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03/17/2005 01:06:56 AM · #1 |
I was just asked by a good friend to take picutres of her and her fourteen cousins for birthday present. I told her that with something like this she might want someone with more experience...she said experience costs money...I said experience makes great photos. Nonetheless, she persisted that I should take these pictures. Now with all that pressure we have these following problems...
1. We might have a studio with lighting to use from a Community College. If not, we might have to shoot outside, which poses its own problems.
2. I have no practical experience with studio photography.
3. I'm not sure my current equipment 300d, 50mm 1.8, 18-55mm is the right kind of equipment we'd need.
Anyway, I'd love some lens ideas as well as some alternatives to studio shots. Thanks in advance for any ideas and encouragement...Laters
Mark |
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03/17/2005 01:38:48 AM · #2 |
Your equipment can definatly handle this job. As long as you can. When I had my first dozen plus family photo shoot it was a bit intimidating. The first rule that my wife { and assistant} use is to be relaxed and have fun. Since our sitting fee goes by the hour we take the whole hour to get as many different variations of poses as posible.
With a large group if you have to be outside { wich really does work well often } make sure you find a large evenly shady area. It helps if you can be elivated higher than the group. then try different variations ie.. two rows of triangel type wear one side is facing the other. man women man woman the variations are endless.
If ther are very small children than good luck because although still very duable this requires a whole new level of patonts.
It all comes down to this. If you call or want to call yourself a photographer that take the job. Have fun, Learn, really learn, dont be afraid to be creative. Oh yea i have found that the customers actually like being ordered what to do. so tell them what to do, were to stand how to tilt there head, smile dont smile exc....
sorry for the long post. I think youll have fun and learn a lot from this experience. Lights I almost forgot light. If you take the shots outdoos than natural lighting can work great. If you take them indoors somwere than this could be bad. indoor lighting generaly stink especialy with a large croud. Just food for thout, Hope i helped a little, Kevin
Message edited by author 2005-03-17 01:54:23.
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03/17/2005 11:42:56 AM · #3 |
| bump...i'd love some more ideas about lenses or anything |
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03/17/2005 11:54:19 AM · #4 |
| Do it out doors. It will be easier if your experience is limitted. Keeping the attention of 15 people to keep all eyes forward can be a big challange. Make sure you use a tripod. You final photo will need to be a 16x20 at least to get a good head (face) size with that many people. Go to //www.cpq.net and download their ROES system and call them and ask them how to use it so you can submit your photo and have it done professionally. Take the cost of the printing, shipping etc, and multiply if by a factor of abour 4.5 to charge your customer. I have used CPQ for years and they produce a great print, a real photograph, not an inkhet. |
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03/17/2005 12:47:34 PM · #5 |
You have the perfect equipment for the job. I use both those lenses for portraits. The main thing is to watch your lighting and exposure. Should be fun. Don't stress on it just go with the flow and tell them to be patient with you while you mess with your settings.
Good luck! |
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03/17/2005 01:13:24 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by gwphoto:
Do it out doors. It will be easier if your experience is limitted. Keeping the attention of 15 people to keep all eyes forward can be a big challange. Make sure you use a tripod. You final photo will need to be a 16x20 at least to get a good head (face) size with that many people. Go to //www.cpq.net and download their ROES system and call them and ask them how to use it so you can submit your photo and have it done professionally. Take the cost of the printing, shipping etc, and multiply if by a factor of abour 4.5 to charge your customer. I have used CPQ for years and they produce a great print, a real photograph, not an inkhet. |
Interesting site - very film oriented and no pricing info.
Mutliply by 4.5?? I have seen the cost of a fuji or kodak 'real print' runs $2-$3.5 (8x10). So you are saying charge the client $9 to $16 for an 8x10? Interesting math solution. Simple and it works.
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03/17/2005 01:21:13 PM · #7 |
Outdoors may be easier than a studio BUT outdoors you have NO control over the light. or weather. I have postponed a shoot for 3 weekends now..weather issues. Also, the trees and such outside here are butt ugly this time of year.
The 50mm will work. Keep the background 5+ feet from the subject, and make it PLAIN if outside (trees or hedges as opposed to telephone poles or cars). Keep the aperture large to blue the background, BUT make sure yo have enough DOF to get everyone in focus. Focus on the EYES.
Have everyone dress in a similar color - no prints, plaids, etc. The pic will look better if everyone is in dark blue for example. White or black will be hte hardest to photograph. If shooting in a studio the backdrop has to be somwhat contrasting in color with the clothing and a black backdrop will blend in with dark hair unless you use a hair/rim light. this complicates the light set up some.
For studio lighting - fairly simple. the size of the group makes is more challenging...two lights 45 degrees right and left. one is set at full power the other 1/2. (ratio wise if not in absolute terms). this will light evenly and still give some direction. Softboxes are best, but umbrellas will work. Add a hair light low and to the rear , 45 degrees, pointed sorta back at the camera - set this at 1/2 the fill or 1/4 the min light. take a few shots and see what you get. 1/200 shutter and try F11-13 to start.
As for directing the crowd..while you concentrate on your technical details...well, you'll not do it for free again!
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03/17/2005 01:33:31 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
Originally posted by gwphoto:
Do it out doors. It will be easier if your experience is limitted. Keeping the attention of 15 people to keep all eyes forward can be a big challange. Make sure you use a tripod. You final photo will need to be a 16x20 at least to get a good head (face) size with that many people. Go to //www.cpq.net and download their ROES system and call them and ask them how to use it so you can submit your photo and have it done professionally. Take the cost of the printing, shipping etc, and multiply if by a factor of abour 4.5 to charge your customer. I have used CPQ for years and they produce a great print, a real photograph, not an inkhet. |
Interesting site - very film oriented and no pricing info.
Mutliply by 4.5?? I have seen the cost of a fuji or kodak 'real print' runs $2-$3.5 (8x10). So you are saying charge the client $9 to $16 for an 8x10? Interesting math solution. Simple and it works. |
Those are base prices, buy the time you have any custom work including lustre spray you will end up charging aobut $250 for a 16x20. Don't forget to include any shipping in the base price befor you factor. CPQ does do a lot of film but if you use the ROES system you will find that it is 100% digital. The nice thing is that you get a chemically processed photographic print back, not an inkjet. Your customers will be happier. |
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03/17/2005 01:54:45 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by gwphoto:
Those are base prices, buy the time you have any custom work including lustre spray you will end up charging aobut $250 for a 16x20. Don't forget to include any shipping in the base price befor you factor. CPQ does do a lot of film but if you use the ROES system you will find that it is 100% digital. The nice thing is that you get a chemically processed photographic print back, not an inkjet. Your customers will be happier. |
winkflash gives you a real print back too. 99 cent shipping. the kodak pro system looks neat, but not particualrly cheap.
I should print more...
you mark it all up 4.5? When i was in retail/wholesale little things (bolts for example) had lots of mark up compared to complete engines. So a 4x6 taht costs 20 cents could sell for $1.49 (7 times over) vs a $100 print that might be marked up 100% (2 times).
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