mindy_van_hecke1

<p>So I made the mistake in my first studio foray of trusting the advice on the internet that its fine to just use a sheet. Wrinkle city! It was a post processing nightmare to try and get them looking good. Now I want to get it right with the backrounds from the beginning. I struggled with wrinkles and size- she was a dancer and was fully extended and it was hard to keep away from the edges of the backdrop so my questions are:<br>

<br /><strong>1. Size</strong>- I will do <strong>family photos</strong> and kids, so how big do I need? I love the pattern in these <br /><a href="http://rockthedrops.com/?p=383" target="_blank">http://rockthedrops.com/?p=383</a> but the biggest size they have is 60x96, will this be big enough? What to you think is the ultimate size for family photos in a studio?<br /><br /><strong>2. Material-</strong> I want to do one cool pattern and one plain white. What <strong>fabric</strong> have people used that <strong>doenst show wrinkles and seams</strong> (since so few come in 108" besides muslin)? Anybody with experience with velour, crushed velvet, felt, flannel,..... I would love to hear about and see your backdrops! The only things I see in 108" fabric is muslin and it seems wrinkly to me, so I am expecting some sewing.<br /><br /></p>

<p>http://mindyvanhecke.smugmug.com/People/Dancer-Rachel/untitled-shoot-1235/1189873314_rMvZi-M.jpg</p>

<p>Thanks so much. I am really wondering if there is a difference between just Uploading and Publishing. Or is "Publishing" just their way of uploading and really the same thing- just a different way of saying it? By using the publish feature am I creating extra that is taking more time? Because it seems to take alot of time and if there is a faster more straightforward way to do it I want to make sure I am do it correctly. <br>

Michael- How long does it take you to upload using those? For example the photos I "published" today using the publish plugin in LR took about 20 minutes for 70 pics. <br>

Thanks :) </p>

 

<p>I cant seem to figure out what is going on with exporting from lightroom (3.2) to smugmug. I just want to send a folder in its entirety to SM. So far I have gone to the SM button selected create gallery and then click publish. Im just confused because I read that "publish" creates a "connection" between LR and SM and it seems to take a really long time to publish. Is publish really just exporting or does it do something more. I dont need a "connection" I just want the quickest way to get my photos to SM so I can share and order prints. I spent a few hours now doing this and have found plenty of references but this basic question is still not clear to me. Thanks for your help! Much appreciated.</p>

<p>Ok good- guess Im not missing anything- I thought maybe there was some way I didnt know about besides guide numbers and trial and error. Thanks much!<br>

What am I losing if my speedlite is on ETTL and not manual. Is there any reason I should not use ETTL? </p>

<p><strong>David S.</strong> -Body Im shooting with is Rebel XTI. <br>

<strong>Geoff F. </strong> I have a 50mm 1.4 L that I adore- just cant get everthing I want in the shot sometimes so wanted to get a good lowlight zoom also. That big range of 24-105 is tempting tho.<br>

<strong>Mark Anthony-</strong>I have a speedlite 430exii and I also just ordered and AB800 but I am frustrated trying to use the speedlite in manual mode. I just cant seem to get it for some reason (wrote a separate post about that). Sorry- I digress. Iv spent hours trying to figure out what I know should be simple but for some reason cant get.<br>

Anyway, Thanks, I really appreciate the wonderful advice I have gotten here. Im getting the light meter too. Every post I do on here costs me money :)</p>

<p>I just got a speedlite 430exii after doing only natural light for 4 years. I am embarrassed to ask, but I cant figure out how you get correct flash output when the camera and my speedlite are in manual. How do you know? I meter, put it on the correct exposure for what I am looking for then shoot, but of course meter read was without the flash so when if flashes its way bright. If you do them both in Manual is it assumed you will have a light meter to tell you what to set the correct exposure taking into account the flash? <br>

I have read a ton on the internet and read my manual over and over and I dont get it. Theres a section in my manual entitled metered manual flash exposures but when I try that it doesnt work. Its clear Im missing something very basic.<br>

<strong>1. How the heck do you use the speedlight when your not on ETTL? Step by step with your camera in Manual.</strong><br>

2. Should I just be using my flash on ETTL and my camera on manual- in other words, what am I missing as far as quality and control if I dont put the speedlite on manual. <br>

I cant believe how long I have been beating my head up against the wall trying to figure this out, so I appreciate your help. Sorry again for the dumb question- I know it seems like something I should be able to figure out on my own but for some reason I cant.</p>

<p>Mindy</p>

<p ><strong><br /></strong></p>

<p>Thanks so much for this advice, I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to help a newbie stranger:) <br>

Lorne, I just ordered the AB 800 strobe. Such a can of worms with how to get exposure correct with a strobe, Im a little freaked out- but excited in that geeky photographer with new gear way...<br>

