savitri_wilder

November 5, 2010

Matt, thanks for the tip (I love your work, btw)! I think it was the manual mode that did it. I was just pushing buttons based on the closest thing to what might be able to trigger an external light. It was luck but good to know exactly what can trigger a studio light!! I set everything back to how it was on the e3 area.

Yes, thought maybe it was the shutter but it wasn't that thus me entering the menu. Hopefully this will not happen again and if it does I'll go straight to the manual mode of the pop-up. Thanks again!

November 5, 2010

Well, I figured it out. I messed around with the bracket settings. The e3, built-in flash mode, was set to -- on the Commander mode. I changed it to TTL and then to M and used each settings with and without the built-in flash and that exercise triggered my light strobe again. I set the Commander mode back to -- and it's now working as usual. Is that something that happens now and then?

November 5, 2010

I've had my light kit (Calumet 200) for almost a year now. It's been working but a few weeks ago I hooked it up to my camera, to the front of my camera with the cable that came with it, and it won't trigger it anymore. The light kit turns on. I can test it and all that and my on body flash still works but no light from the kit when I try to take a photograph.

I don't use it much but it's getting darker here in the UK and it'd be nice if I can take some product pics with it for some work I'm doing.

Is there anything I need to check on the camera?

I haven't tried a new cable to see if that's the problem. I can go to a shop this weekend and see if I can hook it up to another light kit. I only have one. To see if it's the connector on the camera. I hope not cause I'm not sure where to take it in the UK with my US insurance (USAF in the UK for a few years).

Thanks!

August 26, 2010

I thought I replied to Philip but I guess I didn't push the right button or it's still sitting on my laptop... anyhow, thanks for the info!! I REALLY like the Sigma. Saw some photos on Flickr and they do look great!! A read somebody's review on both lenses too and he pretty much said the same thing you did.

Wow D.B., LOTS of great info! Thanks!! I think for now I'll keep the 50mm the way it is. I like it and it works great for a lot of the things I do.

Now, while I don't mind used/refurbished -- my D300's refurb from Adorama and I saved a good deal then and the Tamron was from Photo.net but the seller and I figured out that we were only 30min away and so I got to actually touch the lens before purchase -- I haven't found one that's under $900 for the 85. They've all been around $1000-$1050. I Googled but nothing much came up and so just been looking at Adorama and KEH. I don't want to buy from Ebay and we get paid in dollars here in the UK and so not really wanting to look on the economy for lenses.The 70-200 is around $1500.

I like to aim high. It helps me do better. So yes, I want to one day be really good so that I can get a full-frame body. If I don't get into a Ph.D. program I want to do photography as much as I can. I liked my geek job, still do, but I rather go into something more creative after our tour's over. It's what makes me happy. But, it looks like good lenses don't come down in price much. So I can buy one, use it, and sell it for a little less than what I bought it for. I do want to try to purchase as many DX/FX lenses but if I buy DX one(s) I am sure I'd be able to sell it for a good price if I keep it/them in good condition. Right?

As for the 24-70, I like it but not right now. I can still walk back and forth with my 50mm although I wouldn't mind getting this one day.

August 25, 2010

Mark, totally my fault. The title is misleading. No, not starting out in photography, but in getting fully paid :P I did get all my business paperwork submitted. I just need to put my website up and print some business cards :)

Peter, as for lighting, can you elaborate? I want to use natural light and capture children doing kids' things. It'd be tough setting up a light set-up if the kid is moving around, no?

August 25, 2010

I have a few light kits, reflectors too and all that. My husband's been sweet too me with birthday and Christmas presents :)

I don't use my lighting stuff much though. I am actually not too fond of them. I like natural photography. I do use my flash here and there to balance out some light but that's it. I don't use the reflectors either because it's just me so I've been practicing using the light that I have.

As for workshops and all that, that's a separate budget. The $2,000 I have is strictly for lens. I have (free) access to a few things too since I am an adjunct for a university. Ok, so I'm not totally unemployed but compared to my full-time job a few months ago and teaching what I have now feels like total unemployment.

Matt, thanks for the input! I'll look up the VR1. I thought it was a bit cheaper than what I saw at B&H (VR2).

