elizabeth_russell1

<p>So I finally bought the FlexTT5 and combined it with the ST-E2 on top for AF assistants and it works great! :)</p>

<p>Well during receptions I usually set up 1 or 2 strobes if its a big enough reception hall and use one 580 that my assistant carries around with him to fill in light. If its a smaller reception hall I usually set up about 3 580's, 2 around the dance floor and one with my assistant. :)</p>

<p>I have a lot of problems with my 580's communication. Even when I shoot with the 580exII on camera and set it to master, my slaves are very unreliable. I don't need to shoot with the wizards indoors, but it definitely helps light up a room as I can bounce flashes off the walls. I've attached an example. This photo was shot a 1.6 1/250 at 100 ISO, impossible with 580's to light up the whole room at 100 ISO</p><div></div>

<p>I posted a forum a while back about having issues with AF assist for low light situations with my 50D. Didn't seem to get a solution. Now I'm shooting with a 5D Mark II.</p>

<p>My problem is, that in very low light situations like, candle light receptions or very dark reception halls with DJ's crazy lights in the background my camera is having a hard time finding my subject. I only use off camera lighting, usually a combination of strobes and 580's for fill in light at receptions. So I have enough light, I just have a problem focusing. </p>

<p>Since there is no af assist beam from my camera, and pocket wizards don't supply it either. I find myself having to put my flash on my camera and shooting master/slave with other 580's. The problem with that is the infrared is not a reliable form of communication between my flashes, so I end up with inconsistent light. I also then can't use my strobes to bounce off the walls and get better lighting. I would manually focus, but honestly I can't even see to focus in some of these very dark situations. I find that I can focus quickly with the af assist beam from my 580 or st-e2, but I just don't like the lighting results. </p>

<p>Sooo, here's what I'm thinking. Could I get the FlexTT5 and put the ST-E2 on top of it for AF assistance, and then use my Multi Max pocket wizards to recieve for my flashes? Has anyone ever tried this, does it work? Or does anyone have any other suggestions like another kind of attachment for AF Assist, while still being able to use my Multi Max?</p>

<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated as this is a major problem at about 15% of my weddings!</p>

<p>I'm not sure why Canon doesn't have the af assist light in camera. That's ridiculous. I really never shoot on camera flash, there's always a pocket wizard on top of my camera so covering up the flash and using its af assist beam for focus really wouldn't work because its not on top of my camera. I actually just got my 5D Mark II ... I'm guessing it doesn't have AF assist beam either?</p>

<p>After researching a little more.. I'm considering possibly getting a FlexTT5 and putting a st-e2 on top(only to serve as some kind of focus assistance and then would it still fire my flashes with my multi max hooked up to them?.. Think this will work? Got any other recommendations? </p>

<p>Ok so, I pretty much always shoot off camera lighting with pocket wizards. There are low light situations that I need some kind of light assist in auto focusing(such as the ones on a 580ex when you are shooting on camera). I was watching a friend of mine shoot the other day and his nikon, and it shot out a little light from the timer light to help him focus. Does the 50D do this, if so how do I set that up? Or if not does anyone have any attachments they would recommend that will do this and still allow me to use my pocket wizards?</p>

<p>I've attached a photo of the light I was talking about. </p>

<p>On a side note, I'm also going to be upgrading to the 5D mark II so if you have any advice concerning some focus assistance for that camera, I would gladly take it as well.</p><div></div>

<p>I've been looking around for an Album/DVD case. I'd really like an album around the size of 8x10, (flush mount or coffee doesn't matter) that has a place to put a DVD in the front or back. Doesn't have to be anymore than 5 to 10 pages. I want to use this for a press packet and I really want the pictures and DVD to be connected. I just don't want to send a DVD case and an album separately, I want this to stand out a little more to the viewer. Anyone know of such an album/dvd case?</p>

<p>I have a bridal show coming up and I was wanted to make sure the album got here in time. They were extremely helpful in rushing my payment and getting it to me. BTW.. i freaking love the album, it is by far my favorite out of all my albums. The quality is amazing. I hate that you guys have had so many problems.. hopefully I wont because I really want to continue using their books.</p>

<p>I'm working on my website and I wanted to get some feedback to what I've done so far. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.<br>

www.ellysphotography.com<br>

Thanks, Elly</p>

<p>Awesome thanks, the funny thing is... I don't even watch horror movies. I don't like them, but I like to envision stuff like this and execute it. Wierd I know. I think my imagination is so rediculous already that if I watched stuff like that I'd never leave my house and have guns everywhere for protection. I'm paranoid enough as is. lol. Not sure what the look from "saw" is but I'll google image it. :)</p>

