[LuckyDimples]

I only do photography as a part time thing, mainly because I have 40k of student loans to pay off so a day job takes priority. I still have all of the computer programs I got while in college for free (they came with my majors), and most of my photography equipment that I have were gifts. I do remember maxing out a credit card and moving in with my parents my last term of college to get my first DSLR though 🙂 I had only my 7D and kit lens for a good chunk of time and did quite well with what I had. I’d say I have around $7,000 of gear or so? However, I don’t have studio equipment,  as it is far from my forte. I can pack all my gear into a camera backpack (7D, 70-200mm 2.8, 50mm 1.2, 16-35mm 2.8, laptop, wacom, cords, cards, batteries and chargers, a tripod, 580exii speedlite, and bounce cards/diffusers/other misc items). 🙂

Websites are dirt cheap if you know where the good hosts are, or can host your own. I also find the easiest format for me to quickly make and maintain a website is with wordpress.

I’m still a bit of a noob though and don’t have near the collection as my peers. I will be purchasing a full frame camera and another flash in the next year or so.

[LuckyDimples]

Thank you so much for your advice. I had a hunch that light trails and such were going to be where I should develop next (for a while it was my framing, I tried to crop with the lens to often and was promptly told to give more headroom and that they can always be cropped later), and you sealed the deal on where to focus more attention.

I didn’t want to explain the photos so I could get a straight critique (I find the stories behind photos can change opinions)…but I suppose I can a little bit now.

 

The first two photos were from when I “shot for free” at local raves/concerts. I was very much a noob, armed with a kit lens. Actually, now that I think about it, I think I used the pop up flash on them as I didn’t have an external yet. Hahah 🙂

The third photo is from NYE 2012. I put it up to show a general idea of what kind of “crowd” shots I try to get. They are a big challenge for me as I am only 5’5″.

The fourth…oh man, the bar tenders(or Dixie Dolls as they are called there) at this place are so much fun. They are all VERY nice and always have fun with themed outfits (they even do dances on the bar every hour or so…I still struggle with those photo)

The fifth one, the snow is champagne 🙂 As I was taking the photo, a birthday boy did this: http://pdxlastnight.com/wp-content/gallery/03-23-13%20couture/032313couture-081.jpg So, the DJ was a bit reactive to his gear getting sticky champagne rained on.

The sixth one I chose to be an example of the group/friend photos that I take (some people are far more photogenic than others, but everyone loves their photos…probably because they’ve been drinking)

The last one is an example of the kind of shots I try to get of the club, in a way where they would likely use them for promotional material. If a place has something unique looking (one club has bras and baseball caps covering the ceiling), or if I think something looks ‘cool’ I take a shot. (these photos also help if the club is a bit dead that night)

I will be keeping a sharper eye on my slower shutter (used to get some of the ambient lighting…which varies greatly). I know I have been told to be careful about the lights, and I will do so even more. Heck, I’ve heard people call my boss a lighting genius before, so I definitely have a great person to learn from.

Again, thank you for your reply. It is so nice to get another opinion. I was kinda nervous posting after reading some of your other critiques, hahah 😀

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