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07/18/2008 11:04:34 PM · #51 |
there is an 'talent' and there is 'skill' - excess of one can make up for lack in the other to a great degree, but the better the balance of the two the better the photography. Skill comes from education and practice, learning from one's mistakes. Some folks have a natural eye -they do leading lines or rule of thirds almost as easily as they breathe, some see light like they were gifted or something. The ability to do posing is rarely a natural talent (in the photographer's head) and no one is born knowing the techy bits.
Some pick a good focal length or aperture without training, others need a cheat sheet for years. Neither is an indication of success - perserverance is the key to success. How many lightbulbs did Edison fail with before he got the one that worked? Henry Ford's car company (the one we know as his) was his third company to make cars. If you want it bad enough, whatever 'it' is, you can have it if you are willing to keep trying and not accept defeat along the way.
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07/19/2008 02:37:59 AM · #52 |
Wow, so many responses!
First, let me just say: new and improved portfolio. (Some of these still need processing...) Possibly better, although not significantly...
Thank you, Simms and Juliet, for your honesty. I don't have too much feedback on my images and definitely need all the help I can get! I've really begun to concentrate on lighting, but have a long way to go with processing.
Thanks also for all the encouragement!
will eta more later, when it is not incredibly late...
ETA: I've just had an extremely long email from another recent high-school grad that sounded exactly like what Simms said. (Actually, I thought it was Simms for a second...talk about alternate reality!)
Probably the wisest thing for me to do at this point in time is to hold off another year, keep doing what I'm doing (which is convincing as many people as possible to let me take their pictures and trying out lighting solutions, along with learning my lens), try to get a job during college to earn some L glass (or some not-kit lenses anyways) and work on getting a business system going when I'm not trying to keep it in the air and learn everything about photography at the same time. (Although, how on earth I'm going to manage to afford schoolbooks and everything without at least $200 more than I can possibly make at my current job this summer is beyond me...)
Message edited by author 2008-07-19 20:59:24. |
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07/19/2008 11:18:08 AM · #53 |
Originally posted by Mick:
Originally posted by Simms:
Originally posted by zackdezon:
Wait, Ansel Adams is on DPC? What's his username? |
Mick |
No, I'm not Ansel Adams. I'm much better than he ever dreamed of being. :)
Jessie,
Don't let Simms here discourage you. What he said about you lacking talent is just his opinion. And you know what they say about opinions; many of them come with an asshole attached... or something like that. ;) |
OK, lets get something straight, I did not say she lacked talent. I said at this moment in time she should really concentrate on improving her skills both on the camera and in the processing department, an opinion I arrived at by viewing the images she had in her portfolio at the time and decided they wasn't that good. I wasn't trying to discourage her from photography, more from going into business as a photographer when she obviously has a lot to learn. Just because someone buys a camera doesn't automatically make them a photographer, thats like saying if I went out and bought a piano that would make me a pianist. By definition of the word maybe it does, but I wouldn't dream of trying to sell my piano playing skills to the general public. |
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07/19/2008 08:59:59 PM · #54 |
| Added more to previous post |
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07/19/2008 10:22:12 PM · #55 |
Originally posted by zackdezon:
Originally posted by Simms:
Originally posted by justamistere:
When you can get a ribbon or higher-placing here, your skills are at a certain level. |
Higher than a ribbon?? wow..
anyway, that comment is total nonsense, getting a ribbon on DPC means jack-sh*t in the real world. Remember, even Ansel Adams couldn't win the "Ansel Adams" challenge, so that basically says it all. |
Wait, Ansel Adams is on DPC? What's his username?
ETA: Zack DeZon is an idiotic newbie who doesn't research his photographic legends before he talks about him. Dead for 24 years now, eh? Stupid, stupid, stupid.
But, I'm still puzzled by the comment I quoted--what did it mean? I mean clearly he can't win the challenge in his current state, but that wasn't what it sounded like what was meant. |
We had an "Ansel Adams" challenge. The admins entered, under a bogus account, an actual Ansel image. It finished in top 10 but did not ribbon. That's what's being referred to.
R.