August 25, 2010

Hi! You all have been very helpful with my previous questions and have been happy with my purchases and activities based on you all's suggestions.

I am now ready to go up to the next level... proper equipments for portrait photography. I want to do part-time/weekend/evening work. It's not that I'm not serious about it but it's because I am now a stay-at-home mom overseas. When the kidlets are older it'd be nice if I can do it full-time. By then I'll have more equipment and paid portfolio to show and a permanent home to start a proper business (we're Air Force). Anyhow, I have been saving and I now have about $2,000 and would like to get nice a lens or maybe two but can't decide which I'd need. So far I've been using the 50mm 1.8 for my portraits. Besides the 50mm I have a 11-16mm Tokina and 17-50mm Tamron which I've been using for our trips -- I am attempting to do better in landscape/travel/building photography (still failing to do well though - I suck in this department but so desperately want good pictures of our time here in Europe!!).

Do I need to upgrade my 50mm? I want to do mostly kids' and if the parents want to with the parent(s) in them but mostly on little people. It's what I'm comfortable with. I like the 50mm because the kid's I've been shooting are kids I know and it's been nice to be able to speak to them up close. So, should I get like a 1.4/1.2?

I've also been looking at the 85mm 1.8/1.4. I've tried the 1.8 before. I really liked it but it was just a few shot and a few days. I can't compare to the 1.4. It seems like the 1.4 is creamier from the Flickr images I've seen. I think this will be good for kids I don't know... gives me a bit more distance from them and aim for that nice bokeh that I've been seeing? Should I spend the money on a 1.4 or no? Or is there a better lens?

The 70-200mm 2.8. It seems like a lot of people who can afford this thing loves it. Is this a must have or will prime lenses do for what I need? Will getting one of this be enough for now until I save up some more? As a note, I am petite. I heard this thing is a beast to carry around!

What is the best starter monitor calibrator? I have a 21" Mac and the 2209 IPS Dell monitor.

Oh, I have a Nikon D300.

Also, does the G/D lens matter?

Thanks everybody and sorry for all the questions. I know it's a lot!!!

May 13, 2010

My daughter who was going through her scrapbook pages. She was sitting on our bay window a bit before sunset.

D300, ISO 640, 50 mm 1.8, f/1.8, 1/80. Post-processed in Lightroom. I do like the noise on this.

February 10, 2010

Martin, the U2711 is a bit steep. I am getting a Macbook too this year and so I need to find the best for the buck -- less or at $2,000 (I am shipping the Macbook to an APO address and with the military discount, no tax and free shipping, I'll be saving a few bucks and will use this money to get my calibration tool).

I do hope to make some money off of my purchases, more in graphics than photography but hey, a lot of moms have asked me to take pics of their kids lately and so who knows, I might do that once or twice a month. I want to still enjoy photography as a hobby (a dang expensive one too, ha!).

February 10, 2010

Thanks for all the responses! Yes, I will be getting a calibration tool. I'm looking at the Spyder 3 Pro/Elite. I can't remember which but it's the least expensive one. The price seems reasonable at B&H although I was going to see if somebody on Ebay wants to get rid of one for less.

February 9, 2010

Summer, thanks for the info. The Dell 3008 seems nice but the Macbook Pro only goes up to 1920x1600.

February 9, 2010

The 2209 seems to have wonderful reviews but it doesn't go up to 1920-1600 resolution.

I am a monitor hog and need space.

I heard tech issues with the Dell and HP (yellow tint/line -- although the line is suppose to be faint) and it's so much more than getting 2-22" at the Dell outlet.

Any help will be appreciated. I do want the better screen for photo editing besides other graphic design work.

Thanks!

February 6, 2010

Hi, I have a 3-yr-old 20" iMac but would like to get a 13" Macbook Pro for portability and to somewhat replace some of the 20" jobs (just a bit slow when working with the Adobe apps). Eventually I'd like to get a 21.5" iMac (or 27" if I find a used one with a warranty still) -- maybe next year but right now I need a laptop, since I don't have one, for different needs.

I'd like an ext. monitor for the 13" but can't afford the Apple one. I read about the Dell 2209wa and the NEC P221 here on the forum but the resolution doesn't go as high as the MacBook (1920x1200). What's the latest best ext. monitor for a MacBook Pro with the 1920x1200 resolution?

