birdiphotography

<p>Here is the image attached...</p><div></div>

<p>Okay, well I cant figure out how to post multiple images up for your review so I will just attach one.... I took this image with my new 16-85mm.</p>

<p>I wish I knew before I purchased the 16-85.... I just got it in today :(<br>

Not sure if I can return it since it was purchased with American Express points my mom had. Half was paid with the points. I dont know how that all works, if she can get her points back. I can always get the 17-55 later though after I gain more experience and clients. Thanks so much for the congrats Ralph!!!! I have to admit I am very nervous taking on a full time position with the paper and working the weddings....<br>

A family friend also just asked me to be her wedding photographer for her May 2014 wedding. But, I am very happy to say a wonderful photographer on photo.net is meeting me on Saturday to help me with my troubles!!!! Thanks so much Ray! I cant wait to learn more and gain some valuable knowledge in person! </p>

<p>Thats such a great shot. I started practicing some more after dinner. I'm having trouble with the difference between 3D tracking and Dynamic area modes...I just never see a difference when I switch them... <br>

I have been searching for some good books to snatch for deal. There was a great book at Cardinal camera but it was really expensive. I will probably look over ebay and craiglist for used books. </p><div></div>

<p>Thanks for that link Howard! I will use that info to my advantage! I get a little confused with all the photography terminology here. I need like a photography dictionary I can reread over and over to remember everything. It is a lot to remember and my memory aint too great! If you were in front of me with my camera I could point things out and tell you what they are, but actually remembering the terminology of each thing and explaining it to you on here is very difficult for me. Its too difficult to explain in writing since I dont know the actual terms. Its a problem. I bought my D5100 in November last year. Before that I owned a Kodak easy share camera. I still own a Minolta Film camera that I like to play with. I dont own a smart phone so no worries...lol <br>

My newspaper just asked me to work fulltime as a staff photographer. That really makes me nervous to add that on to all the other bookings I have. But, photojournalism is my passion. </p>

Marc, your photo is absolutely amazing! That was used without a flash?

<p>First of all, thank you Marc Willams your advice is really helping! I have my little mini studio set up and will be practicing some more today. I do have some classes coming up and I hope to gain some good info on focusing techniques there. </p>

<p>Howard & Joey: I do have a contract. I really dont understand why some people on here are very harsh? Can you remember your first wedding? Your first portrait session? I've been working for newspapers in natural light and never really learned much about anything else. I never had anyone to talk to about photography until now. I never understood what I was doing because no one wanted to help me unless I paid them the big bucks. I am reading all my manuals again to better understand what I need to know. The people who hire me understand my background and are fully aware of my experience. I need to start somewhere. Being an unpaid wedding assistant forever isnt helping me. I am not being taught, compensated for my pictures or time, and I always have to stand on the side while the main photographer does the good shots. <br>

I will have a PAID assistant at the weddings that I shoot. Just in case I need help or something goes wrong or I need an extra angles. I am taking money out of what the clients are giving me to pay for an assistant. Something nobody did for me. <br>

I get very nervous before any shoot. I have a heart condition that makes my heart rate abnormally fast, so if I'm nervous its really really fast. That can make me shake a little. It goes away once I get into the shoot. Right now, I am just stressed out. Between this, college math (My worst subject), health issues and bills, and personal issues I honestly have not been this stressed in years. <br>

That in no means makes me unable to shoot a wedding, take beautiful pictures, and learn learn learn. I am learning everyday! </p>

<p>Ralph- I am really short on cash so I have to make due with what I have. I do borrow my mom's D90 for weddings as a back-up since I cant afford another backup for myself. My "mentor" told me to never buy anything but Nikon lenses because they are the "best".<br /> But, I did buy the sigma because I really needed a wide angle lens for the real estate photography I do every blue moon and the Tamron was given to me by my grandfather. It has a little crack in it but doesnt show up in any images. I actually love that lens, I dont care what people say about buying Nikon only, that Old Tamron is great. I did go ahead and buy the 16-85, its seriously all I can afford right now. And I really need something that I can zoom in and out of without having to change a lens for. I just hope I didnt waste my money....</p>

<p>Here is another Image from today. I was using my 50mm on Aperture Priority. </p><div></div>

