Starting Construction Process! - DPChallenge Forums

10/26/2008 11:56:24 AM · #76

I feel like Kevin Costner's character in Field of Dreams. "If I build it... They will come!!!"

10/26/2008 10:57:21 PM · #77

Originally posted by chesire:

Ok here is my lighting plan. Hopefully I didn't miss anything. I would apprecaite your comments! (Note we do have natural light coming from the North (right side of the diagram) during the day as well. Planning on putting up black backgrounds to cut down on it when we need to.

I don't think you'll need the 1600's. I use a pair of 300ws units (same output as the AB800s) and I can blow out the BG and then some with ease. I have the main light as a 300ws unit it a 3x4 foot softbox with 2 diffusion panels and it can easily blow out anything as well (at ISO 100 F9 type settings). The faster recycle of the lower power units is also very very nice especially with kids or pets.
I have one 800 ws unit (like the ab1600s) and it takes longer to recycle (even at the same out put setting). I got it mainly for weddings or when I need a lot of power outside, and also because it has a more powerful modeling light for what I want to play with that aspect of things. I won't be buying any more that powerful.

I did buy a scene machine today - the one I looked at last spring. The guy as dropped the price but is keeping the stand the camera goes on (i think a bogen stand can be easily used for this) - $500. Screen (a tad beat up so I'll probably get a new one if I use it a lot) and about 300 slides! A bargain considering I bought two muslins today for $410. $410 for 2, $500 for 300.... My current thoughts on it is to make up a catalog of the slides and then offer seniors their choice as an add on to a session for $20 or something like that. Make it a special extra something instead of killing them with 300 more options!

Want to blow folks away? Get some frames from //www.excelpictureframes.com/Picture_Frames/, put a mounted/coated print in there (no glass) and get rich. I mean, WOW, these frames really pop. They've got frames for canvas wraps too - a nice add one and they're not expensive.

10/27/2008 10:01:39 AM · #78

The main reason I added the 1600s is we've got a glare off the front windows, that the smaller ones just do NOT blow out. We're thinking we're going to have to put curtains in the front windows just to stop the glare. Plan at the moment for those is a very long traverse rod, and 4 black 10x13 backgrounds so we can cover the 10'x20' windows when we went to. Putting in two layers of BG material also gives us privacy even when shooting inside at night. (Gotta do Nudes after all!!! And I don't think they're gonna want to pose with the open windows!)

On your screen. We have a portable screen system that's sitting in storage. If you decide to buy another one this one has barely been used.

Which Scene machine did you get? We have the oldest the 300 not the digital. I like shooting with it though, you can get some neat affects... and some of the slides you can buy are.. well amazing. They have classes/seminars every month, with hands on with how to really use their system, and many times guest speakers that can show you how to mix in props (specially plants and carpets and such) to make things really look good! Let me know I'll get you a contact name :) Trevon Baker and Louise and Joseph Simone are two of their very successful supporters. (I know they're trying to get the Simone's in for march, but seating goes fast)

Message edited by author 2008-10-27 10:02:15.

10/27/2008 08:14:23 PM · #79

It's the older system for sure.
I'll pick it up in about a month - I have to pay off a $1900 bill for a transmission for the wifes car first :(

White sheers will work to cut the glare and not make you look like a halloween fun house LOL. Perhaps vertical blinds - the can be turned or opened or even pulled to the side and look very pro. If you can put then in far enough you can put an easel or LCD in the windows and close them when you're closed and still be showing product but not 'advertising' you have stuff to steal.

I too am having to learn to deal with windows - the guy i'm getting the scene machine from tells me i'll have to shut the light off completely from them to use it well. I'm thinking of blinds (roll up type) as well as mini blinds (for looks, to perhaps get that shadow from blinds (even if I have to put a strobe outside), and sheers also (to shoot against as much as anything else.). Currently I have some sheer material and put a muslin over them - not the 'professional' atmosphere I want in the end, but hey it works for now.

I got a thermostat today so hopefully I'll have some kind of heat for tomrrow's senior - it's supposed to snow flurry tonite! Brrrr.

10/27/2008 09:55:51 PM · #80

light against the scene machine background is different, but you dont' have to shoot in the dark to get good results.

You just have to make sure no light is hitting it directly from the angle of the camera. The class was VERY helpful. I'll have to look and see what videos and documentation we have. I know we have one on installing the screen.

I'm going up there to pick up our systems tomorrow (took em in for maintenance). As well as the 2009 Senior slides and some other stuffs. Our original strobes came from them, but they're more expensive than the AB's and not as flexible (Full, 1/2, 1/4 only). If you havne't looked at the available slides you should see what's available. I think we're getting Timeless Walls VI Link for next quarter. I want to do a setting with Hay bales against a barn wall for Rodeo in February.