Also I am trying to decide which tablet size to get. Should I get the 6x11 or 6x8 with the ext. monitor? I use the 12x17 right now at work with a 30" Apple monitor but not only is it expensive I also don't have the desk space. Plus I'd like to be able to carry it in the laptop bag now and then. I do photo and graphic work. I don't do freehand drawing, just small graphic images.

Thanks!

November 27, 2009

Jose, thanks! I think, after your fine suggestion, I got to getting some good samples.

The samples were not processed. They were the jpeg straight out my camera. That way I, and others, can see what the pics were like as-is.

Yes I have my camera set to neutral. I shoot in RAW and do post processing for the photos I share/print/scrapbook. I'm a web designer and developer... I was in graphics in college... and very familiar with Photoshop so I like to use it to post process. I did purchase Lightroom a few months ago, I'm an educator and got it for only $99, and have been liking it for a lot of what I do. I do sharpen my images more when I post process... either in LR or unsharp mask filter in PS. I've been learning some neat stuff with LR from Julienne Kost: http://www.jkost.com. My photo instructor highly recommended her... she came on campus too one day.

November 26, 2009

K, I think the lense is ok.

Here's a sample:

Rest of set:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrapbit/sets/72157622757396823/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrapbit/sets/72157622757396823/</a>

November 26, 2009

Thanks so much, esp. to Jose with all the deatails! It's gorgeous out. I'll try again. The other days have been overcast and I don't know if the faster ISO made a difference. I don't have a tripod cause I'm visiting family but have been using books or other sturdy none moving items and fast shutter. I've tried different f-stops, mostly 5.6 to 11 although I did a few 2.8 and 4 too.

I read that UWA are softer open wide but I thought also that it should get sharper the smaller the f-stop.

November 25, 2009

I just purchased a Tokina 11-16mm and I need suggestions on how to test for sharpness.

I took some pics and they look soft. If I can get some suggestions I'll try again and I'll share my results to see if it's just my eyes or if I do have a soft copy.

Thanks!!

November 5, 2009

I'm an FB "b" - least that's what my husband said. I don't even add his friends to my FB or cousins I've never met. My FB page is just for my friends (from work too) and family to keep in touch. I have a blog and if you Google my name I think I'm on 10 pages (work or craft related). I'm pretty public and I want a little space that's personal where I can easily post more personal detail... like when our daughter was born a few months ago. If I go back into self employment again and I get regular clients I would consider the fan page. That way I can share specials and things like that on it -- it'll be an extra marketing tool.

Like somebody said, you can create friends groups. The thing is, last time I did that it didn't work. I had a "personal friends" group and share this video. I double checked and actually it's still set up that way but later I got comments from people that weren't in that group. The video wasn't bad but I didn't want people who doesn't know my husband well to think he's insane. So even though nothing bad came out of it I still don't trust that groupie thing.

Rule of thumb is to not post something that you'd regret later. I'm not a big drinker but now and then I'd drink a glass of wine. I won't even take a picture of me with wine on my hand in case a potential client/employer sees it and think of me in a wrong way before even knowing who I am.

November 5, 2009

What's your reasoning for another window/tab to open when you click wedding?

I am a web designer and this is what I learned... if it's still on your page, make all the pages look the same and not open up a new window (or have the URL set to _blank) if you click on a menu option/link within the body/content. If you're linking to another site outside of your website, for example from your site to photo.net, then you should do a _blank.

Also, for the gallery, check this out: http://www.flashgallery.org/

It's free and it's not super hard to set up (at least when I used it some years ago for a client).

November 4, 2009

Wow, great stuff! Very nice and interesting point of views!

These images caught my eyes the most:

Luis: Nice reflection!

Alejandro: Love the view

Ian: Awesome! Would like to try this one day!

Pedro: That is one nice watch

Jonas: You make seaweeds yummy to look at

Louis: The expression is great

Cees: Love the perspective and I'd like to find my style too

Brian: I really like how you process this image

Greg: Were those birds staged? :)

Phil: Creative!

Doug: That's one nice house!

