keithdunlop

This is what the Fotomagico help menu says about DVD quality:

 

"FotoMagico will not burn the DVD, but prepare a QuickTime movie file that gets sent to and processed by iDVD or Toast. It is due to this second conversion process that quality will suffer significantly given the current limitations of the MPEG-2 stream format. If you need better quality than the predefined process delivers, we recommend thorough reading into QuickTime encoding, available compression types for images and audio as well as constant versus variable bit rates."

Digital B&W is still RGB, so your existing calibration covers you.

When you start a new slideshow, Fotomagico allows you to set the format to 4:3 or 16:9 widescreen. A 4:3 format DVD should show with a Pillarbox appearance rather than stretching, so I'm not sure what's happening there. However, as the software suggests, you should always create your DVD to match your intended media target (the Help menu is VERY good in describing all of this).

 

Regarding why the DVD on TV looks pixelated: that's just how it is. A TV screen will never display your still images to their full resolution because it simply can't. It has nothing to do with the software used to make the DVD. Also, your image file sizes are fine

 

I find that the slideshows from Fotomagico that look the best are the HD720 Quicktime movies viewed on a computer (caution - these take a long time to render). You can also give clients with Macs a movie file with an embedded Fotomagico player that looks great when played on a Mac.

 

Again, Fotomagico has a very good help menu and I suggest that you read through it thoroughly. Most all of your questions can be answered there.

If you run a Mac, use FotoMagico. (ProShow Gold only runs on PC's).

With regards to your question about transferring the host from your South African company to Blu Domain, what you need to do is change the DNS name server information with the registrar of your domain, which may or may not be the same company providing your web hosting. That will redirect your traffic to your new servers with Blu Domain. When I did mine the Blu Domain name servers were "dns2354.dizinc.com" and "dns2355.dizinc.com". If you can get your name servers changed it may speed up going live once Blu Domain sets up your site.

I use Leather Craftsmen for my flush-mount albums, and they also offer a great selection of traditional matted albums. If your wants a high-end "heirloom" quality album, you want to get your products from a quality book binder.

Thanks Michael and Marc!

 

I haven't touched the system in nearly three years since going digital with my Nikon D2x's. Plus I don't have my darkroom anymore and am not processing film. I could really use the extra funds for some upcoming marketing expenses, so I'm willing to take the hit and at least wring some value out of it. But you're right - I loved the system when I was using it and it's too bad the bottom has dropped so badly out of the MF film market.

 

Anyway - thanks for your suggestions.

You could always just call them on the phone. Freestyle is still a great little supply store in the Hollywood region of L.A. and the folks are very helpful. Ordering over the phone is super easy.

I've been using Vuescan to archive all of my older 35mm transparencies with my Coolscan V, and I have noticed that the raw scans (DNG format) are much cooler than the originals. However, it's a very easy matter of adjusting the WB on the scans in Lightroom (or other post-processing software) to the raw files. As long as the density and tonal range (judged by the histogram) is accurate to the original, the white balance of the raw scan file is a minor concern which I know I can adjust later.

In Lightroom, go to Edit > Select by Flag, and choose your criteria.

Sheldon,

 

Thank you "Capt. Obvious". Of course I've looked at eBay listing. I was hoping for a little more informed opinions from photo.net medium format users, but thank you so much for your unique insight.

To follow-up on Daniel's post:

 

The best way to get Photoshop on the cheap is to register for a class at your local community college, then go to academicsuperstore.com, send them a copy of your registration form, buy academic priced software, then cancel your class and enjoy your cheap software.

Instead of "assuming", you need to ask your client what they mean by "digital album". As other posters have stated, a digital album could mean a flush-mount album that is designed from digital composites. But, since your client also asked about a "print" album, it's hard to know if they want a digital DVD of their wedding pictures plus a printed album, or if they want a Flash slideshow of composite album pages. You need more information from your client.

 

P.S. It would help to know what type of product you were marketing when you were asked these questions.