10/27/2008 11:10:45 PM · #81

it comes with a video (not dvd...i think my MIL has a vcr still...) and he has 2 or 3 HUNDRED slides.

Unfortunately i'm in pennsylvania - texas is a way off place from here. Trevon Baker has been here before for a PPA event or school a few years back but i didn't have any interraction with him.

it's best not to mix strobe brands as each can have it's own color. i guess it might depend on how picky you are, but some photogs are very picky about it - I personally don't think there's much difference but the guy at the PPA seminar today was VERY adamant about it.

Ron Nichols gave a 2 hour seminar, about 1/2 of it on proSelect software. it's a sales software that i've used for a couple of years and it's great - but he KNOWS the software and really showed what can be done with it (seminar was mostly on productivity, reducing the time it takes to get our work done). He showed what the 'hi res' production module will do...I kind of like it and see where it would save time, but adds a twist to what i was doing, and am now doing with LR - it's a whole nuther way of working (workflow wise) that i've not seen or thought of before.

10/28/2008 07:28:34 AM · #82

I have a couple hundred slides too. Though many of them just plain suck. I'm thinking about asking the local school district if I can go take pictures of the high schools around me, and use them for Seniors next year.

I don't want to think about Software yet this morning. I have to learn CS4, and Lightroom, and Proselect, and Successware ASAP as it is.

This endeavor is terrifying. We have spent sooooo much money to do it "right" down to making sure the bathroom has a touochless soap dispenser. Here we're gampling a couple hundred grand on this business making it long term. With all the blame being JUST ME and my mate. There are moments when I'm so overwhelmed as to be frozen. But come this weekend, we open the doors, and pray, (And talk to Marathon a LOT)

10/28/2008 12:27:31 PM · #83

Originally posted by chesire:

I'm too chicken to go spend a couple of hundred grand..or more than a few grand at a time. for nice marketing stuff (folders, price books, mailers, etc) I could drop $5000 - it might enable me to charge more or be busier but as it is i'm drowning in work LOL.

I have to learn CS4, and Lightroom, and Proselect...me too. Successware is probably on the horizon. I had an assistant that did the sales thing so he knew proselect pretty well, but he's not around much and now it's version 4 - not much changed but enough he had issues his one day back. I've read about 1 chaper in my LR book...CS4 goes on my new machine with vista - that's my first interaction wtih Vista and so far just getting the necessary directories to show up on the network so the XP machines can see them has been, well, fun isn't quite the right word now is it?
I spent the last two days at a PPA meet - lots of ideas and inspiration but that and a saturday wedding has me SOOO far behind I just want to crawl under the covers and hide.

10/28/2008 02:22:53 PM · #84

I now have HEAT in the studio. OK, no ductwork so it's not very efficient, but the used furnace is working!

10/28/2008 05:19:24 PM · #85

I wanna drown in work!!!

We DID get our first consultation today!!!! Woohoo

Family portrait, they scheduled for the 15th. Asking for our special (1/2 hour session and 1 8x10... $99). But she thinks she may want to come back and get a wall mount after that. Her viewing will be around trhe 19th, and we'll project it so hopefully she'll buy bunches then.

It's a start!

Simms

10/28/2008 05:28:10 PM · #86

Originally posted by chesire:

Congratulations!! Like you said its a start, I am sure once word gets around and people know you are there you will get a lot busier..

10/28/2008 07:46:36 PM · #87

I'm drowning in work, not drowning in money. In efficiency is what I think my problem is. I think I should be able to do more work than I'm getting done in the time alotted.

Fortunately I am not alone in this situation. Well, maybe that's not fortunate LOL.

Shot a senior today in the studio except for a few shots outside with her Harley (well, Dad's harley). Did her, her 2 dogs, brother, dad (him and her in their leathers), her and her computer, and of course many of just her. Fun and a bit different. At least it appears they can afford toys, so hopefully photos are in that category! With that many different shots they'll HAVE to buy more than just a normal package with 5 or 7 poses in it!

One more session on saturday and the building can be put into full renovate mode. It's just so inefficient to do constuction for 2 days and then clean it all up and set it up for shooting and then pack all that away for more construction...i feel like i'm on a merry go round!

Katmystiry

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

10/28/2008 07:59:47 PM · #88

It's so nice to see this new business getting off the ground in such tough economic times and

Prof_Fate I just want to thank you for the laugh this statement gave me.

"Did her, her 2 dogs, brother, dad (him and her in their leathers), her and her computer... "

10/28/2008 08:44:19 PM · #89

Originally posted by Katmystiry:

"Did her, her 2 dogs, brother, dad (him and her in their leathers), her and her computer... "

Us country folk here, we do anything.
A few weeks back the B&G wanted formals with their tractor.
I booked a wedding for next june - the bride wants a wedding potrait with her shotgun. (the reception is at a gun club too).