Matt: This is great but I have to say last week's expression was the best of these two :)

Brandon: That's a nice clear shot of Bruce

Issac: Delish! Lovely crisp shot!

L Roth: Gorgeous horses!

Richard: Somehow I love that old man. Nice photo!

My simple photo. I need to start photographing other things/people besides my little M.

D300, 50mm f/1.8. My settings: f/2.8 ISO 320 1/80

November 4, 2009

I was stupid to use the photographer my ex MIL suggested and the pictures were TERRIBLE. The photographer was no professional. Half the photos were underexposed or blury. The ones that were sharp half were not well composed. I was footless, handless, etc. I literally only have four good pictures of that day.

I'm with husband #2. We got married legally but planning a very private ceremony after we've settled into our new home. This time I'm picking my photographer and I'm going to pick the best wedding photojournalism person I can afford.

November 4, 2009

Instead of FrontPage try NVU/Kompozer. Google it and you'll find it. They're free and a lot better than FP. I think they're still fairly easy to use too. FP adds a lot of un-needed codes to your page.

November 4, 2009

Erwin, thanks for your suggestions! You took your time to write such a lengthy explanation and I really appreciate it!

I actually already have a business license but it's for my web design/developing work and not photography. I wonder if I need another one. But, next summer I'll be living in the UK so I'm sure I'll have to register something somewhere.

My class... I'm just auditing right now. I work for a university and I can take classes for free. I took photography in college 13yrs ago with my little manual Minolta. Not into it though... just didn't have the passion for it. It changed after the first child was born five years ago. I dunno, after being a mom things just started changing. I could see through the lens better, feel emotions, and see the good sides of everybody. There's also more of a reason to carry the camera every where I go and capture not just images but my daughter's personalities and feelings at that time.

This thing next year... it's just a goal. I'm a goal oriented person and when I have something written, esp. in public, I tend to do them. That why I want to start practicing so that by then I can see where I'm at next year. If I'm worthy of capturing others' memories I'd have something to show and also a bit of experience working with others besides my kids. My other goal is to start my Ph.D. program next fall. That's my first goal. The photography is just something extra.

November 3, 2009

Hi! I am a photography enthusiast who would like to make a bit of money from this hobby of mine hopefully by the summer of next year (weekend portraits/small weddings). Currently I'm just my kids' paparazzi but would like to be broaden my horizon. I'm thinking of starting out by taking small families or kids (no more than 2 kids/session). I'll move up in numbers as I get more comfortable.

I am taking a photography class now and my instructor said I should never do work for free. Which sounds great but if I'm new and this will be my first non-family shots, I'm doing this to test out my skills working with others, and to build my portfolio, I feel a bit weird charging. So I thought of not charging for the sessions but charge for whatever the cost of printing. I thought of not giving them the files but if they want it, retouched and all, that I'd charge $x/ea. Pretty reasonable, right?

Also, my instructor said it's best if they're people I don't know. But wouldn't it be more comfortable for me if it's people I know first?

What do you think? Any suggestions for a newbie will be greatly appreciated! Oh, each family I work with for my portfolio will need to agree to a model release before the session since it's one main reason I'm wanting to do this... need samples for my future website and stuff.

November 3, 2009

Can you do dashes... like my-business.com instead of mybusiness.com?

For blogs, I use wordpress.org. This is an installed, free, and customizable blogging application. If I wasn't busy I'd offer my service but I can't right now. But if you haven't gone into getting hosting service, I suggest you go and get one that has Fantastico in the control panel or as part of your package. With Fantastico you can just go into your control panel, click Fantastico, select WordPress, click install, confirm it and voila. You have a blog. Of course there's more to it... like customize it so that it reflects your personality and business. Also if you have a website you want to kind of make it similar to your site.

Compare to Blogger, Wordpress.com (this is the none installed version of WordPress) is nice. You have to pay a little bit for some advanced features but it's worth it I think. Another paid one is Typepad.

BUT, all that said, if you're really motivated you can get into Blogger and customize it a bit. You can go into the themes and edit the CSS. I mean that's what you'll have to do if you get WordPress or any other blog app.

Good luck with the name and if you want to find a good hosting company go to webhostingtalking.com. Plop in your hosting company's name that you think you want to go with into the search and read what others say about it.

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