Video University: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers: Some test shots from the 30D

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:
Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe

Jenn M
Veteran

Jul 8, 2006, 12:58 AM

Post #1 of 20 (1408 views)
Shortcut

Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe	Can't Post

Back from the rehearsal... and though it took me longer to figure out how to upload the pics and post them here (as I've said before I am not very computer savvy), I accomplished my goal... I think.

Will this work: LINK
Oh I stink at this stuff! Computers - ick. Love 'em and hate 'em

(This post was edited by Jenn M on Jul 8, 2006, 1:09 AM)

Jenn M
Veteran

Jul 8, 2006, 1:08 AM

Post #2 of 20 (1402 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jenn M] How do you post pics - I stink at this! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Anyway - what I learned was - I still have to practice w/ apeture and shutter settings - corresponding them. I have a really hard time wrapping my brain around apeture - I always did - large apeture is shallow; while a small apeture is wider DOF - huh? - but not really b/c it's a fraction - huh? (I was an English major - don't throw numbers at me - ugh). Anyway I'm waaaaay rusty. Many times I'm just not satisfied w/ program mode results so I prefer to switch to manual modes, but I's gots to practice.

- I have to remember to adjust my ISO.
- White balance - ugh
- I need my darn zoom... and my super wide.
-Gotta practice with those settings b/c I want to be able to concentrate more on composition.

Other than that - it was fun.

I was relieved showing up for the rehearsal. Apparently they built a new church right behind the old tiny one - so that made me feel better. Much more room, etc. And I got to see the bride and her dad again - and they were in very good spirits. Got to meet the bridal party and give some "tips" and got chummy with the preist by complimenting him on the new church. Oh, and we got to meet the groom, who is a very nervous and shy fellow, so hopefully we relaxed him a little by meeting him in advance.

And I got to snap some photos to boot.

RustyB
Veteran

Jul 8, 2006, 2:40 AM

Post #3 of 20 (1393 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jenn M] How do you post pics - I stink at this! [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

.......I'm waaaaay rusty......

Hey! You talk like that's a bad thing!! Mad

For the rehearsal, I woulda busted out the the flash! Cool

These pics are goog example of what has me worried. Since you can't use a flash, a lot of the shots have a very shallow DOF, and look out of focus. So you if you try shooting with a lower f-stop, your shutter speed decreases, and then you get blurry pictures. Crazy

I've been practicing shooting indoors handheld without a flash. I can really see how a lens with stabilization has gotta be a must for a wedding videographer. Plus, my Olympus is noisy at higher ISO's, which I guess is why you see so many Canon's at weddings. All the test shots I've seen shows they're the best in low light.

I'm also finding that auto white balance sucks indoors without a flash.

Were you choosing the ISO in all the pics, or was the camera changing it? Seems like it could have been pushed a little further?

Seems rather daunting...how the heck does a person make rehearsal pictures...and most ceremony/reception photos, halfway interesting? That has me worried as well. Crazy

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

videochicke
Veteran

Jul 8, 2006, 7:23 AM

Post #4 of 20 (1385 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jenn M] Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you are just starting out, and you have enough memory cards and Photoshop CS2 (the earlier versions do not handle raw files) , I would consider shooting your first few jobs in raw. There are way more corrections you can do after the fact as compared to JPEG, including fixing white balance problems. Just be aware the files are much bigger and you will go through memory cards at a much faster rate. Also, before correcting pics on your computer, I would send a few out to wherever you are having them printed, and match your monitor to the prints so you are adjusting them to how they will be printed rather than what looks good on your computer screen.
Julie

Brian M
Veteran

Jul 8, 2006, 10:59 AM

Post #5 of 20 (1375 views)
Shortcut

Re: [videochicke] Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe [In reply to]	Can't Post

I thought most photog shot in RAW. I chose a lower setting just for practice - so I could snap away and not worry about how many pics I took. The first day alone, I snapped over 400 in less than 2 hours. Shocked

Maybe I'm thinking backwards?...

(Oops this is Jenn)
Brian M

________________________________________________
Photographer & Videographer

(This post was edited by Brian M on Jul 8, 2006, 10:59 AM)

Bill Kinkle
Veteran

Jul 8, 2006, 10:59 AM

Post #6 of 20 (1375 views)
Shortcut

Re: [videochicke] Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I would send a few out to wherever you are having them printed, and match your monitor to the prints so you are adjusting them to how they will be printed rather than what looks good on your computer screen.

