Do I need a digital camera for this project ?

[News24Houston]

Okay my attempt to get a copy of a recent portrait was not a fruitful one. I can’t find the photographer who shot it so I have to take a different path. I want to shoot a nice picture of myself and turn it over to a local printer. They’re going to make a great photo business card for me and print it processed not digital.

I’m looking for great quality. I have some TV studio lights with umbrellas and jells for depth on the background.

My question is this. What kind of camera do I need to pull this off. All I have is a Kodak disposable. Do I need a digital camera or can I get by with a standard point and shoot job.

Then, can I just get the film developed on to CD and hand that off to my printer. I don’t want to spend a lot of money on this. Where's the best place to develop film onto CD... quality wise. What's the best resolution to send it to my printer person by email

Many questions..little answers.

Thanks,

[JKH]

Hi News,
Since you already have a light setup, I’d suggest taking a set of pictures with the point and shoot film camera. I’d play with the lights, move them around to different spots and see if you get lucky. I think most photo labs offer CD burning of film images as an option, or if you not in a big rush send it to Kodak.

By the time the image is reduced down in size for the business card the quality of the images might be fine, if you’re happy with the lighting. If you don’t have a good reason or future need to shoot digital I wouldn’t run out a buy one for one shot.

If what you get sucks, find a pro-photographer to shoot it for you.

Good luck,
John

[News24Houston]

Thanks John,

One other question. Why don’t I go to a Wolf Camera or a Wal Mart photo place and let them take some professional pictures. Then maybe they can burn those pictures to a CD.
I think it’s going to be cheaper and less time consuming. Monday is my deadline to get a picture to the printers.

What do you think ?

[ndsimm]

that would work as long as you have a good scanner to scan the images to

[News24Houston]

So for the best quality..do i just get negatives and send them to the printer?

[Xposure Photo]

Well...camera used will be the last of your worries, it is in most cases the lighting and an operator with a good eye that will make the photo...digital or film either one will be good...if digital the file size will be between 200-300pdi at the size they need it, and beign that it is for a biz card just about any digital will do as long the photo is taken the right way.

If you want someone else to take it let me know your budget and I can arrange a small shoot even if it has to be Sunday night or Monday Morning, yo tell me your availability and we could work it out if interested.

Sincerely,

Juancho
http://www.xposurephoto.com
832.969.0804

[michaelbates]

News... a point and shoot should be fine for the small size you are looking at on business cards...as mentioned, the key is going to be "lighting", "background", "depth of field" and "sharpness" - I wouldn't run out and buy a digital...unless you are wanting one anyway - if so, then this might be the "nudge" to go for it!

You really don't need a pro photographer - and I would not spend the $$$ at Walmart/JC Penney, etc. - but that's just me...I do portraits and such, but do not use a studio - mother nature provides the lighting - although it depends on her mood as to whether it's good or not..LOL

Michael

[michaelbates]

Originally Posted by AustinModelsAndTalent

Send me an email if you still need someone to shoot this for you. I'm sure one of the AM&T/TM&T photographers would be happy to shoot you the image you want TFP, no fee.

I could do it...but since I don't do studio shots...it would depend on available natural light - no charge of course (the TFP works for me)...I shoot digital, so the image could be prepped and emailed in final format - ready for the printer (if I know the size she needs)... oh, I do need to do laundry sometime tomorrow..LOL

Michael

[News24Houston]

Thanks for the offers to shoot it for me folks. I don’t think I can take you up on that since I’m in Atlanta, GA. I went up to a TV studio today and had a friend of mine shoot it. He doesn’t really have a good eye for shooting this kind of stuff. The pictures are wide, straight on and not very good to say the least. I need to get them to the printer by Monday. I guess I’ll just have a business card without a picture.

I’m just floored that I can’t find the photographer who shot the original portrait at News 24 Houston in the fall/winter of 2003. Now that was one hell of a nice photo. Everybody who’s seen it can’t believe how good it looks. I’ve included it here with a link to my website. Remember this was scanned from the Internet at a very low rate..about 129 pixels. But you get the idea.
If you know a man who shoots portraits like this please email me at kmancan@yahoo.com or call (713) 818-6122. He’s a short Hispanic male….that’s all anybody remembers about him.

Thanks,

N24 Houston

http://www.medialinetalent.com/kkinsey

[Collins]

This is just my personal opinion, but I think you are better served by leaving a picture off of a business card.

The only people I see who consitently put pictures on business cards are real estate agents and I'm still not sure how that became accepted standard...:?:

In any case, when I think of business cards with pictures on them, I think of people printing their resumés with orange or blue paper to have them stand out.

[News24Houston]

Good point..although studies have shown that people are less likely to throw away a business card with a picture than those chepo 35 dollar a box business cards. And for some reason in a stack of cards..people put the ones with pictures on or near the top.

Also, people put a name to a face better with the help of a picture. I've never been crazy about them... but I'm starting to think more out of the box.

At any rate ...I didn't find the picture so I'm going with the standard no picture model.

[News24Houston]

Jeff,

These are great looking cards..awesome colors..they jump off the page. I'm a TV anchor/reporter. Most people in our business are a little more traditional.

But since I've been out of work for a year and a half..I'm considering other ways to get news mangaers to remember me.
This could be an option. Here's my webpage

http://medialinetalent.com/kkinsey

[Collins]

Originally Posted by News24Houston

Good point..although studies have shown that people are less likely to throw away a business card with a picture than those chepo 35 dollar a box business cards. And for some reason in a stack of cards..people put the ones with pictures on or near the top.

:lol: Now I didn't say go über cheap, but I think these days people are turning business cards into flyers. Its main purpose is to list your contact information. I'd say in an encounter that selling the person on you is a bit more effective.

You can still create a professional, eye-catching card without putting images that probably won't be done justice by the small 2" x 3½" card size.

But this could vary according to your profession and the accepted standards in it (real estate agents example mentioned above). Also, I'm no model, but I'd imagine that these mini-comps are appropriate because you are in an industry where remembering your face does matter.

Ah well, just my 2¢