The Photography Hangout Thread

[Grimace427]

I am on the verge of trying to make photography my full time gig.

I am following my dad who is currently retired gov't with the time and money to pursue photography. Once he sets up shop will likely be what pushes me to quit being a technician and go pro-tog. Definitely scary as I've only been a technician for my entire professional career but I'm losing the passion for it.

I don't think there's any amount of money in the world that could convince me to do wedding photography. Nope nope nope. lol

Hahaha I know what you mean! Family or close friend would be the only ways to get me to shoot a wedding. Recently spoke to a friend who was not satisfied with their wedding photographer. We might talk about redoing some of their formal shots(obviously not of the ceremony).

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[Grimace427]

Agreed. Lol. I have difficulties with people, I'm very picky so I probably wouldn't even want to photograph half the people that want photos because they wouldn't be photogenic to me.. as bad as that sounds.. Lol.

I suffer from moderate social anxiety so meeting new people is extremely difficult for me without some reason to meet them like say work. As weird as it seems though I'd really like to get into portrait photography for what feels like that instant gratification when the model sees their photo and is happy with the results.

 

[GoBlues38]

there is nothing as satisfying as having a client send you a christmas card made with your work, or a big 60x40 of your work hanging over their fireplace. That makes it all worth while.

 

[RyStang72]

Yeah, that free work thing is a sticky subject.

Good photographers are rare. Now a days, anyone with a digital camera thinks they can be a "photographer". Which in some regards is true.

I am guilty of it too. My first wedding I shot I did for $400. This in the age of $2,000 basic wedding package. But even though I had the skill, I had no resume, so I had to lower my cost, and find someone who needed a "cheap" photographer. I was what the high end guys hate.

But was a starting point. I used it to build my resume and upped my prices on each new shoot. I am still not a $3,000 wedding guy, but I am not giving my work away any more. I am on the verge of trying to make photography my full time gig.

Not to pat myself or other "photographers" on the back too much. But it does take a set of stones to know a bride and groom (normally) have one wedding, and 1 shot in their life time to do the vows, cut the cake, first kiss, ect ect. They have entrusted you with that moment. You better know your sh!t and have a plan when you take the shots. You dont have the luxury of saying, "hold on, my exposure is not correct" in the middle of a wedding.

Senior pictures and family portraits are not quite as bad, but have their moments too.

Going out and doing car shots gets me back to having fun with my gear.

Hi Scott,

Nice to see another Wedding "tog", i started exactly the same as yourself, a couple of freebies, a few paid, each time getting better and better, each time increasing the cost..

I've found that taking paid photography limits why i originally started out, for the love of photography, i need to get back to taking pictures for me again!

And what better way of doing it than to shoot some Stang's!

Ryan

 

[DarkSubRosa]

I'm finally starting to really want to get back into shooting. I learned in a darkroom with film and have an old ass 20D.. that shows my age lol. I just got burnt with designing for a living and essentially coming home to do more felt like work. So all my equipment got sold or collected dust for a long time. I'm hoping to not have to keep renting and maybe pick up a full frame body and some lights to start doing it more for fun again with the car.

 

[Diego Narwhal]

I don't think there's any amount of money in the world that could convince me to do wedding photography. Nope nope nope. lol

I did a wedding...ONE wedding...I'd rather pound rusty spikes into both ears than ever do one again...:doh:

 

[Diego Narwhal]

Hi Scott,

Nice to see another Wedding "tog", i started exactly the same as yourself, a couple of freebies, a few paid, each time getting better and better, each time increasing the cost..

I've found that taking paid photography limits why i originally started out, for the love of photography, i need to get back to taking pictures for me again!

And what better way of doing it than to shoot some Stang's!

Ryan

Nothing better...

 

[Diego Narwhal]

Since we're talking about photography in general...

I'm very new to shooting cars, and it's a fun learning experience. My background is more in line with nature and wildlife fine art stuff, and I also do some portrait and family stuff, as well as a good bit of event shooting. Between my day job, which is in IT, and getting back into the world of cars, something I've been out of for a couple decades, I haven't had much time to shoot for fun, but this is the kind of stuff I love...

 

[ks_s550]

Since we're talking about photography in general...

