aleks_biteman

<p>Eak... first thoughts... Cluttered and confusing. Too many unrelated images on the first page, and the scrolling thing is distracting... And the Gallery makes me think of 1998 web design... Keep it simple, and straight forward... take a look at my site: Aleksbiteman.com</p>

<p>I hate watermarks... if someone sees your photo, it's likely that they already know it's yours. I understand the purpose, but I'm against it</p>

<p>Agree with William, you also have dual links, under the Weddings drop down, you have a link to your pricing, but you also have a pricing link on the main header menu.<br>

Also, I found taking down pricing is the best way to keep people interested, that way they need to contact you, and get engaged and it immediately becomes a little more personal. I'd remove that.<br>

And I emphasize on William with the about section...</p>

 

<p>Personally, at the reception, it seems your flashes are very direct and harsh, you may have been able to point those up, seeing that the ceiling is low enough. This would've spread the might more evenly and softened it quite a bit.</p>

<p>Haven't read the whole thread, but wireless triggers are quite inexpensive if all you need to do is trigger and not necessarily control power, cowboystudio triggers work well for that, Ebay or Amazon.</p>

<p>ok cool :) thanks for the tip Wouter. Helpful as always!</p>

<p>Also... I typically shoot in all manual... recommended or not? shutter priority?</p>

<p>Awesome! Thanks for the tips :) </p>

<p>They look great Athena! Just wondering, any external flash? I'll be going in with 3 speedlites, 2x Canon 580ex II, and 1 Yonguo 560II... Just wondering if you used anything besides ambient light!</p>

<p>I mean I guesssss. It is better than most HDR shots due to the fact that I think it's over done and there is some manipulation, it seems abstract to me more than anything in a way.</p>

<p>Gotta say, with my first wedding coming up this weekend, this makes me much more confident! Any tips on someone who JUST got into it? What exactly would you do differently? I too am ignoring people saying I shouldn't do it for lack of experience... If not now, then when!? Hope your future career as a photographer goes well :)</p>

<p>Thanks Alan, I appreciate all the info, just found out I got 7th out of 30... Not so happy about that lol. I was supposed to be one of the top contenders too! Stupid mistake... And this was my last chance to make it to nationals, time to go drown my sorrows in some music haha, thank you to both of you. </p>

<p>well that'd do it! derp, amateur move haha. Totally had my logic backwards! Thanks you!</p>

 

<p>Ok, so, today I had a competition at my high school, and I know I didn't do very well on the studio lighting section. I want to explain to setup. and requirements:<br>

2 light setup<br />Light Meter<br>

Style: Rembrant <br />Ratio: 4:1</p>

<p>So, if your camera is at F/8 ISO 100 1/60, you sync the Main/Key light up to read F/8 on the light meter. Then shouldn't you set the Fill to read F/16? Considering a ratio of 1:1 is even, 2:1 is 1 stop difference, 4:1 is a 2 stop difference, so that's what I did. And the images seemed flat, and I was getting almost a 1:1 ratio. You could hardly tell it was Rembrant because there was no "triangle". What did I do wrong? Thought I had this in the bag because I studied... well crap haha. I'd love to understand this better, only if there was a redo on the competition!</p>

<p>Definitely agree with what was said above, by Matt. The overall design of the site is nice, and looks good. Colors are good and your portfolio is put together well. </p>

<p>The text in the top left-hand corner "Northwest Arkansas Senior & Family Photographer" is virtually invisible. I would suggest getting rid of that entirely, it's not necessary and looks out of place.<br>

<br>

on your "contact me" site, for some reason the words "I will be getting back with you just as soon as I can!" seem a little off, maybe "I will get back to you as soon as possible!" That one isn't necessary, but is a small suggestion. <br /><br>

One more thing, this isn't a problem on your main site, but on your blog, the watermarks are quite obnoxious, if you use a watermark, put it low, and small, and bring down the opacity so it blends a little better. It's quite distracting from the images.</p>

<p>I'm no professional, and I'm just starting out myself, but I do have a good idea of design principles and such. So I hope this helps!</p>

