Lens questions for our 2nd bridal shoot

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

These guys will be selling all their fancy expensive equipment soon anyways, as soon as they find out there is more to it than collecting the money.

I wouldn't call a D80 and a couple of kit lenses "fancy".

[pas]

Well, for now, we are only doing weddings for a couple friends. I have a college professor that teaches the photography and photohsop at our local college, with wedding experience, who has plenty of equiptment and is going to assist us on our first two weddings. We are beginning twice a week private instruction and are going to be training with the best photographers in the world in a couple of months, I believe in accelerated learning and we are passionate about photography. All the business' we own rely on return customers and we deal with the public everyday, I've learned in order to be good at something it takes a lifetime of training and photography is no exception and I don't take it lightly, just rest assure we are ready to take on anything within our means. You'd think a man of your position and status here at the forums would be more encouraging and helpful of people new in the art. If an intelligent, helpful reply followed by a smart comment to put me down and raise yourself up, is the best your character can provide then don't bother replying to my posts.

[SecretAgent]

all he's saying is, you should be extremely familiar with both your equipment and techniques before you start charging people for your services. and he's 100% correct.

[pas]

I believe charging people is absolutely necessary, at any level, even a small amount, always charge what you believe is fair. It teaches beginners to understand bookeeping and cashflow through the business, skills he will need to reach any goal. Not to mention that when no money is involved nobody takes eachother serious and usually has a negative outcome, you can always return it. Money motivates a beginner to do a better job and not cut corners. Just my opinion.

[dtscds]

It sounds as though you have not done an actual wedding yet. It might behoove you to do one and then come back and re-read Don's comments. Most area's of photography there is a bit of "wiggle room"--if everything doesn't work out just right you can re-set the situation and do it again. If you blow it at a wedding there is no do-over.

From posts I have read from Don he speaks from experience. For someone starting out in ANY business, one of the best courses of action is to learn from those who have been there before and have the scars to prove it.

I have done second-shooting at a few weddings and know how little room for error there is. Don's comment stands. BEFORE you even second shoot a wedding you MUST know your equipment! There is no time to be trying to remember how to set some control as the action is unfolding. The scene just keeps playing out without regard for your ability to catch it--or not.

Blow Don off at your own peril. If you are going to put yourself on the line as the primary on these weddings, no matter what level of money, be sure you are insured. (That is the main reason I am not trying to do weddings on my own yet!) Blow it at a wedding and see if the bride--or her mother--don't come after you.

Everyone has to start somewhere. But, you are choosing to start out at a high level. You are skipping the balance beam and going right to the high-wire. Just be very sure you have your ducks in a row! Don, and others on here, are a great source of instruction. Kinda like E.F. Hutton. It's up to you to listen... Or not

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by pas

Well, for now, we are only doing weddings for a couple friends.............You'd think a man of your position and status here at the forums would be more encouraging and helpful of people new in the art. If an intelligent, helpful reply followed by a smart comment to put me down and raise yourself up, is the best your character can provide then don't bother replying to my posts.

My Apologies, I didn't intend to offend you, and while that information does shed new light on your intentions, the fact remains that you seem to know little about how your camera works. For someone so passionate about his art, I would think that you would have almost memorized your owner's manual. In the future I will keep my information and observations to myself.

[Tom]

Don, great posts on here.

This thread reminds me of someone that asked my advice on equipment, works at Ritz and decided to get a used 1Dmark2 because he wanted to be a "Professional Photographer."

[CaptainTom]

I have a lot of experience in both photography and photography web sites and discussion groups.

The one thing that I can absolutely state is that this forum is the BEST of any of the photography forums for giving beginners sound advice. If you don't take the advice you get here that is your business. If you don't agree with the advice here that is your business. If you berate the advice you get here, don't ask for more advice.

[ngoduyviet]

Amen,

On top of that, Don is one of the most helpful professionals here if you do a search for his posts and Tom, well, I don't know how to categorize Tom on this forum, except he makes my days with his posts sometime

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I have a lot of experience in both photography and photography web sites and discussion groups.

The one thing that I can absolutely state is that this forum is the BEST of any of the photography forums for giving beginners sound advice. If you don't take the advice you get here that is your business. If you don't agree with the advice here that is your business. If you berate the advice you get here, don't ask for more advice.

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by ngoduyviet

.........well, I don't know how to categorize Tom on this forum........

Absolutely and unequivocally.

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

Absolutely and unequivocally.

Tom is a true Renaissance Man. He is a student, a teacher, a friend and an enemy. He is sadly funny. He is the biggest photographer in the area. He's a joker, a drinker, likes women, and loves to joke around. He is an expert at sarcasm. He's a mediocre musician, a good piano technician, and a really lucky guy to have friends on this forum.

He can blow his own horn, because he is in the Musicians Union !!!

[kenmyers70]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Tom is a true Renaissance Man. He is a student, a teacher, a friend and an enemy. He is sadly funny. He is the biggest photographer in the area. He's a joker, a drinker, likes women, and loves to joke around. He is an expert at sarcasm. He's a mediocre musician, a good piano technician, and a really lucky guy to have friends on this forum.

He can blow his own horn, because he is in the Musicians Union !!!

I think you forgot a couple of other side and past careers. You remind me of the "Most Interesting Man in the world" beer ads.

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by kenmyers70

I think you forgot a couple of other side and past careers. You remind me of the "Most Interesting Man in the world" beer ads.

Hijacking this thread is against the law. I turn myself in.

[trahanw]

Weddings are like professional sports, without the proper coach and experience you will always be a waterboy. When you're asking about increasing ISO and covering wedding photography-this truley displays your level of experience. Sit back on the sidelines for a while and watch and practive how the game is played. Suggest working an environment that you can recreate the scene while learning. Weddings are considered superbowl events that are once in a lifetime events, without the ability to recreate or replay if there is a mistake. What you're hearing through this forum is called tough love, sit back and take it in and learn. Mr Don is by far one of the most compassionate professionals in the game. I've had the privilage of shadowing a wedding with him that gave me a whole new prospective of what it takes to be a professional.

" Professionals are proven experts in thier field---Tiger Woods isn't where he is today without Practice and Instruction"

Have fun- take this all in and learn from it. There is no doubt one day that you too will be helping an upcoming photographer from making the same mistakes.

[MicWayWal]

Who would you want splash land your plane in the Hudson river? The 'passionate' pilot with 12 hours flying experience and lots of suggestions from others or would want one with 10,000 hours of flight time, and 3,000 takeoffs and landings to his credit.

Granted most photography is not life and death. But you will think it is after they tell the judge and lawyers how you ruined their lives. It is also the very best way to lose some friends.

Heed their advise. It is said it takes about 10,000 hours of doing something that you love, before you are considered a expert.

You can't shortcut learning; Experience is the true teacher.