mirzaphotography

May 30, 2010

Thanks guys, great information. I also appreciate the concerns you listed above, I do have them covered (spares and batteries).

Take care,

Bilal

May 29, 2010

I don't work too much with umbrellas or studio setups, and can use a few pointers.

I have:

Nikon D300S

1 - SB-900

1 - SB-600

2 - Lightstands with hotshoe mounting

2 - Shoot thru umbrellas

I wanted to take some headshots of employees at the foot of a spiral staircase. The ceilings are very high, so bouncing off of them is out of the question.

Could somebody please suggest ways for me to position the lighting. I know there is no ONE answer for this question, but I'd like to start somewhere and experiment from there. I have about a month left til the shoot.

Thanks,

Bill

February 10, 2010

Good call David, I found myself slightly unprepared for the final walk down the aisle. The priest ended the ceremony and I was caught a little off guard, and then I was walking backwards to frame the shot. I have about 6 other shots of that walk, and they are focused better. As for the alignment, I will probably adjust it in PP.

Thanks!

February 10, 2010

Hey everyone,

I had about 600 good shots from the wedding I shot this past weekend. I thought I'd share some of my work with you all and see what you think.

A little background on my equipment before you view it:

D300S

85/1.8 and 17-55/2.8

SB-900

I created a folder in my profile, with a photo folder called Weddings. Here's the link to the slideshow: http://www.photo.net/photodb/slideshow?folder_id=955459

Thanks in advance! Bilal

February 9, 2010

This is always a good read:

<img src="file:///C:/Users/Bilal/Pictures/Catie%20Wedding/Full%20Collection/asp.JPG" alt="" /> <img src="file:///C:/Users/Bilal/Pictures/Catie%20Wedding/Full%20Collection/asp.JPG" alt="" /> http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

February 9, 2010

P.S.... I just became a paid member of Photo.net. :)

February 8, 2010

I'll have to check the info on the shots, but I'm pretty sure it was set at ISO 200, f2.8.

I was bouncing over my left shoulder with no diffuser, I think that might have been the cause of it.

February 8, 2010

Hey everyone,

I want to thank all of you for helping prepare for my first big job (I shot it this past Saturday). The job was very successful and I implemented a lot fo the advice you all had given me leading up to the date.

The lens suggestions of 85/1.8 and 17-55/2.8 were a perfect combo. My rented SB-900 provided perfect bouncing, I loved the 360 degree head rotation. I was able to whip up a really quick slideshow of the ceremony to be projected for the reception, the bride loved all the shots.

One lesson learned...

The SB-900 overheated, midway thru the first dance (YIKES!!). I didn't read the manual ahead of time and it really freaked me out to see that the SB900 was temporarily out of service. Luckily I had a SB600 as my backup and it filled in perfectly.

I will edit and post a link to the pics sometime this week... you guys are like my virtual mentors and I would really appreciate your professional critique. Although the bride is satisfied with what she saw already (unedited) I still want to keep improving on my work.

Thanks!

Bilal

February 4, 2010

Well I went to Ritz tonight to check out the Manfrotto... but the heads were sold out :( I had to settle on their store brand Quantaray tripod (which doubles as a monopod which can be removed from the assembly). Definitely not as impressive as the Manfrotto, but it will get the job done for now.

Thank you all for your advice, I will be practicing all day with my tripod technique. Wish me luck!

February 3, 2010

Hey everyone,

Today around 6pm, I had a chance to do a walk thru of the church where an upcoming ceremony will be held. I didn't have my 85 1.8 on hand so I rolled with the 50 1.8 instead. Shooting at ISO 1600, 1/30th, 1.8 I was getting some pretty decent shots. When I cranked it up to around 2.8, shutter became a little too slow to capture a good shot handheld.

This was all without any daylight (the actual ceremony will be between 1-2pm). I have been told that flash will be allowed, but with such high ceilings and no good bounce surfaces, I'm trying to avoid it.

I want to be cautious and not rely on the daylight or my flash too much, and trying to plan for my worst case scenario (darkness and just house lights). So, my 3 options are handheld, tripod and monopod...

- Tripod will be a little too much of a hassle especially since I'll be doing most of my shots from the center aisle.

- I've never shot with a monopod before... is it possible to shoot horizontally and vertically with it (e.g. pivoting head)? Can those of you who regularly use monopods please tell me the pros and cons you feel about them?

Thanks in advance!

Bill

January 28, 2010

I asked a very similar question with pretty much the same list of equipment recently:

http://www.photo.net/wedding-photography-forum/00Va71

I will be rolling with the 17-55 on my primary, 85 1.8 on my secondary, 50 1.8 in my pocket. Decided not to go with the 70-200 this time around because of the advice given.

January 28, 2010

Thank you all... I will try out and see how it goes.

January 28, 2010

Thank you Carlos.... thats a very useful and informative response!

January 28, 2010

Can someone help me with a lighting setup? For example:

D300

SB-600

SB-900

2 Lightstands with white bounce umbrellas

I know the D300 can be set to Commander mode, but how exactly does that work? Is there a radio signal or some kind of visual trigger that sets off the flashes? If it's visual... how exactly does that work?

