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  • in reply to: Strobes vs. Christmas tree #23090
    PicklesThePug
    Participant

    Thanks, I’ll try that and report back!

     

    in reply to: Strobes vs. Christmas tree #23059
    PicklesThePug
    Participant

    Thanks CC, I really like that first shot you put up there, and I am in awe of the dish sculpture.  That’s amazing.

    Set up is in studio. Fireplace, tree beside it.  Kids will be posed in front.  2 strobes, modifiers available are 1 soft box, umbrellas, 1 beauty dish/sock.  no grids

    I can get a nice little glow on the tree by lowering the SS to 20 but I’ve never met a child who can sit that still for portraits.  Strobes have been turned right down and moved away front the tree.
    Maybe I just have an image in my mind that isn’t going to happen without doing a composite in PS because my tree and work space is too small to bring subjects that much farther in front.

    This is what I’ve got.  Tree is about 4.5 feet tall

    Here’s what I’m after ( I don’t know the photographer, just found on google images) http://www.delalanephotography.com/blog/2012/12/31/kids-christmas-portraits-2012-yucca-valley-photographer/

    in reply to: Making Studio Space #22182
    PicklesThePug
    Participant

    Thanks nesgran.  I was considering colour in the bedroom not for my sake, but for guests.  I’ll do pale grey in there, and just add colour with accessories.  I’m using umbrellas and soft boxes, have halogen pot lights. Same for main room, plus a medium sized north window.

     

     

    in reply to: I wanted to charge $ until I found your site… #18855
    PicklesThePug
    Participant

    Cameraclicker – just wanted to thank you for the heads up on the Henry’s show.  Went for a good amount of time, checked out a seminar on lighting, bought a new tripod, head and a belt holster.   Decided I’m going to wait (impatiently) and set myself up with strobes instead of going for the continuous lights.  Sticking with the speed light for now, and will get another inexpensive one to supplement.

     

    in reply to: I wanted to charge $ until I found your site… #18679
    PicklesThePug
    Participant

    I meant physical heat.  The babies just don’t regulate heat yet and when they’re cold, they’re not sleepy.  Halogen sounds nice.  Maybe I’ll macGyver a work lamp and make a home made soft box for the interim, until I can get something better.  I’d worry about setting the damn thing on fire.    I’ve never used the gels on the flash but that makes perfect sense.  Orange on the speed light, and supplementary desk lamp.  I’ll try it and see what happens.
    That all being said, a large north side window is my favourite.

    in reply to: I wanted to charge $ until I found your site… #18670
    PicklesThePug
    Participant

    Thanks Cameraclicker – I definitely want to go.  I think I’ve been to the IC before.  I’ve also been known to take photos with my kids on Dixie when the planes lift off the end of the runway.  I’ll stop in at Henry’s today and see what they can do.

    Bagga- thanks for doing all that legwork.  I will look into the lighting stuff for sure.  I do still use the D90 because changing lenses mid-anything is frustrating.  I always miss something good.
    My shopping/wish list includes
    Tripod ( I have a super crappy one, and a monopod with no head)
    I was thinking this lens:  http://en.nikon.ca/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/2164/AF-S-NIKKOR-24-70mm-f%252F2.8G-ED.html  ( I know you mention a couple prime portrait lenses, but I thought I should have something that fits the range between my wide angle and my 70-200.  Let me know why or why not?)
    More lighting – I guess another speed light is in order.  I am partial to getting the same kind as I have. (which has more to it than I’ve learned yet.)  Mostly because it works really well as a slave without having even bought a wireless trigger yet.  It’s sensitive enough indoors that I don’t even have to keep it in front of the camera.  Haven’t tried outdoors yet; bet I’ll need them then.  I will check out the one you linked for me too.
    I like the idea of the continuous lighting for the babies and small kids.  The warmer the better, actually.  I had to use a space heater and mom with a hair dryer on low to keep baby warm so her skin didn’t get all mottled looking.  So some of those items you showed were reasonable.  I don’t see why I can’t have a little of both, but not to use at the same time.
    Oh, and battery grips for both cameras.
    I’m sure the list will grow by days end.


    @fautox1977
     thank you 🙂

    in reply to: I wanted to charge $ until I found your site… #18659
    PicklesThePug
    Participant

    If you can get to where no one in your area can take photos as well as you can, you can rise above the cheap photography providers.  That’s worth doing even if it is just for your own family memories.