Julie,

If you have a colorimeter such as this one http://www.colorvision.com/...ofis_view.jsp?id=341 Do you still have to check with your printer first?

Jenn M
Veteran

Jul 8, 2006, 11:05 AM

Post #7 of 20 (1371 views)
Shortcut

Re: [RustyB] How do you post pics - I stink at this! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I purposely shot without flash. I want to get used to it, b/c that's the majority of the house rules 'round these parts. Also, I kind of like the look of it better... when it's done right - for ceremony anyway.

Also, I didn't want to freak the preist out and make him think we were going to be flashing like crazy the next day. We explained we're the videographers - but that's all greek to most of these guys.

No, I wasn't considering ISO until later. It totally slipped my mind. That's why I gotta practice and get a routine down for changing settings - just like we have done with video.

In Reply To

Seems rather daunting...how the heck does a person make rehearsal pictures...and most ceremony/reception photos, halfway interesting? That has me worried as well.

Remember - those shots are interesting to the person who is in them b/c it is their life and event. They have all kinds of memories and emotions attached to any particular image. That's why, in some ways, it so easy - I think. You can take a shot of almost anything and they will usually assign some meaning to it - while to me, it's boring.

Jenn M
Veteran

Jul 8, 2006, 11:07 AM

Post #8 of 20 (1370 views)
Shortcut

Re: [RustyB] How do you post pics - I stink at this! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Also - I was handheld with some very slow shutters - I knew it was going to have some blur, but more than anything, I wanted to test exposures. I knew I needed a tripod. A few times I leaned on a pew, but it's just not the same.

Shadow
Veteran

Jul 8, 2006, 11:30 AM

Post #9 of 20 (1367 views)
Shortcut

Re: [videochicke] Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe [In reply to]	Can't Post

How many memory cards do you think one would need? Would 2 or 3 1 gig cards be enough?

RustyB
Veteran

Jul 8, 2006, 12:00 PM

Post #10 of 20 (1362 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Shadow] Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

How many memory cards do you think one would need? Would 2 or 3 1 gig cards be enough?

All I have is one 4gb card, for my 8mp camera. It will hold 289 RAW files, or 634 best quality 3264x2448 JPG's. So with a second body, I think I'd need a lot more memory. At least the price has seriously dropped on CF cards!

If I shoot weddings, I don't plan on shooting a lot of RAW....because I don't plan on spending countless hours tweaking 1000's of boring wedding pictures. Maybe for some really important shots?

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

Scott Brooks
Veteran

Jul 9, 2006, 1:40 AM

Post #11 of 20 (1330 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Shadow] Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe [In reply to]	Can't Post

I started the year out with 6 - 1 gig cards. About four weeks ago I purchased 2 - 2 gig cards. This week I took delivery on 2 - 4 gig cards. I think I'm finally set! Wink

ETA: I forgot to say this, but you probably figured it out ... we shoot RAW.

(This post was edited by Sparky on Jul 9, 2006, 1:41 AM)

RustyB
Veteran

Jul 9, 2006, 2:02 AM

Post #12 of 20 (1328 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Sparky] Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I started the year out with 6 - 1 gig cards. About four weeks ago I purchased 2 - 2 gig cards. This week I took delivery on 2 - 4 gig cards. I think I'm finally set! Wink

ETA: I forgot to say this, but you probably figured it out ... we shoot RAW.

How many pics do you shoot per wedding..personally..and how many cams so you use? Some photogs tell me they shoot aroung 2000+ pics at a wedding now. Seems absurd...but...

I shot like 57 pics in about 20 minutes last night just sitting at my desk, and about 40 more today in the same spot, just experimenting different ISO, aperture, WB, shutter speed, Budweiser, and meter mode settings. Deleted them all as crap.

Totally different than with film, where I stare at rolls of film collecting dust in my fridge or on the shelf, and plan for weeks where I'll go expose a roll or two. Then I come home and wonder what I'll have to sell to get them processed. Laugh

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

Scott Brooks
Veteran

Jul 9, 2006, 2:30 AM

Post #13 of 20 (1326 views)
Shortcut

Re: [RustyB] Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I would probably say that I shoot about 2/3 of the shot. Two weeks ago we shot 1200. I told my daughter that we had to start shooting a bit more "judisiously?" So what do I do ... go out and buy two 4 gig cards. DUH!

Today was a small wedding (reception in the fellowship hall, but very nice and laid back) and I haven't got the total yet ... downloading them right now. I'm going guess that we had somewhere around 800 to 900. I'm very willing to take any shots where family makes a request.