<p>Oh boy, another debby downer! Sorry for attempting to be successful at a young age. I forgot, we can only strive for big things in life after your 20's. My bad! I'll stop trying to be better than the majority of people my age and up. Hope you can forgive me!</p>

<p>Alright, so for those of you saying I shouldn't go into the wedding without knowing the location... First, I'm new to weddings (I'm sure you could guess), and am taking what I can right now, second, I know the general area, as in the city, just not the exact location. I do have an electronic contract, but it isn't quite as advanced as I'd imagined some of yours are. Essentially, what I'm getting from this is to call her, I just haven't yet, because I have school, and sports after, and I suppose I didn't want to catch her at a bad time and make it awkward! but I guess I just have to suck it up haha, thanks!</p>

<p>So I have a bride booked for May 24th, I have asked her for information regarding the ceremony and reception location. All she replied with was "it's a family church" and she doesn't have a reception location yet (yayyy...), she has said that in 2-3 e-mails throughout the last 2 months. I have another bride that is booked for June, and she has everything down to the minute. What do I need to say to this bride to get her to give me some specific information without being too pushy? I am fairly new to wedding photography as you may have seen in previous posts. So any ideas? Thanks!</p>

<p>I feel as if this certain topic could be considered in so many different avenues, making the conversation practically infinite. Photography brings me both contentedness and the feeling of dis contentedness, allowing me to feel satisfied at the feeling of being behind the camera, but also allowing me to venture into new depths.</p>

<p>I suppose that depends on your interpretation of the definition of being content or discontent. Considering the true definition, "satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else." I believe that when I am behind a camera, I am completely satisfied with that which I have, I do not want anything more, or anything else. Now if you look at this in a different manner, you can consider that your feeling of being "content" is caused by your completion, when you "put down the camera". It's really a matter of opinion whether that "restless adventure" or "leaving home" is what gives you the feeling of being content, for you, as you stated, it doesn't. That is just my feelings towards it, it really all comes down to a matter of opinion. I do understand your point of view, and acknowledge it. It's just simply not my opinion and feeling toward the situation. </p>

<p>I've gotta say, as someone who is trying to get out there and start, this is very inspirational, and one day I hope I can compete on a level half as prestigious as yours. Thank you!</p>

<p>I've appreciated all the feedback, and love the fact that I was able to strike inspiration for a hearty conversation through my essay, no matter the means. And Laurie, if I had been allowed, I feel as if I could have written a novel (or close to) on the subject. Photography inspires me not only in the subject of photography itself, but in so much else. And I appreciate the kind words Fred. This whole thread has been a good read, and an experience in itself. </p>

<p>Steve, I truly, TRULY appreciate that you recognize this. Thank you for the kind words</p>

<p>Haha, I appreciate that, and of course, I, among SOME of my peers realize that we are the old ones that can truly change what lies ahead. So we do what we can to work towards a better world. I appreciate your sentiment, and understand fully that we are not the first ones to experience such things.</p>

<p>Now, you are all speaking beyond my knowledge of the English language for the most part. But for those who asked, our essay was limited to one page. And in word, double-spaced, this is a one page document. And I appreciate all the feedback. No matter how harsh, it's all valuable.<br>

<br /> The inspiration for the title originated with "Through the Looking Glass". And the "place" or "environment" I intend to portray in this essay is being behind the camera itself. Looking through the viewfinder is a place I consider to be it's own, standing alone, yet among the other environments it resides it.<br>

<br /> And to H. P, that's the public education system for you, this may shock you, baffle you, and you may find yourself dumbfounded, but I received the highest score in the class for this essay. It's quite sad I realize, because there are so many students, seniors, juniors, and the likes of them, that can hardly complete a sentence without a misspelling. Now before you go off on the whole "your generation is full of a bunch of thumb-twiddling idiots", like so many adults do, I ask you to consider who raised us, and put forth this system of education.</p>

<p>As for the rest of you, I have greatly enjoyed reading your responses and thoughts. It's not often that a student receives this kind of feedback, when we peer-edit, we are often partnered with someone who knows much less about the English language, and it's quite pointless. Thank you,</p>