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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Going to give first try to photography...

Shadow
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Jul 2, 2006, 10:48 AM

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Going to give first try to photography...	Can't Post

Next weekend I'm filming a wedding that has no professional photographer. I thought this would be an opportunity for me to dig out the old slr and see what kind of stuff I can pull off.
I'm not charging them for anything, just offering it and telling them I am not a professional photographer but would like to offer to take some photos for my own amusement.

Anyway, with this in mind, does anyone have any advice? I've taken photography in college about 14 years ago and have tinkered with it since then, but never anything professional. My main concerns are flash/exposure - since it isn't a digital camera there's no test and view shots. I'm signed up for a refresher photography course in September but that seems so far away.

For those that offer both photography and videography, how did you make the transistion to do both? Did you find it was a bit of a learning curve to do the wedding photography?

Colvin ADTR
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Jul 2, 2006, 11:17 AM

Post #2 of 18 (988 views)
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Re: [Shadow] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

go buy the canon rebel or the nikon d50 and shoot on auto for the first wedding. It is smart enough to let you concentrate on framing. You shouldn't have talked yourself down, now you can't sell them any prints. If you are offering it as a professional service, work out what you already have upto professional level that you can charge for, eg wedding experience. Buy lots of memory cards, machine gun the place and see what looks good so that you can repeat those shots at proper bookings. Research poses, that is where the difference is.

Shadow
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Jul 2, 2006, 10:16 PM

Post #3 of 18 (968 views)
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Re: [Colvin ADTR] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Colvin,

I have been researching poses and different ideas for quite some time now. I find that I have some great stills taken from videos that I wish were proper photos. I've been asked a few times if I offer photography but have always declined. One bridal consultant came to see my video demo and asked if I do photography, when I said no she said I should, and if I ever did to let her know and she would get me booked. But beauty is always in the eye of the beholder I suppose, I'd be worried that people wouldn't like their pictures.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'm saving for a camera, signed up for a summer crash course in 2 weeks for photography fundamentals (all of which I have studied but so long ago) and hope from there to start practicing whenever I can. The old film camera will have to do for now but renting a digital is always an option.

Cheers
H

RustyB
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Jul 3, 2006, 12:46 AM

Post #4 of 18 (962 views)
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Re: [Shadow] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

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...renting a digital is always an option. ...

That's what I'd do, if it won't be too expensive. Eat the cost of the rental for now, unless you can beg/borrow/steal the money to get a Canon Rebel XT, with a wide kit zoom lens, a telephoto lens, a flash, and a bunch of memory and batteries.

As far as flash/exposure, I was amazed at how intuitive my first DSLR is, with a TTL flash. No more programming the flash, or trying to match the camera settings to the flash. I just leave the flash in TTL auto, or "full power" for fill use outside, and the camera talks to the flash.

You could leave the camera in full auto settings, but since you already have some experience and instruction in photography, you could put the camera in "aperture priority" mode, to control DOF, then let the camera make the shutter speed adjustments automatically.

And you no longer have to worry about film ISO, as it's just a digital setting now. I've never done wedding photography, as the cost and thought of constantly swapping rolls of film seemed pretty intimidating.

With enough memory, batteries, and a good flash with diffuser, you be able to do like most younger photographers I see doing at weddings....shoot 2000+ photos, knowing they'll have to get lucky on a few shots!

This seems like a great opportunity to get a quick portfolio. I'd shoot a bunch of pictures, quickly sort through them and get them online. Set your markup for prints, and you're done. Hopefully they'll order enough prints to cover your costs.

I'm thinking of putting an ad in Craiglist, and shoot some weddings for free, and just upload them to my SmugMug account and sell prints. SmugMug does all the printing and payment handling. You charge whatever markup you want, and they keep their costs+commission.

Good luck!

Faith Poison Wedding Films Blog
Intergalactic Award-Winning Epic-Cinematic Wedding New-Doc Style Indie Bridal Movies on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Disc

Shadow
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Jul 3, 2006, 12:56 AM

Post #5 of 18 (960 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for the info.
I'd want to control the DOF, it is one of the best functions of a SLR camera. :)

I think I"m just paranoid that I'd over flash them and have their faces washed out. But practice makes perfect I suppose.