If I wanted to setup a shot of a group of people on a staircase, what would be the ideal way to set that up?

I hope this is enough information without causing too much confusion. I do most of my shooting outdoors so this is something I want and need to learn.

Thanks,

Bill

January 25, 2010

Thanks for all the input everyone... I'm going to roll with the 17-55 on one and 85 1.8 on the other (both D300S' with SB-600s).

@RT, thank you for clarifying about the moderate flash usage. That sounds like a very realistic description of what they define it to be.

Really great input from everyone, as usual. I really appreciate it.

January 23, 2010

Hey everyone,

This is sort of a follow up question to one I had already posted about which equipment I would need for my first BIG event.

I will be taking my two D300S' on this shoot, ceremony at a Catholic church where my limit will be up to the railing of the altar, and flash photography will be allowed as long as it is used in moderation.

Here are the lenses I have or plan to rent:

18-200 kit (not even going to use this but bringing it as an absolute last resort)

50 1.8

Rent 17-55 2.8

Rent 70-200 2.8

Rent 85 1.8 (as suggested by Nadine)

My question is: Do I really need the 70-200? I've heard so many people say that they almost primarily shoot with their 17-55. Close access to the bride groom doesn't seem to be a problem. The weight of the 70-200 can sometimes feel like you're at the gym lifting weights. And the rental price tag is something I would like to avoid if its not absolutely a must-have.

Thanks,

Bill

January 19, 2010

Once again guys, you are an absolute amazing wealth of useful knowledge. I really appreciate it! All great comments and suggestions, and from that I can start taking a look at my rental options. Thank you again!

January 19, 2010

I will be shooting an event where the hall has a beautiful spiral staircase where the bride groom want to take some group shots pre-reception. The ceiling is very high, and I need to know what it'll take for me to get good lighting.

I have the following: 1 - 7 ft light stand

1 - SB-600 (firing remotely via D300s)

1 - Silver reflector umbrella

The camera's pop-up flash will be triggering the SB-600 so that's technically 2 light sources. Do I need a 3rd on the opposite side of the SB-600?

Thanks! Bill

January 19, 2010

Hey all,

You guys have been so super helpful with all your answers in my previous posts, so I knew where to turn to in order to avoid an anxiety attack :)

I have worked a handful of weddings that would be considered small scale, and my portfolio has finally caught someone's eye for a big wedding. I want to throw my mental checklist at you guys and you guys let me know where I'm lacking.

Bodies: Two D300s With 1 spare battery each

Lenses: 50/1.8 18-200

Lens Rental options: 12-24 2.8 / 17-55 2.8 / 70-200 2.8 VR Undecided between getting the 12-24 or the 17-55... anyone wanna make a good case for either?

Media: CF Primary slot, SD Backup slot Any suggestions for CF cards?

Case: Lowepro Stealth D300AW

Strobe: 1 - SB-600

Other equipment: 1 - light stand 1 - silver bounce umbrella 1 - standard tripod

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The event will take place in a catholic church, wedding hall and some pre-ceremony shots in a restaurant where the couple met.

There's the list folks... what do you think of my setup? Please suggest where you feel that I'm lacking and how to improve upon it.

Thank you! Bill

January 15, 2010

Hey there, I wanted feedback from D300(s) users regarding their Noise Reduction settings. Which mode do you set your NR to? Where have you found the best results?

Thanks,

Bill

January 14, 2010

I will be heading to Van Hoosen Farm in Rochester Hills, MI this weekend with some old friends. I was hoping for a nice snowy landscape, but theres a possibility the snow may melt by Sunday.

There is a nice red barn on location, and a gazebo too... any idea for props that I can include into this shoot? If there was snow, I was going to incorporate a rustic old sled.

Thanks,

Bill

January 12, 2010

I need to know the most efficient storage system for consolidating my equipment for easy transportation. I was thinking a gym bag, but it may look too tacky and unprofessional, and it won't protect my equipment well.

Here's a list of what I have:

Nikon D300s

Nikon 50 1.8d

Nikon 18-200

Nikon SB-600 Flash

Tripod

1 - Light stand

1 - umbrella

Are there any specific cases that you use that help protect your gear, allow for easy access and portability?

Thanks in advance!

Bill

January 10, 2010

@Sheldon - Ahh yes I forgot to mention my lens, 50 1.8D :) Thanks for the link... is it just me or do some of those positions look extremely uncomfortable?

@Devon - Thanks for the info, I'll go visit my local mom and pop camera shop and check out their umbrella/stand selection.

January 10, 2010

I don't do any studio work at all, most of my stuff is outdoors. My friends recently had a baby and they want me to take some "studio-type" shots of her.

Here's what I'm working with:

1 - D300s

1 - SB-600 Flash

1 - 3' round reflector with mutliple surfaces like silver, white, gold..etc.

My friends also have a sliding glass door that will let in good light, but its in the kitchen.

Will it be possible for me to get some decent shots with JUST this? I would love to add to my arsenal, and if you guys would like to suggest any affordable equipment that will improve my lighting capabilities, I'm all ears.

Thanks,

Bill

January 8, 2010

Wow... I don't think I've ever heard this put so simply. Kudos! I posted a link to this in the Beginner's section for a guy who just asked.

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