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07/19/2008 10:36:41 PM · #56 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
We had an "Ansel Adams" challenge. The admins entered, under a bogus account, an actual Ansel image. It finished in top 10 but did not ribbon. That's what's being referred to.
R. |
Here's what Robert is referring to"
I love the DQ details: "Photographer is dead. Dead people can't submit to challenges." |
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07/20/2008 04:30:11 AM · #57 |
Originally posted by JesiLynR:
Probably the wisest thing for me to do at this point in time is to hold off another year, keep doing what I'm doing (which is convincing as many people as possible to let me take their pictures and trying out lighting solutions, along with learning my lens), try to get a job during college to earn some L glass (or some not-kit lenses anyways) and work on getting a business system going when I'm not trying to keep it in the air and learn everything about photography at the same time. (Although, how on earth I'm going to manage to afford schoolbooks and everything without at least $200 more than I can possibly make at my current job this summer is beyond me...) |
OK, if you want to get a new lens, the first one I will recommend to someone on a budget would be the Canon 50mm 1.8, you can pick these up dirt cheap, even brand new (less than $100) and the image quality is great, if far surpasses the kit lens. Granted, you don't have the flexibility of a zoom, but you can achieve some great images with the wide aperture and it sharp optics. Its ideal for portraits. Check out some of the images created by DPC user using this lens HERE.
Good luck, we will all encourage you as much as we can and some of us will offer real advice instead of just buttering you up so as not to hurt your feelings. |
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07/20/2008 01:10:09 PM · #58 |
One additional suggestion. Create a simple one-page contract for customers to sign. I use one in my home business. It makes you appear more professional, gets everything down in writing, and can head off any liability issues (since most small, home businesses do not have the money or really much need for insurance).
It can include rates, date/time of appointment/shoot, release for posting the pictures on your website, and liability waiver. Include a place to sign and date at the bottom. Covers lots of the issues raised here previously.
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07/20/2008 01:32:26 PM · #59 |
Originally posted by kellyo:
One additional suggestion. Create a simple one-page contract for customers to sign. I use one in my home business. It makes you appear more professional, gets everything down in writing, and can head off any liability issues (since most small, home businesses do not have the money or really much need for insurance).
It can include rates, date/time of appointment/shoot, release for posting the pictures on your website, and liability waiver. Include a place to sign and date at the bottom. Covers lots of the issues raised here previously. |
are liablity waivers legal?
If they are...awesome...anyone have a sample of some legit, legal terminology to release the photographer from liability...that would be great...
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07/21/2008 12:18:22 AM · #60 |
Originally posted by Simms:
Originally posted by JesiLynR:
Probably the wisest thing for me to do at this point in time is to hold off another year, keep doing what I'm doing (which is convincing as many people as possible to let me take their pictures and trying out lighting solutions, along with learning my lens), try to get a job during college to earn some L glass (or some not-kit lenses anyways) and work on getting a business system going when I'm not trying to keep it in the air and learn everything about photography at the same time. (Although, how on earth I'm going to manage to afford schoolbooks and everything without at least $200 more than I can possibly make at my current job this summer is beyond me...) |
OK, if you want to get a new lens, the first one I will recommend to someone on a budget would be the Canon 50mm 1.8, you can pick these up dirt cheap, even brand new (less than $100) and the image quality is great, if far surpasses the kit lens. Granted, you don't have the flexibility of a zoom, but you can achieve some great images with the wide aperture and it sharp optics. Its ideal for portraits. Check out some of the images created by DPC user using this lens HERE.
Good luck, we will all encourage you as much as we can and some of us will offer real advice instead of just buttering you up so as not to hurt your feelings. |
Yeah, that lens is definitely on my list of lenses to buy...currently also on that list are the 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 and the 85mm f/1.8. (Also, if I suddenly become a millionaire, I'd like...well, obviously the L versions of both those lenses, but also the 135mm f/2L.) Along with some kind of flash.
Thanks so much! Definitely I will try to take some photo classes (luckily the school I'm going to is an art school instead of like a science school...) and learn more about lighting/composition/processing/everything else, lol.
@kellyo: how does yours look? Or can you share?
