bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Happy New Year!!! (soon)

Anyone have any photography related new years resolutions?

Mine is relatively simple, I plan to take a lot more time to practice with my new camera body (D-500) and to work out the kinks with both TTL lighting, and with dialing in my location studio strobes, with either new triggers, new strobes, or trying out the Paul C. Buff vagabond system.

My last assignment was a large event, and my strobes were very inconsistent, which is the first time that's ever happened with "the big boys."

I can't have that happen when in the field. I ended up needing to chimp every photo to make sure the strobes both fired.

Thankfully, I got 5 really nice size orders from that event, so it was worth the extra hassle. I can't imagine it happening at a wedding.

Anyone else have business, equipment, or photography related goals for next year?

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

What trigger system on what type of strobes?

Personally, I want to increase my customer base for architecture, interior design related clients and product work.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Thanks Bob for reminding me I should set goals/New Years resolution. Since I retired from the day job I seem to have lost all motivation to do such things. Anyway, here is off the top of my head.

1. Don't buy any more equipment. This year was enough of that for a while.
2. Refine techniques on the D850 (new purchase). Since it is so good at high ISOs I am trying to get used to auto ISO. It is working well without flash. With flash, I am still trying to figure out how to mix in manual settings, TTL, and auto ISO. Would love to get some mastery of that.
3. For lighting I am good with my set of speed lights controlled by the Phottix Oden (another purchase). Just need more practice. I have two Bowens studio strobes and a vagabond if I need them. I am done buying the newest thing in lighting (famous last words).
4. Post processing, I would like to develop some sort of fine art type of product for portraits as something to differentiate me from the other shoot and burners.
5. Business wise, I am still floundering developing a specific type of photography to grow. The problem is I love doing all types from weddings to industrial pics for company websites. The other problem is that I like it that way. I like a variety of challenges. Not a good business strategy though.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I purchased a 'hold fast gear' harness so I can now wear 2 FF cameras. It is built like a tank, I love it and the leather is nice looking. Has anyone used this harness and if so how did you like it?

I got the harness for a very good price so I'm a happy camper ...

BTW, I now own 6 speed lights all radio controlled from my cameras. I use one FF camera for the multi speed light setup in the reception and my other FF with single on-camera speed light so I can easily run over and cover something that isn't in the proximity of the multi setup. This way I don't need to move things around .... I like it :)

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

The "hold fast harness" looks interesting. Like something out of the old west or something I have seen the Amish wear. Hope it works well for you. I had my first trial of my new double camera apparatus at a Christmas Eve wedding. My apparatus is my usual R strap for the most used camera & lens and the spider holster for the other. Overall, worked well but it does make me less mobile with all that equipment protruding from me. I knocked over a candle maneuvering behind the couple. Fortunately, it was not lit.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Wow, the Hold Fast Gear harness looks like a really nice, very "rich looking," and sturdy strap system. I still use my tripod quite a bit, so I'm not sure if I could live too well with the tripod socket being taken up with the holder. Are there other mounting options? Like maybe the strap lugs?

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

There are lugs that come with it .... you don't need to use the tripod plate.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Nice.......looks like it will last longer than most of us.

Where did you find the "awesome deal?"

bk

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Here on the UGG ..... brand new, never used, still with the tag on it. $160 including the shipping. It will outlast me .......

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Once you use it a few times, let us know what you think of it for actual shooting conditions.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Will do ...

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

After years of being self taught decided to go back to school this year taking an Associates Degree program in applied science of digital photography.
I also have purchased a matching set of strobes got away from mix matched set hopefully will learn somethings that I did not already know and see how that improves my craft.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Wow, I hear you. I have matching Paul C Buff studio lights, Matching Impact strobes for location shoots, but it's a pain, because they are A/C powered, and my speedlights, well........ I have a Nikon SB 600, and SB 800, Meike SB-900 ( got it when my Nikon SB 900 died after a horrible fall) Yongnuo 560,565, 685 (did have 2, but one went swimming off a bridge), and actually 3 other old speedlights that I can't even remember the brand now... in other words, not one is the same, and a pain in the rear when trying to quickly adjust in the field, trying to remember how to change settings on each one. That's why I tell myself every year, that I'm going to sell the Nikons, and get as much as I can for the Meike and the Yongnuo 560, and 565, get a few more 685's (absolutely love those, and that they have built in receivers) On the studio and portable lights, I want to sell them all and get one decent set of ones that I can use on location that will use battery OR AC.

Of course, I tell myself that every year, but.......... nope. I tend to hold onto my stuff until I drop it off ladders, into rivers, kick over light stands onto concrete, drop $1500 lenses from the edge of a stage onto a gym floor, or fumble it while standing in a parking lot trying to change the lens with the car door blocking the wind. Trust me, I'd probably be able to retire if I could just sell the equipment I've accidently destroyed over the last 33 years.

But......I had fun doing it all.

Thanks for the reply, and keep us posted on what you end up with, and how you like what you got. (in case I actually do follow through)

bk

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I own 3 Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT

and

3 Yongnuo Speedlite YN600EX-RT

Basically 6 similar speedlights that all work/program the same way ....

I use the 3 Canon speedlights for on-camera fill (I have 3 bodies) and 2 of the Yongnuo for off-camera (Main & kick) usually on stands. That leaves one extra flash for backup in case I have one that fails.

Yeah

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

I have 2 vagabond minis so can use any of my strobes on location also starting to use reflectors much more