Your idea to do a few for free to build up a portfolio sounds like a good one.

RustyB
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Jul 3, 2006, 1:17 AM

Post #6 of 18 (959 views)
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Re: [Shadow] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

....I think I"m just paranoid that I'd over flash them and have their faces washed out. But practice makes perfect I suppose. ....

That's been one thing nice about having a DSLR with a TTL flash. I never used a flash much with my old cameras, as I usually took pictures outside. A couple of my flashes are adjustable, and one has no settings at all, so I never get the exposure right. With my DSLR, it's far easier. I have a hi-powered flash, with a StoFen OmniBounce-type diffuser on top. It looks great when bounced...(and the camera knows when you have it pointed up). The camera also knows when you have the flash pointed forwards, and automatically "zooms" the flash per the zoom lens on the camera. It's pretty foolproof.

Faith Poison Wedding Films Blog
Intergalactic Award-Winning Epic-Cinematic Wedding New-Doc Style Indie Bridal Movies on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Disc

Shadow
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Jul 3, 2006, 1:24 AM

Post #7 of 18 (957 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

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I've got to get me one of these!
Right now I've got the old SLR that I had to dust off before using.
I can only imagine what this little kit costs.

Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Jul 3, 2006, 2:03 AM

Post #8 of 18 (955 views)
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Re: [Shadow] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

You can get a starter kit for �1000. Seeing US prices you could get one for $1000 or less. Auction site prices in the US are half what we pay in the UK. You only need 3 lenses to start, a fast wide for interiors and groups, a 17-55 zoom, as fast as possible, and a 80-200 or similar. I also have a 50mm that I reverse for amazing macros and a 85mm portrait lens. All of them are second hand apart friom the kit lens. I shot a whole wedding on the kit lens, which shows how adaptable they are nowadays. I don't think I would work for free. You know weddings so that should entitle you to some profit to at least pay for the stuff you need for your next wedding. I would advertise first three at special offer to get attention but retain professiopnal status. Read the PPA forums for great marketing advice.

Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Jul 3, 2006, 2:22 AM

Post #9 of 18 (953 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Rusty. Get some more images online. I have a whole print run of product lines waiting for pictures with the "Russell Bryce" look.

RustyB
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Jul 3, 2006, 2:42 AM

Post #10 of 18 (952 views)
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Re: [Colvin ADTR] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Hey Rusty. Get some more images online. I have a whole print run of product lines waiting for pictures with the "Russell Bryce" look.

I'm about to get a new scanner, and upload a bunch of 35mm and 6x6 junk I've shot. Like you mentioned, I've been reading up on doing freelance stuff, and it'd be interesting to see what's possible in some different areas....aside from weddings. It'd be nice to not have your life revolve around wedding video and wedding photography, but just do'em when you have to, in order to make ends meet.

Faith Poison Wedding Films Blog
Intergalactic Award-Winning Epic-Cinematic Wedding New-Doc Style Indie Bridal Movies on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Disc

Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Jul 3, 2006, 3:19 AM

Post #11 of 18 (950 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah. I had a brain storm on ebay yesterday, so now I have to sell all my old junk to buy new junk. Frown

RustyB
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Jul 3, 2006, 3:33 AM

Post #12 of 18 (949 views)
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Yeah. I had a brain storm on ebay yesterday, so now I have to sell all my old junk to buy new junk. Frown

I'm ebaying all my video/photo gear...and moving on to the real moneymaking....

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Faith Poison Wedding Films Blog
Intergalactic Award-Winning Epic-Cinematic Wedding New-Doc Style Indie Bridal Movies on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Disc

Shadow
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Jul 3, 2006, 11:29 AM

Post #13 of 18 (928 views)
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Re: [Colvin ADTR] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks!

How many memory cards do you think I would need? (1 gig cards).

Right now I have a wide angle, reg lens and a multi lens, flash and film slr - plus my sony http://www.sonystyle.ca/...mp;productId=1001487

the sony isn't a slr and I'd be a bit embarassed to show up using that on a real shoot - but it would be useful as a back up/second camera as well as maybe testing for lighting since I can have a peek. I have a macro lens for it and it does take nice pictures for being mainly a point and shoot.
I can manually adjust the aparature on that but it really just is trying to be an slr when it isn't one.