I have a mint condition Mamiya RZ Pro II kit with a 90mm and 180mm lens, as well

as a 120 back and 645 back, and L-grip holder. What would a fair market value be

for the kit. (and BTW, if anyone is interested, email me).

 

Thanks,

 

Keith

I have mixed feelings about this issue, partly because I have a lawyer for a wife. On the one hand, I have learned that brides are very fickle and some are very educated on ways of "working' vendors to get the best possible deal. Case-in-point, I had one recent couple who "chose" my studio to shoot their wedding and took up many hours of my time negotiating discounts and deciding on services and logistics, only to use that information to book a better deal with a competitor.

 

Keep in mind that contracts can be binding on a verbal basis, and the term "tortuous interference" is a serious issue. If your former employer really believed that a verbal contract existed, then your poaching of the client might be considered actionable by a small claims court judge.

 

Now that my wife has left the room I will tell you that your former employer may be annoyed with you, but would likely not consider the loss of one client to you worth the trouble of suing you, but I would most definitely decline the business as an ethical concern. Just because you "can" do something, doesn't mean you "should".

I offer a no time limit service to my clients, so I'm there for the entire day - sometimes as long as 10-12 hours. That being said, I average 2,500 shots per wedding, weeded down to about 500-600 online proofs. Of those, I pick 75 or so for the album design.

If you have purchased music from iTunes with DRM, you cannot simply convert to MP3. You will see a dialog box that states that the action is prohibited. If you ripped a CD and imported to your iTunes library, and you told iTunes to import as an MP3 and then you're OK. Those files would not have DMR protection. If the file is in iTunes ACC format, you must burn to a CD in MP3 format, then re-rip. However, you would be violating copyright if the song was purchased from iTunes. The "advanced" option in the "Preferences" menu allow you to select the format of your rips and burns.

First and foremost, I will assume that you are taking a meeting because you genuinely want the business. If not, you should not waste the time of your clients. You should also have an idea beforehand about what type of business model you want to market. With that framework, the meeting should focus on the critical areas: your clients needs, establishing a personal relationship, and the delivery of your product. You are certainly free to dictate how the photography will go (i.e. adhering to your standards) as a business model, but you also need to understand that this is largely a customer service business.

 

When I'm meeting with a couple for the first time, I spend the first few minutes asking a lot of questions of them about the logistics of their wedding day, and what they expect in terms of the photography. I also ask if they have ideas about style, or if they have a favorite photographer who's work they have seen. Many times my clients want to hire the $10,000 photographer, but due to budget issues they have found me due to similarities in style. This is important information for me to know up front. Many brides will also print image samples from other photographers and paste them into their planning binders, and if they have, I ask to see them. This way, I know whether my style and working manner will fit with their event, and I can anticipate what aspects of my service to emphasize. Usually they have already seen my work on my website, so this meeting is more about establishing a personal relationship. One the important things for couples to know is that you are genuinely interested in shooting their wedding, and by getting information from them at first, I set that tone.

 

Then I discuss how I work in general, and how I would incorporate their ideas into my workflow. I want my clients to be a part of the planning of an image concept so the process is more of a collaboration, rather than me trying to sell a "product". I make it a point to emphasize my interest in their ideas. All couples I have met with have appreciated this approach.

 

It's usually pretty apparent this point whether I'm the right photographer for the client, and many times I will be the one to suggest that they keep looking and interviewing other people.

 

If things are going well, lastly, we go through some sample albums and discuss fees and general contract terms. I never allow a couple to book at the first meeting, but rather I suggest that they consider everything, and make sure that they talk to as many photographers as possible to insure that they make the best decision.

 

I follow-up with a "thank you" email, and wait for the phone call. Beyond the courtesy thank you for the meeting, I never chase prospective clients.

Breanne,

 

I am a wedding photographer located in San Luis Obispo. I will need a new assistant for the upcoming Spring wedding season. Please contact me in early April and we can arrange an interview for you.

