This coming week see's me taking ownership of my new camera, the totally awesome flagship of Canons professional range of DSLRs the Canon EOS 1DX!
I am like a child at Christmas, waiting for the courier to arrive with my present!
My current camera, the more than adequate Canon EOS 5D MkII will become my backup camera/second lens camera.
I am so pleased and grateful that the Universe granted my need of a second camera with such a quality machine!
Sunday 9 September 2012
Monday 13 August 2012
Online Purchases
The majority of my equipment was bought online over the last 3 years.
Sometimes EBay, second hand (great bargains, but you are never quite sure what you'll get).
For New Equipment?
I have used and recommend....
Warehouse Express for Accesories etc.
Alexander Trent for Lenses and Cameras (fast reliable service and much cheaper than on Amazon or through Jessops etc. With full VAT receipt and UK packaging)
My personal experiences would warn you to avoid the following:
Panamoz.com (you'll have to pay import etc and they can be slow)
SimplyElectronics.com (I waited 4 weeks for a lens that was "in stock" and when I cancelled it, it took a week of emailing to cancel it. Also, some 5 weeks later, I am still waiting for my refund!)
If anyone else has any horror stories let me know and I'll add them to the hall of shame.
Sometimes EBay, second hand (great bargains, but you are never quite sure what you'll get).
For New Equipment?
I have used and recommend....
Warehouse Express for Accesories etc.
Alexander Trent for Lenses and Cameras (fast reliable service and much cheaper than on Amazon or through Jessops etc. With full VAT receipt and UK packaging)
My personal experiences would warn you to avoid the following:
Panamoz.com (you'll have to pay import etc and they can be slow)
SimplyElectronics.com (I waited 4 weeks for a lens that was "in stock" and when I cancelled it, it took a week of emailing to cancel it. Also, some 5 weeks later, I am still waiting for my refund!)
If anyone else has any horror stories let me know and I'll add them to the hall of shame.
Sunday 22 January 2012
Diploma
Diploma in Professional Photography completed at last and passed, 96% overall. Next up is my resettlement course in Advanced Wedding and Portrait Photography which can result with a Licentiatship with the Royal Photographic Society if I pass.
Wednesday 11 January 2012
Photography Course
10/10 for Module 10 of my Professional Photography Diploma Course.
Only 2 more modules to do now and I am already guaranteed a minimum 80% overall (even if I score 0 on my last 2 modules!)
I am so happy, module 11 should be ready by next week so should easily complete the course within the 1 year target (began March 2011).
Next is a 10 day Portrait and Wedding Photography course down in Bournemouth to get my Licentiateship with the Royal Photographic Society and gain valuable hands on experience and training.
Only 2 more modules to do now and I am already guaranteed a minimum 80% overall (even if I score 0 on my last 2 modules!)
I am so happy, module 11 should be ready by next week so should easily complete the course within the 1 year target (began March 2011).
Next is a 10 day Portrait and Wedding Photography course down in Bournemouth to get my Licentiateship with the Royal Photographic Society and gain valuable hands on experience and training.
Saturday 31 December 2011
Monday 17 October 2011
Girl Party
Not as great as it first sounds! This was a photo shoot party of two sisters aged 16 and 12 with one friend each.
Aided by my long suffering family I loaded the car with all my camera gear, by all my gear, I mean ALL and by I, I mean THEY.
I had my Canon 5D MkII and assorted lenses along with half a dozen light stands, a C Stand with boom, umberellas, softboxes and reflectors galore, 6 Canon Flash Units with 3 sets of batteries for each, fully charged (overkill? I thought so, but not as it turned out). I had my grip bag, lens bag and camera tripod, my backdrop stand with several backdrops and some collapsible backgrounds. I was pleasantly surprised how little room it all took up once packed away in the car.
We arrived at the home of the home of the models for a day at around 11am and spent nearly an hour setting up, it's not easy to do whilst on crutches and with willing but untrained assistants trying to put up Hotrod Strip Light Softboxes without instructions.