I was going to say something else but I seem to have forgotten. Oh well. |
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07/21/2008 10:26:05 AM · #61 |
If you want to rent at very affordable weekly and multiple week rentals, check my site. //www.rentphotostuff.com
Everything will show up out of stock, but thats just because my partner and I are going to Boulder CO to shoot a wedding/vacation. Once we get back we will be rocking again.
I usually am very open to cutting deals w/ DPC folks, so if you want something special let me know.
Justin |
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07/21/2008 11:48:53 AM · #62 |
Originally posted by egamble:
Originally posted by kellyo:
One additional suggestion. Create a simple one-page contract for customers to sign. I use one in my home business. It makes you appear more professional, gets everything down in writing, and can head off any liability issues (since most small, home businesses do not have the money or really much need for insurance).
It can include rates, date/time of appointment/shoot, release for posting the pictures on your website, and liability waiver. Include a place to sign and date at the bottom. Covers lots of the issues raised here previously. |
are liablity waivers legal?
If they are...awesome...anyone have a sample of some legit, legal terminology to release the photographer from liability...that would be great... |
Yeah, they are legal. I used to teach horseback riding at an academy and we made every customer sign one before they were allowed near the horses. It pretty much just stated that the customer would not hold the stables liable if they were injured while on the premises. Pretty simple English too. I would google it, see if you can find an example, and write your own. :) |
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07/21/2008 12:05:13 PM · #63 |
Originally posted by TCGuru:
Originally posted by egamble:
Originally posted by kellyo:
One additional suggestion. Create a simple one-page contract for customers to sign. I use one in my home business. It makes you appear more professional, gets everything down in writing, and can head off any liability issues (since most small, home businesses do not have the money or really much need for insurance).
It can include rates, date/time of appointment/shoot, release for posting the pictures on your website, and liability waiver. Include a place to sign and date at the bottom. Covers lots of the issues raised here previously. |
are liablity waivers legal?
If they are...awesome...anyone have a sample of some legit, legal terminology to release the photographer from liability...that would be great... |
Yeah, they are legal. I used to teach horseback riding at an academy and we made every customer sign one before they were allowed near the horses. It pretty much just stated that the customer would not hold the stables liable if they were injured while on the premises. Pretty simple English too. I would google it, see if you can find an example, and write your own. :) |
I'd talk to an attorney before proceeding without liability insurance and trying to work under a liability waiver.
A waiver won't cover damages stemming from negligence, intentional or not.
Also, the law on such things will likely vary from state to state and if you have the wrong verbage, your waiver may be invalid in any case.
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07/21/2008 12:20:48 PM · #64 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by TCGuru:
Originally posted by egamble:
Originally posted by kellyo:
One additional suggestion. Create a simple one-page contract for customers to sign. I use one in my home business. It makes you appear more professional, gets everything down in writing, and can head off any liability issues (since most small, home businesses do not have the money or really much need for insurance).
It can include rates, date/time of appointment/shoot, release for posting the pictures on your website, and liability waiver. Include a place to sign and date at the bottom. Covers lots of the issues raised here previously. |
are liablity waivers legal?
If they are...awesome...anyone have a sample of some legit, legal terminology to release the photographer from liability...that would be great... |
Yeah, they are legal. I used to teach horseback riding at an academy and we made every customer sign one before they were allowed near the horses. It pretty much just stated that the customer would not hold the stables liable if they were injured while on the premises. Pretty simple English too. I would google it, see if you can find an example, and write your own. :) |
I'd talk to an attorney before proceeding without liability insurance and trying to work under a liability waiver.
A waiver won't cover damages stemming from negligence, intentional or not.
Also, the law on such things will likely vary from state to state and if you have the wrong verbage, your waiver may be invalid in any case. |
Nononono, it is not a replacement for liability insurance. It is simply a form that states you won't get sued if little johnny jumps off your couch because he is ADHD and breaks his leg and the parent wasn't watching him.
It pretty much releases you from negligence on the customer's part. Like, I told you not to run behind that horse because he kicks, you aren't watching your kid and he does, kid gets kicked, we didn't get sued because you signed the waiver.