<p>I just did a photo session that was really out of my element. It was for a class project and I just wanted to get some feedback before I turn it in. I created a whole album with more prints, so if you have time check them out and let me know what you think. If not here is just one. :) Thanks!</p><div></div>

<p>Hey guys I just finished my paper and turned it in if you want to read it. Again thank you so much for all the responses.<br>

here's the link:<br>

http://viewer.zoho.com/docs/vBUuf</p>

<p>Hmm.. I kind of had a problem with the maid of honor once. <br>

When we arrived to the location the bride wasn't there yet and the maid of honor was bossing the caterer around, I knew right then that there would probably be trouble.<br>

The guy that was over the location asked me if I thought the lights should be on during the ceremony, so I took some test shots both ways and told him I thought it would be better if they were, but it was up to the bride. The maid of honor stepped in immediately and said there's no way she wants the lights on, she wants it to be dark and romantic. So I as politely as I could, said that's fine I'll make sure and double check when she gets here and show her the difference... then as soon as the bride arrived the maid of honor made a huge deal and said the photographer needs to see you right now about the lighting upstairs, then proceeded to tell the bride her opinion on it. I was like geez i'm not trying to stress her out, I could have asked her when she had a moment to breeth (this all in my head). But anyhow, so I ask her and the whole time the MOH is voicing her opinion. So then the bride just decided she wanted them off.. i think she just didn't want to deal with the confrontation.. fun stuff.<br>

Then throughout the day she just made little catty comments. A lot of them were directed towards my sister who was helping me with lighting (and by the way, was just doing her job and very polite, even to her). My sister is really pretty so.. i dunno.. maybe some jealousy? I dunno, the comments were very highschoolish, i just tried to ignore them and do my job.<br>

Anyhow, after the wedding she approached my second photographer and said that we were in the way during the cake cutting and that she couldn't see it happening. Generally I try to stay out of the way, but during the cake cutting everyone crowds around (in a small area in this case- genious) so the only way to capture it is to be in front. There we're plenty of people on the sides that could see. We had tons of compliments at this wedding from the wedding party to random guest and of course the bride and groom. However, she was extremely hard to work with the entire day and ultimately dissatisfied with our services.<br>

That was the only time I've really ever had a problem or anyone complain about us being in the way. I thought back and couldn't really think of a better place to stand where we'd be guarenteed to capture the moment?<br>

Also, not that I want to stress out the bride and groom, but if there is something hindering me from doing my job I'd rather approach "my boss" and let them handle it. Then if there is a problem later on I got the ok from the person who signed the contract. If its something that I think I can handle otherwise I will, but I would rather avoid a lawsuit later on for offending a guest or not being able to do my job. Generally the boss is the bride and everyone listens to her, so it comes out a lot better from her than some photographer everyone just met.</p>

<p>I do take quite a few photos (around 60 final product) of the Bride and Groom and usually find myself wishing i could have done more afterwards. We usually take about 2 hours to take bridal portraits pre-wedding day and thats just of the bride. What sense does it make that we only have 15-30 minutes for just the couple? <br>

I try to convince my couples to see each other before, but being in the "bible belt" thats just a tradition most aren't willing to break. When they do actually break it and do all the photo's before its so much more relaxing. Everyone seems more relaxed, especially myself. It's nice to have those out of the way and just go strait to the reception after the ceremony. And if you happen to see a pretty sunset or something you want to shoot afterwards you still have time in between. <br>

I'm also very interested in destination weddings because they usually don't have receptions allowing a lot more freedom and time for photo's. As for those traditional weddings, just try to get as much done beforehand as possible, and tell them to allow time for pictures in between. Cocktail hours (if they can afford it) are very nice, and help everyone not have to be so rushed.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the help guys, I'm still writing so if anyone else has something to ad that would be great. I'm going to post my paper on here after I'm done, you'll find a lot of qoutes from you guys. :)</p>

<p>awesome, that helps a lot. Anybody else? The more people the better so I can back up my "theories" :)<br>

Also another question that came to mind is how many finished photo's did you use to offer with film for a wedding vs. now with digital?</p>

<p>Hey guys,<br>

I'm a student at the art institute and have a paper to write about How digital photography affected wedding photography. I'd like to get some feedback from some wedding photographers who have shot weddings in both film and digital. Or maybe some who still shoot film and why they haven't switched?<br>