<p>Thanks so much Ralph!!! I have been practicing all day... I will attach some photos. I made myself a little setup at home of nick nacks to photograph. I just realized that my WB was never set to Flash when I took a lot of my weddings photos!!! It made such a difference today shooting with WB on Flash mode. Everything seemed warmer. </p><div></div>

<p>I am really nervous at weddings. I need to control that. You are so right William, I tend to grip the camera really hard for hours and I think that makes my fingers and wrists hurt. I think I just need to relax. I have been told that I have bad posture when holding my camera. I guess your supposed to hold your arms close to your body? I just hold them out. I will talk to my teacher about it for sure. Thanks for your posts I really am thankful for everyone here! I learned a lot about myself and reassurance of what I need to change to be better. </p>

<p>Thanks William for your very detailed post. I think I was moving too much. The bride was moving slightly while I was taking the shots but no that much. I do tend to shake sometimes if I hold the camera up for awhile. I dont know if anyone else has issues holding the camera up? My fingers and wrists sometimes want to give up. The D5100 is pretty small, light but I think its almost uncomfortable to carry on long days. I just bought a FS-Slim Strap system to wear on the next event. I hope this will help. I didnt think slight shaking/movement would turn my pictures soft/blurry. From reading everyone's posts I think it was a large combination of things that went wrong in those shots. But, your so right William, my main issue is technical knowledge and technique. Two very important things I need to learn fast. </p>

<p>Bill- I didnt miss the Jacket, I just didtnt make it the main focus of the portrait shoot. I think she wants to sell her clothing but I did not know this at the time. I just thought it was a cute prop she made for that specific shoot. I guess I was wrong. She wanted more shots of the whole jacket, centered and crystal clear. I focused on her son. <br>

David- I've been practicing using aperture priority and been reading my user manual. The focus seems 10 times better in aperture priority. I still need to learn all the setting's on my flash. but, right now I'm more concerned with understanding my camera and what it does. I took some pictures of my hand and they came out pretty sharp. <br>

William- What you said is exactly what a photography teacher told me. My shutter speed is usually off and I need to learn to adjust it when needed. Thats what I need to learn. I am taking quite a few classes over the next few weeks to get me more familiar with shutter speed in different environments. I will have a second camera too. A D90. I might even hire an assistant to help me out for one of the weddings. </p>

<p>Thank you guys for your input I truly appreciate all the help and guidance. Understanding what I am doing wrong and repeating it to me lets me know I need to take charge and get this taken care. I am excited to learn new things about my camera and lenses. </p>

 

<p>David,<br>

Yes. I have. You dont have to keep up with the forum. It is not required of you to help me, I merely asked not demanded. I have Narcolepsy and many other health issues so things take me a little longer to complete. This in no means makes me disabled or unable to work. I just need more time to complete things. I apologize if I take longer to "Master" the basics, David. </p>

<p>Thanks guys,<br>

She really isnt crazy, just driving me crazy! She really wont leave me alone about a refund. I've never had to deal with anyone like this before. She says my pictures are blown out, that her son is sticking his tongue out (Which at the time she thought was adorable). And, that I didnt get good shots of her hand made jacket... I told her I would do a reshoot back when she complained first I wasnt out at the photoshoot long enough. She said I should have been out there for at least two hours! I took over 300 photos in an hour. I think this lady is trying to scam me. She already posted the pics on her facebook page. <br>

I'm just going a little insane over here. between her and trying to learn everything about my flash and camera. <br>

I just purchased the 16-85. I really want the 24-70 but I cant afford it right now so the 16-85 will do for the meanwhile. I just need something that a wont have to keep changing at events, it gets to be too much to have to change a lens at a wedding. Changing to one or two lens through out the day is fine but I dont want to have to change my lens constantly. thats why I got the 16-85. Comes at the end of the month. I hope it works well for me. </p><div></div>

<p>Just ordered this lens BTW: Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX ED VR Nikkor Wide-Angle Telephoto. Super happy to get started with it. I think it will be better than my 18-55 and tamron 70-300. I hate always having to change lenses during a wedding. So, I hope this will be the main go to lens for events etc. Anyone have it and use it for event photography? </p>