Different circumstances if I neglected to tell you that the horse kicked and you ran behind him and got your head tattooed with a horshoe print.
Sorry if that wasn't clear :) |
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07/21/2008 01:14:45 PM · #65 |
Originally posted by TCGuru:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by TCGuru:
Originally posted by egamble:
Originally posted by kellyo:
One additional suggestion. Create a simple one-page contract for customers to sign. I use one in my home business. It makes you appear more professional, gets everything down in writing, and can head off any liability issues (since most small, home businesses do not have the money or really much need for insurance).
It can include rates, date/time of appointment/shoot, release for posting the pictures on your website, and liability waiver. Include a place to sign and date at the bottom. Covers lots of the issues raised here previously. |
are liablity waivers legal?
If they are...awesome...anyone have a sample of some legit, legal terminology to release the photographer from liability...that would be great... |
Yeah, they are legal. I used to teach horseback riding at an academy and we made every customer sign one before they were allowed near the horses. It pretty much just stated that the customer would not hold the stables liable if they were injured while on the premises. Pretty simple English too. I would google it, see if you can find an example, and write your own. :) |
I'd talk to an attorney before proceeding without liability insurance and trying to work under a liability waiver.
A waiver won't cover damages stemming from negligence, intentional or not.
Also, the law on such things will likely vary from state to state and if you have the wrong verbage, your waiver may be invalid in any case. |
Nononono, it is not a replacement for liability insurance. It is simply a form that states you won't get sued if little johnny jumps off your couch because he is ADHD and breaks his leg and the parent wasn't watching him.
It pretty much releases you from negligence on the customer's part. Like, I told you not to run behind that horse because he kicks, you aren't watching your kid and he does, kid gets kicked, we didn't get sued because you signed the waiver.
Different circumstances if I neglected to tell you that the horse kicked and you ran behind him and got your head tattooed with a horshoe print.
Sorry if that wasn't clear :) |
OK. |
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07/22/2008 05:44:19 PM · #66 |
So, I was working today and this guy comes in wanting to put up posters for his band...I was like "do you want a photographer?" and he was like "...you know what, I might!"
I got home and there was a message on a phone -- this lady got my info from the guy and wants me to shoot at a fundraiser event. They're not gonna pay me (sad) but they are gonna let me borrow a "really nice camera" (I don't know what), a computer, and a printer. Also, I get a tent and a table and the time to use that as an advertising thing.
I'm so excited!!!
(except, I might not get to do it, I'm supposed to go to Michigan the day before with my boyfriend and his family, but that might be postponed because his sis just had a baby a week ago and has the "baby blues"....I really hope everything works out...!) |
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07/22/2008 05:46:22 PM · #67 |
That is so cool Jessie! Good for you you asked him (I'd never dare, haha!)
Congrats and good luck!
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07/22/2008 05:53:54 PM · #68 |
Originally posted by biteme:
That is so cool Jessie! Good for you you asked him (I'd never dare, haha!)
Congrats and good luck! |
Haha thanks!! Well, I kinda knew him already (I recognized him that is), he's a youth pastor at the Assemblies of God church in my town and he interviewed at my work...lol if I hadn't known who he was I totally wouldn't have. |
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07/22/2008 05:55:12 PM · #69 |
The insurance is an easy part if you, or your mother, owns your own home. You can have your business added as a rider on the home owners insurance. It doesn't bring it up too high. Good luck and I'm glad your going for it!!!
Originally posted by JesiLynR:
Would it be OK, do you think, to print using the DPCPrints system? Or would that be taking advantage of it?
The freewebs buttons...ugh I hate them too, lol. I've only just now figured out the way to get rid of them, yay!! (There's a checker that runs through and checks to see that the little javascript plugin is there...took some fancy CSS to get rid of them. Which, of course, I was able to do because of my mad talents....;P)
How would one get that kind of insurance?
About model releases -- I'm talkin to the teen on there on Friday, can probably ask her to sign one. The pics of the baby are probably going to leave, they weren't so great in the first place (I had that particular camera for three weeks before I gave up on it and returned it...I like my XT a billion times better :) ) |
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