    I think there are some really great photographers around here.  I feel as though the quality of my stuff is better than the cheapest, equal with the inexpensive, and not on par with the pricy.  I think that becoming the best in my area may be a lofty goal, indeed.

    in reply to: I wanted to charge $ until I found your site… #18656
    PicklesThePug
    Participant

    @ ihate…  I did read through those links, thank you.  (Math, ugh!).   I get what you’re saying.  Also, I live in a heavily populated [read:saturated] area.  Lots of little ads for cheap photography. I totally get the bit about everyone you know saying your work is great and would pay for photos “like that”, but they don’t really mean it. It’s a luxury to them. Maybe instead of charging money I can tell them to bring me presents. Battery pack here, speed light there… Yes, I’m confused. Lol. And happy to know some of my pics pass the YANAP test.

    in reply to: I wanted to charge $ until I found your site… #18655
    PicklesThePug
    Participant

    @ ihate…  I did read through those links, thank you.  (Math, ugh!).   I get what you’re saying.  Also, I live in a heavily populated [read:saturated] area.  Lots of little ads for cheap photography. I totally get the bit about everyone you know saying your work is great and would pay for photos “like that”, but they don’t really mean it. It’s a luxury to them.

    Maybe instead of charging money I can tell them to bring me presents. Battery pack here, speed light there…

    Yes, I’m confused. Lol. And happy to know some of my pics pass the YANAP test.

    in reply to: I wanted to charge $ until I found your site… #18654
    PicklesThePug
    Participant

    No hurt caused whatsoever.  I LOVE that you took the time out of your day to talk to me.  Well, I may be a little hurt over the dog/tutu comment.  Those pug girls of mine are well paid with high end doggie treats!  They didn’t mind dressing up at all.  If I had a male pug, he might have been put in a leotard.  With a codpiece, of course, to save him from any embarrassment.  LOL  ( You now have that image etched into your mind for the remainder of the day. You’re welcome)

    Equipment.  I started in 2009 with a refurbed Nikon D90, kit lens and a new Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR (at the time I was given a chunk of money and knew I wouldn’t soon be able to afford better glass, so I chose less of a body and more of a lens)  Filters for the lenses, but have only really used the clear one for protection and the circular polarizer for competitive swimming photos.
    over time:
    50 mm 1: 1.4
    16-35mm 1:4
    Nikon D800E
    1 good speed light, 1 umbrella,  a 5/1 reflector, backdrop stand with a couple backdrops and a roll of black paper

    The room I have available to me is even too small to use my 50 mm except babies and seated poses.  I can’t bring anyone far enough away from the backdrop to keep light from falling on it when I want it nice and black.

    I use a recent version of Lightroom and have Elements 10, which I’m trying to learn compositing with.  Yes, I use RAW.

    I know I need more light sources but hesitate to purchase because I’m not sure what to get / learn.  I like the idea of boxes that area always lit.  Maybe you all can give advice in this direction.   I use my speed light off camera and manual settings for now.

    Gosh theres so much to answer from above!  Next – Girl in Hat.  My cousin.  There’s an album on the Facebook link of other pics I took of her that day.  1 flash, 1 reflector.  I thought the same about the one-eye stare.  I did not get one with a hint of the other eye with that pose.   I took a ton of pics, but she was shy and awkward, so there’s only a few where she let me see her real self.

    @ Bagga – Must I choose a favourite?  I’ll tell you what I don’t want to take photos of.  Car races.  Although I have…  I like people, I like nature and displays of light that others don’t notice.  I’m the person who takes a photo of a beautiful misty morning on the street, even though its garbage day.  I know that won’t pay, but I can’t help but like it.  VIEWBUG, yes it was free.  I thought people might say they like something, and take away some critique.  Noooo… everyone gushes over everything to get others to add and gush over theirs.  There is a lot of enviable photos on the site though.  I love browsing.  (and Thank you for the compliment in your last post.  I wish I had started decades ago too.   If I get rich (lmao) i’ll send you a good bottle of scotch.  Rich means I have to pay off existing debts!

    @ Nesgran – you’re a bit tougher, but I appreciate it.  The fact that you said my work may be good enough for a photographer to choose me as a 2nd is a compliment. Thank you.  I will do more free work to fill my portfolio and keep practicing.

    @ Worst Case – I’ll never take a dog in tutu pic ever again in my life I swear… if you take one of yourself in a tutu and post it on this thread.  I promise!

     

    in reply to: I wanted to charge $ until I found your site… #18643
    PicklesThePug
    Participant

    Thanks 🙂
    working on the DOF thing… I have a habit of opening wide for light and getting the wrong bit in focus then.   Yes, still learning.

    I was under the assumption that being a second shooter was still a paid gig?  I had one person interested but they wanted me for 12 hours at no pay.   I couldn’t imagine doing that and all the resulting edits for free.

    in reply to: I wanted to charge $ until I found your site… #18640
    PicklesThePug
    Participant

    Ah, Pugs.  Pickles is only one of my three.  I will definitely look at those links, thank you.
    I had a bout of paranoia after seeing this site for the first time.  Whether people pay me or not, I would like the work to have a level of respectability.  I don’t want to look foolish!

    And yes, you’re right about the girls face being too bright.  It seems to fade her nose into her face.  whoops.

     

     

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)