Once set-up I started with a Family Portrait and then began on formal portrait for each of the girls, partly to get some guaranteed headshots but mainly as a way of relaxing them about the shoot and being in front of the camera, I needn't have worried.
Next ensued a whirwind of different styles of shot with white backdrop and train or using the westcott 28in softbox as a background, with reflected light, using the ringflash for that fashion mag look. Wardrobe changes a plenty, it was hard to keep up with the very enthusiastic and energetic girls. It was fun!
We ended up with the green screen set-up and various jumping and prancing around ensued.
I had had quite a structured and formal plan for the day in my head but as things went I found it was easier to just roll with the punches and remain flexible.
A photographers job is, of course, not over when the gear is packed away and what followed was over a week of image processing, it would be quicker if my back allowed me to spend longer periods at the computer but with a comfy bed and a combination of desktop and laptop, I progressed at a steady pace. I think in future I will only process images that are ordered or at least do only a initial process of all images and then a thorough process on ordered ones.
I think I will add this sort of shoot to my regular services but will need to work out a max number of people and guaranteed shots/person that can be offered and maintain quality and viability. Most people see the time that the photographer is there as the service that is paid for, they forget that in the case of this shoot over 70 working hours were invested.
Lessons learned:
Less is more. (take less pictures)
Less is more. (just because you have equipment...)
Know when to stop (I love taking photos and once I begin it's hard to stop)
Aided by my long suffering family I loaded the car with all my camera gear, by all my gear, I mean ALL and by I, I mean THEY.
I had my Canon 5D MkII and assorted lenses along with half a dozen light stands, a C Stand with boom, umberellas, softboxes and reflectors galore, 6 Canon Flash Units with 3 sets of batteries for each, fully charged (overkill? I thought so, but not as it turned out). I had my grip bag, lens bag and camera tripod, my backdrop stand with several backdrops and some collapsible backgrounds. I was pleasantly surprised how little room it all took up once packed away in the car.
We arrived at the home of the home of the models for a day at around 11am and spent nearly an hour setting up, it's not easy to do whilst on crutches and with willing but untrained assistants trying to put up Hotrod Strip Light Softboxes without instructions.
Once set-up I started with a Family Portrait and then began on formal portrait for each of the girls, partly to get some guaranteed headshots but mainly as a way of relaxing them about the shoot and being in front of the camera, I needn't have worried.
Next ensued a whirwind of different styles of shot with white backdrop and train or using the westcott 28in softbox as a background, with reflected light, using the ringflash for that fashion mag look. Wardrobe changes a plenty, it was hard to keep up with the very enthusiastic and energetic girls. It was fun!
We ended up with the green screen set-up and various jumping and prancing around ensued.
I had had quite a structured and formal plan for the day in my head but as things went I found it was easier to just roll with the punches and remain flexible.
A photographers job is, of course, not over when the gear is packed away and what followed was over a week of image processing, it would be quicker if my back allowed me to spend longer periods at the computer but with a comfy bed and a combination of desktop and laptop, I progressed at a steady pace. I think in future I will only process images that are ordered or at least do only a initial process of all images and then a thorough process on ordered ones.
I think I will add this sort of shoot to my regular services but will need to work out a max number of people and guaranteed shots/person that can be offered and maintain quality and viability. Most people see the time that the photographer is there as the service that is paid for, they forget that in the case of this shoot over 70 working hours were invested.
Lessons learned:
Less is more. (take less pictures)
Less is more. (just because you have equipment...)
Know when to stop (I love taking photos and once I begin it's hard to stop)
Saturday 1 October 2011
BBQ in October
Who'd have thought that we would be having BBQ's in October eh? sun cream on and unpack the ND filters again. Off to our neighbours today, time to do some happy snapping.
It is amazing how many happy snapping sessions can produce a hero shot, so keep your eyes open and camera at the ready, I will be doing!
Have a great Day!
It is amazing how many happy snapping sessions can produce a hero shot, so keep your eyes open and camera at the ready, I will be doing!
Have a great Day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)