I can't wait for my course next week - I feel like a little kid waiting for Santa to come.

Colvin ADTR
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Jul 3, 2006, 11:53 AM

Post #14 of 18 (923 views)
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Re: [Shadow] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

No reason you can't use a point and shoot. I think Jeff Ascough used to use one and he is one of the UK's high earners. The disadvantages of smaller ccd, slower speed and worse low light performance mean it shouldn't be main camera but I would consider something like a coolpix 8800 for second cam. It has advantages of the silent operation and the lcd preview.
Buy as many memory cards as you can. I had 2 gb for my first wedding and thought that was enough for ceremony and portraits but digital encourages you to experiment and try different angles. One can be tempted to use it to replace shooting wide and cropping by rolling off 5 shots at different zooms. If you get carried away you could easily shoot 100 shots per hour. Better to work out a shot list of possible album prints and take the list with you in case you have a brain stall. Just be prepared to act confident and take charge - it is expected of you and makes a bigger impression than equipment. I saw a bride today posting that her main requirement was a photog with charisma! If you are comfortable with film, that still works. Take your old slr for "feature" images and play up the fact that you "have to use this special film for unique qualities" Wink

Shadow
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Jul 3, 2006, 12:09 PM

Post #15 of 18 (921 views)
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Re: [Colvin ADTR] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Colvin,

Have you ever tried using any of the special films or filters? I suppose things like the infared film wouldn't work well for weddings :) but it would be interesting to take some nature shots with both the colour and b&w infared film and see what comes out.

In one of my photography books it suggests taking an old uv filter and smearing petrolium jelly on the outer edges to get a blurred effect. I'd hate to pack that back up in my case after but I might give it a try. If you blob it on thicker it gives a more dramatic effect.

I miss the old days having fun with the camera, double exposures, different fun projects I would do. Work, kids, house, and just life has left little time for such luxuries these past few years. It will be good to get back into it again.

Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Jul 3, 2006, 5:12 PM

Post #16 of 18 (913 views)
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Re: [Shadow] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Believe me it is a lot better in Photoshop, especially cs2 which has most of the colour filters ready to apply. I don't mess with film. I used to do mostly black and white home developing with my mate, then I got a summer job in a photo lab where I had to run one of the big machines. Glad to see the back of all the mess and fumbling in the dark. You can find actions to even improve on the old ways of getting effects, including lots of ways of making IR, even colour IR. There are a few very nice lomo filters around at the moment too. The only filters I have in physical form are my UV, polariser, diopter set and star. I keep the UV on all the time because digital is supposed to be more susceptible than film and I use the polariser for outside shots and the star for 1 or 2 stained glass window shots. There are lots of ways to make incredible soft focus effects. Start at the retouching forum at dpreview.com. I have had some interesting effects by breathing on the lens and taking shots as it clears, sometimes like a lensbaby effect. If digital had been around a bit sooner I might never have got into video so much. I love the way that I can buy so much good stuff in auctions, unlike hdv. Get ready to buy larger hard drives too. When you don't have developing costs, you tend to take your camera everywhere and shoot everything. I have taken more family shots in the past month than I did in the preceding 15 years. I was even out in the garden for 15 minutes this afternoon taking sky shots to replace the normally overcast UK sky in future weddings. I have never tried the vaseline trick, although I have had some fun with stockings.

RustyB
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Jul 3, 2006, 5:23 PM

Post #17 of 18 (912 views)
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Re: [Colvin ADTR] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

.....I have had some fun with stockings.

Me too...but it's been a while. Cool

Faith Poison Wedding Films Blog
Intergalactic Award-Winning Epic-Cinematic Wedding New-Doc Style Indie Bridal Movies on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Disc

Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Jul 3, 2006, 5:32 PM

Post #18 of 18 (911 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Going to give first try to photography... [In reply to]	Can't Post

trust you to pick up on it Laugh

. I was wondering who would see all the Benny Hill -type phrases.