Video University: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers: Getting the hang of editing

VideoUniversity.com
Home	Free Library	Store
Free Catalog Please support VU by making your B&H purchases and links through this B&H ad. Doesn't cost a penny more.

Giving Thanks to All.
A little thanksgiving humor.

To post in the forums see the Forum Guidelines.

Join or Renew Today.
New Benefits for all VU Members

Forum Guidelines and FAQ
Main Index	Search Posts
Who's Online	Log In

Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Getting the hang of editing

Jenn M
Veteran

Apr 30, 2007, 12:01 AM

Post #1 of 14 (969 views)
Shortcut

Getting the hang of editing	Can't Post

Well, we've finally done it - we've joined the blogging nation. I resisted for quite a while (and of course, Brian resisted longer), but we finally made a blog (or 2). We made a weddings one and a separate portrait one. It does make it easier to 'share' things.

I think I'm finally getting the hang of editing images. Skin tones will be the death of me! Here are some recent examples:

And b&w's look better, too, I think:

You can see more on the blog:
http://imagesbymoakportraits.blogspot.com/

(I feel like a cornball saying that!)

Thanks to all for previous feedback. No advice goes to waste!

szerangue
Veteran

Apr 30, 2007, 12:53 AM

Post #2 of 14 (955 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jenn M] Getting the hang of editing [In reply to]	Can't Post

Very nice, Jenn... soon I will have my new website up and running and it will not only have weddings but will also have photography. I really have not jumped in full force into photography yet... as a matter of fact I really have not jumped into anything except weddings with any kind of force... that will probably be my downfall.. getting from behind this computer is hard to do.
I've watched the Gary Fong DVD partially and I really like what he has to say about exposure for portraits... I have tried it and it works really nice with the lightsphere. Much better than what I was getting before with no ghosting.
Also, I recently purchased an expodisc... have you seen that thing? Its pretty nice for white balancing.
Miracle Pictures
"If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle!"

"Life Productions, coming out of the dark, into the light"
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

Brackish
Veteran

Apr 30, 2007, 3:09 AM

Post #3 of 14 (951 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jenn M] Getting the hang of editing [In reply to]	Can't Post

Nice skin tones. (No peachy.)

Scott Brooks
Veteran

Apr 30, 2007, 4:15 AM

Post #4 of 14 (947 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jenn M] Getting the hang of editing [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Jenn ...

Glad to see you haven't fallen off the end of the earth.

Really great shots. I haven't gotten into portraits yet although I may end up doing a few high school seniors.

I wasn't too sure about the blogging situation either. I started one last year back in April, but didn't follow through. So this year in January I started a new one at http://scottbrooksphotography.blogspot.com/ and I'm going to see if I can keep up. That's number one.

Number two will be whether or not I'm getting any feedback from brides. Even the top name photographers seem to get the most comments from other photographers ... not brides. If my brides aren't interested ... then I'll let it drop.

I'm still not 100% sure that it's right for me ... not sure it fits my personality. If it becomes too much or a real PIA ... I'll make it a personal blog that might include some photography and video and just update it when I feel like it. If that doesn't suit me then I'll drop the whole thing.

BTW ... DJ posted on how to get rid of the blogspot banner thing at the top of the page. I'll look and see if I can find it. All you do is put a small code into the template.

It's going to be a fun year ... just keep telling yourself that.

Jenn M
Veteran

Apr 30, 2007, 11:18 AM

Post #5 of 14 (925 views)
Shortcut

Re: [szerangue] Getting the hang of editing [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ha - I was looking at the expodisc thingie last night. Trying to decide which to give a go - that or the WhiBal pocket card. I'm trying to imagine myself actually screwing the disc onto the front of the lens, taking a shot, unscrewing the disc, then setting the white balance. Do I have time for that? I don't know.... maybe if it's a photo only gig, but not if we're shooting both.

We currently have a digital callibration target which I have yet to remember to pull the thing out. It's just a matter of slowing down and thinking it thru, I suppose.

(This post was edited by Jenn M on Apr 30, 2007, 11:35 AM)

Jenn M
Veteran

Apr 30, 2007, 11:32 AM

Post #6 of 14 (920 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Sparky] Getting the hang of editing [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Scott,

Oh, I'm totally jazzed for this year. Brian, well, he's more nervous than anything, but that's his nature. Tongue

We now have 2.5 combo jobs next month (May). Origianlly it was only 1 combo, then another photo-only bride called last week and asked if she could add video on (they became wooed by our website), and the other one, which is actually a video-only job, is with the same photographer that I second shot with 2 weeks ago and he said I can shoot stills, too, if I want, too - (that what I meant by .5 in the 2.5 - it's not really a combo gig, but I can make it one if I want to).

Of course, since the bride hired us for video, though, I have to concentrate the majority of my efforts there. Pha, phooey. (Just kiding. Smile

)

About the blog - this is something Brian would have never done on his own. You are so right - it's just not a part of some people's personality. It will probably end up being more of my thing, which is fitting, I suppose - I'm a chick, talking chick-language to a bunch of other giddy chicks. I expect that is mostly who will be reading it - which is why I chose the color scheme to include pink.