Here's some questions:<br>

What years were you in the wedding photography business? (ex. 1985-present)<br>

<br /> Do you use film photography or digital photography or both?<br>

<br /> What major differences did you see in shooting a wedding with a film camera and then digital?<br>

<br /> Do you think digital photography helped the wedding industry or hurt it? If you think it hurt it how?<br>

<br /> How about workflow, do you spend more time or less on your weddings now vs. with film?<br>

Quality, do you think the quality of your work is better now or then?<br>

If you think of anything else you'd like to ad just let me know.<br>

Any feedback would be greatly appreaciated! :)</p>

<p>Ahh.. my first flash ever.. Metz 45. I loved that flash. I forgot about it. When I went Ettl it was obsolite so I got rid of it. Hmmm that is a thought, I think I might get a couple of those again. :) Thanks everyone for all the advice! :)</p>

<p>hmm.. what is the advantage of the Metz 58af vs. the viv 283/285? I have two 580 ex II already and if I ever want to go back to ETTL I'll just use those. I have a light meter so I'm good on exposure. I just need(want) some more portable flashes to add in. The more powerful obviously the better so if I need it, its there. The Viv. we're definetely in my price range but if there's a huge difference I don't want to go with cheap now and pay later?</p>

<p>I'm a canon user and just switched from using the st-e2 wireless to pocket wizards. So all my flash shooting will be in manual. So I don't feel like I need the ETTL any longer. So my question is which would be a better flash, the SB 800 or 580 ex II? Or if anyone has any other suggestions I would gladly take them :) I've looked at the quantum x5d-r and it a little out of my price range. I just need a powerful handheld flash that I can adjust manually (quickly). I photograph weddings and time is everything. Any advice would be appreciated :)</p>

Ok I think this is my last question......

I'm looking at the pocketwizard multimax transceiver because it seems to give more control.

If I get it I will be using it with my alien bees B400 and 580 I or II flashes.

Would I need to get a pocketwizard multimax transceiver for each flash or just the camera?

Is there anything else I would need such as cables..etc?

To avoid problems I'd go ahead and refund them their print money. I came across similar problems with clients

waiting up to a year and half to place their album and print orders. So I decided to put this in my contract. <br>

"7. All orders including the fulfillment of your package must be placed within 2 months after they have been

uploaded online. Likewise all order must be picked up at the studio within 2 months of there availability.

Failing to do either of these will result in forfeiting your package. You will be notified through e-mail or a

phone call" <br>

This has saved me a lot of headache and has put a deadline on the clients to get their orders into me within a

reasonable time frame.

Thanks for all the advice guys! :)

I've done a little research and I'm still torn.. goodness with all the technology out there you would think we

could get some transmitters that transmitted ttl without having to connect it to a flash. grr.. I still am not

sure that I understand everything but I think I'm getting closer... anymore advice would be greatly appreciated

(again) :P

I think shooting in ETTL is important to me because of what I do. I don't have a lot of time to set up and I

usually shoot between 1500-2500 images a wedding (6-10 hrs)

My problem with the Pocket wizard is I would have to manually control my flashes... (can I control them with the

pocket wizard?) Do any of you guys shoot heavy at wedding and events with this and how difficult do you find it

to keep manually changing the flash and how do you do that?

FreeXwire transmitter on www.qtm.com. --- hmm.. isn't that basically the same thing as the radio poppers you

connect the transmitter to the flash? Wouldn't it be better just to buy radio poppers since I already have some

580 ex's and 580 ex II? Is the power that much different?

Radiopoppers--- I've really enjoyed not having to have a heavy flash on my 40D w/ my battery grip and heavy L

lenses. I shoot way to long to have all this heavy equipment.... i suppose if that's the only way? I know I'm

probably way off but if it just needs to read the ettl from the flash couldn't it read it from a st-e2 instead?

CyberSyncs- I have one of those with my alienbee studio set up ... but I suppose I wouldn't get the ettl from

that either.... It's range is only 400ft.. I would probably opt for the pocket wizard if its not that time

consuming to adjust manually.... sigh... this is frustrating

Hi I photograph weddings and I'm currently using a couple 580 ex II and st-e2 transmitters for lighting.

The problems I'm coming across are:

Sometimes I'm unable to get enough power from to light a room or the subject

Occasionally I'd like to put the flash directly behind the subject or just not have to have them right in the

sight of the transmitter. I'd like a system that doesn't have to be so close to fire.

Also I'm using gary fongs lightosphere but its still not completely even lighting. I'd like somethings a little

more even, maybe even some small softboxes?

Some of these problems could be user errors but if anyone has any suggestions on another system that works for

them please let me know. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!