I'm very new to shooting cars, and it's a fun learning experience. My background is more in line with nature and wildlife fine art stuff, and I also do some portrait and family stuff, as well as a good bit of event shooting. Between my day job, which is in IT, and getting back into the world of cars, something I've been out of for a couple decades, I haven't had much time to shoot for fun, but this is the kind of stuff I love...

Beautiful pictures! I am in the same position as you. I have tons of experience shooting events, landscapes, and people, but little experience shooting cars.

 

[Digital_Synapse]

Thanks man! Yeah, it was perfect timing. I was afraid it'd still be a little too bright at that time, but turned out perfect.

Absolutely. I really like the prime too. Just makes it that much more simple for me. I don't mind walking around lol. I definitely am glad I didn't go the 55mm route.

You're shooting crop sensor right? I need a new 50 1.4. Mine has seen a few thousand pics. The focus started to warp and stick. Had to disassemble and smooth it out and reassemble. Works great now but was super stressful taking the damn thing apart. I probably have 30,000 pics on that lens, easy.

 

[e2blade]

Killer Photo!! Definite wallpaper!

Total beginner question....lol. Could you explain a little more about the 30 exposures? If you walked around the car with one flash how is this all put together? Is it the same shots with the light in different areas? Also, what do software do you use for post processing?

Thanks!!
G-

It is very easy. Take multiple shots, you MUST remember to:
Set manual mode
Remove auto ISO
Set WB
Set shutter
and set aperture.

First, you want to shoot a base image, a photo with yourself not in it as you will use it as your main layer in PS.
Your series will be slightly underexposed to really make your highlights and shadows pop with the flash.
Do not change any of these settings while creating that one photo or things will get hard to blend together.
You'll end up with this:

Afterwards, take all of those images into LR, apply a preset, make some brush adjustments and then open them "as a layer" in PS. Select all your layers, auto align them and then disable all the layers besides your "base image". Start by enabling each layer and creating a layer mask on top of that layer to delete yourself and other objects out from the "flash layer" that you will be working on.

Appreciate the info.

Would you be interested in selling the Yongnuos since you don't do quick shoots any more?

I have a hard time getting people to pay $75 for a shoot for 15+ photos so your B1 is a little out of my price range. Lol.

Yeah I have heard of Alien Bees, a buddy of mine uses one for his shots but even then they are like $400. Sucks being in college paying for a wedding and trying to schedule shoots with people that back out because they don't want to pay. Lol.

Honestly, I like to have them around just in case I have a last minute shoot and i'm to lazy to bust out the profotos. You can get them all day on amazon for 70 bucks. But to rub it in, they are collecting dust lol.

Yeah, the creative world is riddled with people wanting shit for free. Don't get me started on that. I'm an art director and freelancer on the side. I take half payment up front for new clients and don't deal with that type of bs. /rant

The struggle is very real, but with networking and polished skills, you'll go a long ways.

 

[Nathanbrummer@SCS]

Since we're talking about photography in general...

I'm very new to shooting cars, and it's a fun learning experience. My background is more in line with nature and wildlife fine art stuff, and I also do some portrait and family stuff, as well as a good bit of event shooting. Between my day job, which is in IT, and getting back into the world of cars, something I've been out of for a couple decades, I haven't had much time to shoot for fun, but this is the kind of stuff I love...

Good stuff right there!

 

[Nathanbrummer@SCS]

Playing with my new toy. Still working out some things, but getting close.

 

[Diego Narwhal]

Agreed. Lol. I have difficulties with people, I'm very picky so I probably wouldn't even want to photograph half the people that want photos because they wouldn't be photogenic to me.. as bad as that sounds.. Lol.

That's one of the reasons I would never want to do any sort of people photography for a living. I have to have a connection with who I'm shooting, and if I don't, I don't have the personality to create one.

Beautiful pictures! I am in the same position as you. I have tons of experience shooting events, landscapes, and people, but little experience shooting cars.

Thanks! Now all we have to do is translate that experience into some rockin' car shots!

Good stuff right there!

Thanks Nathan!

 

[Diego Narwhal]

Playing with my new toy. Still working out some things, but getting close.

Speakin of good stuff! Excellent!

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