<p>Thanks everyone for all the responses! <br>

I checked my diopter and it is fine. Maybe it was not in focus that day? I dont really know. I just know that Ive been screwing up a lot lately and Im getting really frustrated with myself. I think its pretty much all me that is making the blur. I think I will just start using aperture priority and see how that goes. I have this one crazy client that wont leave me alone about her pictures. I took portraits for her a week ago. I just gave her the edited images today. She wants a refund because she says I didnt take a good enough shot of the Jacket she made for her son... I had no idea she wanted a full shot of this ugly jacket. Ive never had to deal with this before. She is driving me crazy, calling me names. Very mean stuff. I told her I would do a reshoot but she said no. she wants to keep the photos but get her money back... I mean for 80 bucks, she got 350 photos, 85 edited/retouched photos. I would think that was cheap? </p>

<p>John,<br>

I was pretty close to the bride, just a few feet probably. This just recently started happening thats why I am kind of upset and worried. I am nearsighted but I dont wear glasses/contacts. I mainly have trouble seeing letters clearly at a distance. <br>

I think I need to stop using manual and use shutter priority? A lot of my photos come out super soft looking. I dont understand why. I thought it was because I am not focusing or the camera is not focusing but maybe I am doing something wrong? I have a class on sunday so I will ask around about why my photos are looking like that. It just doesnt make sense. </p>

<p>I dont think I explained myself properly. I have done weddings before. Many. But, I always was the assistant. I do have a mentor... if you want to call him that. He has been in the business for over 20 years but always seems to be in competition with me instead of teaching me. <br>

I am not a "sales person" and yes my prices are low. You can see them on my website at BirdiPhotography.com. The only reason I am doing these weddings is because I was contacted through craigslist. I out an ad up asking if someone would like to hire me as an "Assistant" photograher for a wedding, not a main photographer. I got people asking to shoot their weddings. They clearly know my experience and I told them I never shot a wedding alone. <br>

They still wanted to hire me. Not because I am cheap (I hope) but because of my so called "style" of editing. <br>

I do take photography classes through meet-up.com. I plan on taking some more classes through Cardinal Camera. I just spoke to a great guy their who gave me awesome advice. I purchase a soft box and will be purchasing a 16-85mm. I do plan on having a second camera at the weddings. A nikon D90. <br>

My biggest issue is not remembering everything my camera does, technically. I need to learn more about shutter speed in fast environments, lighting, and how to use my SB-910. I think a lot of my images come out blurry because my shutter is completely off. I move from inside to outside and forget to change settings. I forget to change the WB, etc. <br>

I appreciate everyone taking the time out to help me and guide me. I really need it and I thank you all. </p>

<p>The image I attached on the first post I took with my 50 1.8 and I could have sworn it was perfect, it looked perfect/clear on the camera but when I uploaded the image it just looked blurry. Half of them did. I need to test out everything, but I think something is either wrong with me or wrong with the camera because this has happened with multiple lenses. I will check the filters but they look clean. I have tried all different shutter speeds. I went nuts last night taking pictures of my cat trying to get a clear perfectly crisp image. They came out horrible. </p>

<p> </p><div></div>

<p>Hi everyone,<br>

I'm a newbie! I have two wedding's booked this Fall (My first I will be doing alone) and I am absolutely scared beyond belief. <br>

My equipment:<br>

Nikon D5100, SB-910 Flash, Sigma 10-20mm, Nikon 50mm 1.8, Nikon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm, and a Speedlite YN460. </p>

<p>I've been having a lot of trouble with focusing...Not sure what is wrong. Lately, a lot of my images have been coming out blurry. I am worried something is wrong with my camera. To be perfectly honest, I am still learning the technical parts of photography. I never went to school for photography, I just went for general art. I mainly use manual, but even if I'm in auto it still looks funny. Like, the edges are blurry. I cant let this happen at the wedding's. Maybe I should get my camera cleaned? <br>

I was also wondering if I should add the Nikon 16-85mm 3.5f to my list of lenses? Would that be a good wedding lens? I would love to get the 24-70mm 1.8 but I cant afford it. </p>

<p>Thanks everyone for reading!!! </p>

<p>-Jessica Britton</p>