I hope to direct more of our brides there to leave feedback, as well. Once upon a time, we had a nice feedback page on our website, but it was hacked and we lost it. I'm hoping this can take its place. We will see. It was just funny that one of our 'fans' left a message within 6 hours of us even starting to put the thing together. I loved that - I got to turn to Brian and say, "See, told ya so." I know there are a few people who will really dig it, and they are our best source of advertising!

That would be great if I could get rid of the banner uptop. I figured out how to change the color, but didn't see an option to ditch it all together.

OH - I do have one question... do little tool icons show up on your computer - for instance, in the Archives box or the Client Resources box? I'm wondreing if it's just on our computer b/c we host it. They really bug me and I was hoping they didn't show up on other computers.

Scott Brooks
Veteran

Apr 30, 2007, 11:48 AM

Post #7 of 14 (910 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jenn M] Getting the hang of editing [In reply to]	Can't Post

OH - I do have one question... do little tool icons show up on your computer - for instance, in the Archives box or the Client Resources box? I'm wondreing if it's just on our computer b/c we host it. They really bug me and I was hoping they didn't show up on other computers.

I don't see anything so you must be ok.

Postal Boy
Veteran

Apr 30, 2007, 12:01 PM

Post #8 of 14 (907 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jenn M] Getting the hang of editing [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I don't have one, but the guy at the photography shop where I was looking at them said that most people don't bother to attach it to the camera. They just hold it up and take a shot through it, then put it away. Some people buy them a little bigger than their lense to do this, but then you couldn't attach it even if you wanted to.

-Postal

szerangue
Veteran

Apr 30, 2007, 12:26 PM

Post #9 of 14 (895 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jenn M] Getting the hang of editing [In reply to]	Can't Post

Jenn,
Its pretty easy, really... it does not screw on... you get the size that fits your camera, then you just push it on, it kind of clicks on, take a picture in the direction of the light you will be shooting (example, if you were shooting the formals, you would expose your camera for the shot, then stand in the position where the wedding party will be standing and turn and face the direction of where you will be shooting from, take a picture with the expodisc in place, set your white balance, and you are done)
This is not a run and gun kind of thing, for that you would use auto white balance... probably for the most part of the day you would probably use auto WB... this is more for portrait photography or when you are going to be shooting at a location where the light and exposure will be the same for multiple shots.

But I used it last weekend at a wedding where we shot video to white balance my video camera, it works as good if not better than a white balance card. Plus it comes with a handy strap so that you can wear it around your neck. I tucked it into my shirt pocket out of the way.
Miracle Pictures
"If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle!"

"Life Productions, coming out of the dark, into the light"
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

szerangue
Veteran

Apr 30, 2007, 12:27 PM

Post #10 of 14 (894 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jenn M] Getting the hang of editing [In reply to]	Can't Post

Did you shoot those with a tripod or were you handheld? What lens did you use?
Miracle Pictures
"If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle!"

"Life Productions, coming out of the dark, into the light"
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

Jenn M
Veteran

Apr 30, 2007, 12:37 PM

Post #11 of 14 (890 views)
Shortcut

Re: [szerangue] Getting the hang of editing [In reply to]	Can't Post

No tripod - for the outside shots, I didn't need one as my shutter was high enough. also, I was mindful to keep it higher b/c I was dealing with wormy little ones in both situations. I learned that lesson before!

I shot mainly with 2 lenses - the 24-70 and the 70-200 IS. In the house, for Reilly, the little boy, I used the 17-55 IS. I found that most of my favorites were shot w/ the long lens when I didn't need fill flash - that gave me nice bokeh.

One thing that really helped with the babies was getting mom to focus their attention and Brian to act goofy to get them to laugh. It was so hard for me to shoot while at the same time trying to draw that out of them b/c to get the best shot, my face was hidden behind the camera, so it was much easier having their assistance.

(This post was edited by Jenn M on Apr 30, 2007, 12:37 PM)

Jenn M
Veteran

Apr 30, 2007, 12:58 PM

Post #12 of 14 (879 views)
Shortcut

Re: [szerangue] Getting the hang of editing [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hmmm, now I'm more intrigued by the Expodisc. Where did you order yours? I just put in 2 huge lighting orders... argg, I knew I'd forget something.

(This post was edited by Jenn M on Apr 30, 2007, 12:58 PM)

szerangue
Veteran

Apr 30, 2007, 1:38 PM

Post #13 of 14 (869 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jenn M] Getting the hang of editing [In reply to]	Can't Post

I bought mine from Showcase in Atlanta but I am sure you can find one at B&H or most any local photog store. Kind of pricey, mine was $99
Miracle Pictures
"If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle!"

"Life Productions, coming out of the dark, into the light"
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

Shadow
Veteran

Apr 30, 2007, 2:39 PM

Post #14 of 14 (860 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jenn M] Getting the hang of editing [In reply to]	Can't Post

Great photos Jenn!