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

10/30/2008 08:55:54 AM · #90

Well Chris I was about to get upset with you when you said you had to learn Proselect!!!! BUT then I finished up the main tutorials on it last night. And it exports directly to Successware!!! Now how good is that?

My rep from excel finally called too (He was at a tradeshow). They are supposed to have templates for ProSelect already, just need to find them.

Today's goals for Saturaday's open house... Alien Bee order is due in, so finish up the lighting. Finish putting the screen together for the Scene Machine. Drop off signs to be made for Open house and in session/on location signs.

Then still have to finish the website (specials, prices pages), find a USB to video cable so I can attach the TouchSmart to the projector. Enter our prices in ProSelect. Enter our prices in Successware (though the key probably wont' be here til Monday)

My mate is hanging the rest of the pictures we have, and setting up the last print/file server. Details details.

NstiG8tr

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

10/30/2008 09:20:12 AM · #91

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

they'll HAVE to buy more than just a normal package with 5 or 7 poses in it!

I did a senior shoot a couple weeks back, out of the 33 shots I proofed for them they ordered 13 poses for wallets, 7-8x10's and 2-5x7's.

10/30/2008 01:52:30 PM · #92

Originally posted by NstiG8tr:

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
they'll HAVE to buy more than just a normal package with 5 or 7 poses in it!

I did a senior shoot a couple weeks back, out of the 33 shots I proofed for them they ordered 13 poses for wallets, 7-8x10's and 2-5x7's.

You must control the poses - that's what they want. They'll buy one print of every pose if you let them. My packages are centered around 3, 4, or 7 poses. If you want more poses you buy a second framed item or pay alacart prices for the print with the extra pose. It makes more sense for them to get the extra item, like a 3 pose 4x7 framed item for $59 - they get three more poses, can put any of those 3 plus the other 3/5/7 poses in it, and it comes framed and ready for a desk. Or they can buy one pose and one one print for $39.

Even walmart knows this. Their $9.99 or whatever package is ONE pose. Want a second pose? Then you're at a $59.99 package. man, that second pose is pricey, huh? While prices may vary the concept should be the same.

10/30/2008 08:29:56 PM · #93

One day closer.

Open House starting Saturday!!!

Today we got the alarm installed and most of the rest of the display photo's up. My AB order got here too... so new lights to play with. I was sooooooo thrilled with the AB lights. They're so much nicer to work with than the one's I had before. Only piece I'm not sure of is the Brolly Box. I think I'm either completely not understanding how to use it, or need to get a soft box instead. But that's for another day to figure out.

Our specials are quick and easy. 30 minute session of about 20 pictures, then they get to choose 1 8x10 for $99. Of course they can add on as many as they want later at a la carte print pricing. Then regular sessions are prices seperately. We'll just have to see how it goes.

oi... so much to do, so little alcohol to make it easy~

10/31/2008 10:06:37 PM · #94

Well last night before go live.

Open House starts noon tomorrow.

We spent a lot of time with Marathon over the last couple of days, working on a mailer, and letterhead, stickers, boxes and such. At least we'll go down looking great!!!

Window washer comes in at 8:00 in the morning, and now I'm putting blinds on the front window. They're room darkening, verticle pull. So they go sideways in tracks. rEally cool looking.

I'm having some major issues trying to light the cyc. Even with the AB1600s, it's just not blown out! Tomorrow I'm going to try to get the middle kid in there and see what I can do.

Wish me luck! We dive in the AM.

11/01/2008 12:31:18 AM · #95

The seminar I was at had a speaker/photog and he lights his hi key BG by bouncing the strobes off the ceiling (uses wall mount brackets but that's not important to this discussion). He finds the light more even, no hot spots like when you aim the light directly at the BG. He also goes for 1:1 lighting between the BG and key light (same exposure) instead of the more typical 1 to 1.5 stop over exposure of the BG.
I don't have a ceiling (yet) to give this a try.

I do have ducts now for the furnace!

Good luck with your open house!

jan_vdw

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

11/01/2008 01:46:29 AM · #96

Good luck! Let us know how awesome it was!

MacDonald

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

11/01/2008 09:19:29 AM · #97

Hello Chesire, I have been following this thread and am really impressed with all your hard work. I know today is your grand opening and just wanted to pop in and tell you I am wishing you many customers and tons of success! You go girl!

Message edited by author 2008-11-01 13:17:12.

Beetle

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/01/2008 12:32:40 PM · #98

Sending you lots of good vibes and crossing fingers for a hugely successful day!

11/01/2008 04:28:39 PM · #99

Studio Pictures

In that folder are the pictures of the studio today as we opened. Along with a the "quick sheet" of our specials between now and the en dof the year.

Till tons of props to buy, and sets to build, but we're at least ready to do it.