Nathan- Thanks for this, I have a 50mm L series f1.4 and am so deeply in love with it that I was leaning towards the L so Im so glad you helped me figure out that I probably need the IS more. Ill sell my lens and go for it. I have a speedlight 430 EXII also but just get so frustrated with my results, I have high cielings and have to use a gobo and bounce card and its just not been pretty. Need to play more. Where do you guys sell your used equipment? <br>

Checked out both of your nature photos BTW- love it, those alaska shots had such vibrant color Nathan. Once I feel like Ive mastered getting what I want shooting people I cant wait to get into landscapes. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>I shoot kids & babies i<strong>ndoors.</strong> I am thinking about a new lens. Im looking at <a href="../equipment/product-detail?product_id=488"><strong>Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM</strong></a><strong> ($1,189) </strong> but someone posted this on here "On my Rebel XT it is great on the tele end, but not wide enough in my opinion." So I was thinking about this also: <a href="../equipment/product-detail?product_id=480"><strong>Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM</strong></a><strong> ($988)</strong>and the 24-105 IS</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Im 4 years into photography and kind of intermediate: Heres what I dont fully understand: </p>

<p > </p>

<p >1. For indoor/low light photography with fast moving children- which is more important- the L series sharpness or the IS? </p>

<p > </p>

<p >2. I currently have an EFS 17-85mm f/4-5.6 so Im having a hard time investing in either of these since the focal range is so similar- but am thinking it will just be much better in lower light. Will the 2.8 change my photography indoors? Will I be able to shoot kids indoors without flash if I have the 2.8 or should I just keep my lens and put the money into some studio lighting? I dont want to spend the extra $1,000 if I will still have to go out and get the lighting. </p>

<p > </p>

<p >Thanks for your thoughts!</p>

<p > </p>

<p>Thanks! I just looked more at the alien bees and got the AB800. Nervous to go to strobe as Im used to seeing how the light falls but from the reviews Ill be happier in the end. Thanks for the warning about the stands! Much appreciated. </p>

<p>PS. Sorry about the double post, I just didnt know if this question belonged in the beginner forum or the lighting forum.</p>

<p>Thanks for your opinions <br>

I have read for hours and can't seem to sort thru the different recommendations, so Im hoping by posting my requirements I can narrow it down. I want a <strong>basic studio setup</strong>- Im thinking <strong>monolights</strong> to shoot some<strong>portraits and some kids and family photos</strong> in a studio setting. I strongly prefer natural light but have found that there have been enough people who have had nothing available during daylight and want a very basic setup for those rare times when I cant get them outside. Since I only want to do this when forced, I just want to the best of the lower priced ones. Since kids will be moving around I figure I have to have some decent power for my main light to stop the motion. I need a monolight so it has adjustable power and a modeling light so I can see where light is falling. I also want a decent light so if I end up getting into studio more its not a throw away- something I can build on. <br>

1. What exact light or kit would you recommend? Recommendation as to buying it used?<br>

2. Can you get a decent main light and just get cheap hair and kicker light/backround light? Probably a dumb question but for a hair light couldnt you just use a simple clamp lamp with a regular hight watt daylight bulb? </p>

<p>All I have right now is a black backdrop and one of those huge 5 in one reflectors. </p>

<p>Im no pro, but love it and have been doing it for a few years now. I have a Rebel XTi, a speedlite 430 EXii, lens: 50mm L Series 1.4 and a 17-85 IS zoom. Next week I also have to shoot my teenage neighbor for her headshots for her dance school addmission- she needs 2 headshots and 2 full body</p>

 

<p>Thanks for your opinions <br>

I have read for hours and can't seem to sort thru the different recommendations, so Im hoping by posting my requirements I can narrow it down. I want a <strong>basic studio setup</strong>- Im thinking <strong>monolights</strong> to shoot some <strong>portraits and some kids and family photos</strong> in a studio setting. I strongly prefer natural light but have found that there have been enough people who have had nothing available during daylight and want a very basic setup for those rare times when I cant get them outside. Since I only want to do this when forced, I just want to the best of the lower priced ones. Since kids will be moving around I figure I have to have some decent power for my main light to stop the motion. I need a monolight so it has adjustable power and a modeling light so I can see where light is falling. I also want a decent light so if I end up getting into studio more its not a throw away- something I can build on. <br>

1. What exact light or kit would you recommend? Recommendation as to buying it used?<br>

2. Can you get a decent main light and just get cheap hair and kicker light/backround light? Probably a dumb question but for a hair light couldnt you just use a simple clamp lamp with a regular hight watt daylight bulb? </p>

<p>All I have right now is a black backdrop and one of those huge 5 in one reflectors. </p>

<p>Im no pro, but love it and have been doing it for a few years now. I have a Rebel XTi, a speedlite 430 EXii, lens: 50mm L Series 1.4 and a 17-85 IS zoom. Next week I also have to shoot my teenage neighbor for her headshots for her dance school addmission- she needs 2 headshots and 2 full body. </p>

<p> </p>