Next two weeks I would almost be willing to bet that we shoot closer to 2000.

NOW ... I could shoot less, but I'm new and I take multiples of everything. Any formal shot is taken a minimum of three times.

It'll take me a while to edit them, but not near as long as editing a video. Wink

RustyB
Veteran

Jul 9, 2006, 3:03 AM

Post #14 of 20 (1325 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Sparky] Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

...I told my daughter that we had to start shooting a bit more "judisiously?" So what do I do ... go out and buy two 4 gig cards. DUH! ...

It's that darned digital mentality!!! Laugh

I'm not real photographer, and don't know all about it, but I wonder if I could sell brides on the fun stuff I like to do. Try to sell interesting photographs over BULK photographs. I picked up a POS cheap medium format Rolleiflex TLR knock-off on eBay, which I'm going to start restoring tomorrow. The focus knob is stuck, but I think I can fix it...I'll just use the digital camera to take pictures of my disassembly in case I get drunk. (Hey digital IS good for something! Laugh

) I could imagine selling wedding pictures from it for a wedding. I might not get many, but they'd definitley be better looking than digital camera photos, which look like video frame grabs. I got a $20 toy Holga 6x6 camera, with a plastic lens, and it takes mindboggling pictures that blow away my 35mm stuff! Laugh

I once shot a wedding with a dude that was an Elvis impersonator/photographer (no, he didn't dress like Elvis at the wedding) who shot the entire wedding+reception with I think a Hasselblad type camera on a majorly heavy tripod. He didn't take many pictures at all. He didn't even have a website. I bet he was getting paid some serious cash. I refer him all the time, I was so impressed, without even seeing his portfolio. You Houston guys probably know who I'm talking about. I have no idea what my point is...I'm about half way through my 12-pack....I guess I need to go over to my editing computer and get some work done before I wake up on the floor again. Laugh

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

Scott Brooks
Veteran

Jul 9, 2006, 3:19 AM

Post #15 of 20 (1321 views)
Shortcut

Re: [RustyB] Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just for the record ... I never tell the bride how many photos to expect ... never. So selling them on the quantity sold is not even a consideration. No one here is selling bulk. They either like your images or they don't. They either like YOU or they don't.

That, by the way, is a totally different thread worthy of discussion.

But I'll probably move that one into the clubhouse.

Shadow
Veteran

Jul 9, 2006, 5:04 PM

Post #16 of 20 (1299 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jenn M] Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've been shooting piccies left and right this weekend. Just separated them into 4 piles of like, exposure probs, composition is off and a what the hell happened here pile.

I can see how helpful having a digital cam to quickly check exposure would be so helpful. I did get some nice ones though, when I have time I"ll scan them and post a link for those with a good eye to comment.

:)
H

Jenn M
Veteran

Jul 9, 2006, 5:59 PM

Post #17 of 20 (1295 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Shadow] Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

How many memory cards do you think one would need? Would 2 or 3 1 gig cards be enough?

For shooting weddings, I was repeatedly advised to have at least 10 gigs. So far I purchased 2 2-gig cards for practice.

Shadow
Veteran

Jul 9, 2006, 6:37 PM

Post #18 of 20 (1291 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Jenn M] Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe [In reply to]	Can't Post

thanks

RustyB
Veteran

Jul 9, 2006, 7:46 PM

Post #19 of 20 (1286 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Sparky] Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Just for the record ... I never tell the bride how many photos to expect ... never. So selling them on the quantity sold is not even a consideration. ...

I was kinda worried that if I start out booking budget brides, they'll be like budget video customers, and shop purely on price+how many photos you will give them. The whole quantity over quality thing that I used to have to deal with. Crazy

I wouldn't want to shoot too many anyways...I don't want to sort through thousands of pictures when I get home. Just get rid of the bad ones, edit as FEW as possible, and get them uploaded ASAP so they can order prints.

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

Scott Brooks
Veteran

Jul 9, 2006, 7:56 PM

Post #20 of 20 (1284 views)
Shortcut

Re: [RustyB] Some test shots from the 30D - pics inside... maybe [In reply to]	Can't Post

No one has even asked me yet how many photos I'll be shooting ... but I've planned for it. The best answer and most honest answer I have is, "We do not put any restrictions on the number of photos we will take at your wedding. We'll be shooting whatever amount is needed to properly cover your wedding day."

If they push it I'll probably tell them that they could reasonably expect about 300 files, but that is not a set number, nor do we make any promises. If you tell them 400 and they get 375 ... someone / somewhere is going to complain. Unsure