 

Keith A. Dunlop

www.kdiphoto.com

I give my clients the full sized JPEG's without downsizing. My clients expect (and pay for) for full image versions. Many times it requires burning two DVD's to accomplish because many people do not have dual-layer drives.

 

I know that many photographers limit the size of client JPEGS in order to drive additional print sales, but most clients see this as an annoying way to nickel-and-dime them for more money. I set my front-end prices appropriately so that I do not have to rely on back-end print sales, which in my experience, are an unpredictable source of income.

You're going to need far more than just one additional lens before you start to consider wedding work! Your stated $300 - $400 budget may get you a reasonably fast fixed focal length lens for portraits ($340.00 for the 85mm 1.8) but for wedding work you will need pro quality wide zoom and telephoto zoom in 2.8 versions - minimum $3,000.00. I'm not even going to begin a discussion about your body upgrades (two pro level bodies), plus strobes.

 

In response to the poster that stated that your current lens is fine for portraits, I have to strongly disagree. If you want professional quality portraits with a short depth of field and a smooth background bokeh, you must have a much faster lens with better optical quality than the throw-away lens that you got with your pro-sumer body/lens bundle for $1,400.00.

 

I would advise that an 85mm prime would be a great way to start down the path of higher quality portraits, but you're a very large investment in both equipment and experience before you can consider wedding work.

I am professional photographer based in San Luis Obispo and I would also recommend that you do not over look coastal areas between Pismo Beach and San Simeon. There are many stunning locations for photography including the Morro Bay estuary, Montana de Oro, Cambria, and the coastal areas along the San Simeon area.

I'm looking for people who have used SlideShowPro's Lightroom module to create

Flash galleries for the web. I'm specifically interested in the ease of creating

the slideshow in Lightroom, then publishing it within an existing html document.

In other words I want to drop the SWF file into a table cell on my web site so I

can maintain my existing banner and navigation bars created in Dreamweaver.

When I bought my new site from BluDomain this year, it took a few days for them to respond to the faxed contract papers, but after that I had nothing but excellent service. After they acknowledged my sign-up forms I was live in less than a day. They didn't even get around to sending me a PayPal invoice for about a week after I went live. Also, for me the site interface they provide for uploading images and customizing content was well worth a few days wait for it to get set up. I have never needed to use support since I went live, and my new site has worked flawlessly since I went live. So, I'm a very happy customer, but based on many other reports I may have just gotten very lucky!

Following a bridal faire I got a call from a potential bride who "loved" my work

and wanted to book me and said her budget was "x". After a series of questions

answered by email, she sent a message stating that her budget was actually a bit

less and can I "give her a discount" and still provide everything she wants

including an engagement session and wedding album. I agreed to the discounts

because it was a Friday wedding and would not effect my ability to book another

wedding that weekend. I then spent over an hour on the phone with the bride

answering every question under the sun, culminating with an agreement to book. A

few days after sending the contract and deposit invoice, I received an email

from the bride saying:

 

"I came across another photographers page today that made my jaw hit the floor.

He is very similar to your work. When I think of my wedding photos i.e: Color,

style, movement, emotion etc. These photos are what come to mind. I really enjoy

your personality and want to work with you but I wanted to know if you can do me

a big favor and view his wedding and engagement galleries and see what you think!"

 

I politely replied saying that it is not my practice to copy other photographers

work and that they should continue their search for another photographer since

it appeared that they had not made a final decision. Following this exchange we

met a few days later, they repeated how much they loved my work, and after a 3

hour meeting they agreed to book and forward a deposit check on December 1st. On

December 7th I sent a reminder email to which I got a response saying that they

were "putting the wedding on the back burner" and would make all deposits after

the first of the year.

 

I got the sense from the beginning that I was dealing with a couple that could

not afford me and was stringing me along and I foolishly permitted it. Now I

think I just want to cut the cord. Advice?