E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I got back from last night's gig quite late and just plopped all the gear down in the studio. This morning I decided to put everything away neatly and reorganize my somewhat messy equipment closet and shelves. I came across some of my old film gear that I seldom use- sometimes, but rarely, I shoot film on the odd commercial job.

I opened a few cases and rediscovered my old wedding cameras; the 4x5 press camera, and the 2¼ medium format gear and began to think of all the weddings that I covered over the decades- over 50 years now and it sure gets a guy reminiscing, thinking and even cringing about some of the more stressful happenings- surely a mix of nostalgia and neuralgia! That 4x5 camera weighed in at 12 pounds and the power pack for the strobe at 9. No wonder my posture is kinda like Quasimodo!

I began to think about all the technological progress in cameras, lenses, films, and the transition into the digital age. I also though of the artistic and stylistic changes and all the changes and fluctuations in the market place- the clients.

Then I decided to make a quick “generational family portrait” of my past BASIC wedding kits, including the current camera. I wanted to depict my simple usually hand held rigs of the present-day and past eras. Of course, even back in the day we used various lenses and accessories and “plugged” into fancy lighting systems, however, in the hands of a savvy, experienced and resourceful wedding photographer, some pretty fine work could be created with a decent reliable camera, a sharp normal lens, an on-board strobe and a copious quantity of KNOW HOW! Sometimes magical images were created with that one flash unit, a quick release bracket, a long extension synch cord and a capable shooter.

So...I began to reflect on all theses “changes” and wondered what has really changed, radically or subtlety and what is still the same- perhaps as it was 25 or 50 years ago. Aside for styles and gear; is the job any easier, nowadays or is it more difficult? Have the consumer demands changed? How are changes social, financial and religious factors impacted on our industry? What about family values? Are any of us stuck in an era or a groove that is difficult to escape? Is it harder turn a profit for our hard work? Are we all “spinning our wheels ” or driving ahead? Have attitudes changed among the photographers, the other vendors, the clergy and church or ceremony officials, the brides and grooms- the families and the parents?

So...fellow gunners, please post you opinions, ideas, suggestions and arguments on some of my questions.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Love the "family" picture.
"Grandma" looks particularly beautiful in this one.

Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

I love the Linhof. Makes my lowly Speed Graphic look like the ugly red haired step child. (sorry Bob, no reference to your grand daughter)

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

My very first "wedding" camera was a really ugly Speed Grapgic- looked like it had been through a war but it was reliable and tack sharp. It had the old Graplex back, not the more contemporary Graphloc back- I used it with the old "leather bag" Graphic film magazines. The boss, unceremoniously ripped the focal plane shutter out of the camera- God forbid it inadvertently close during a shoot- we only used the full sync front shutter. The I bought a spanking new Crown Graphic with no rear shutter to worry about and it was lighter in weight.

Then I became enchanted with the Linhoff. Since I was doing commercial work during the week and wanted some swings and tilts, I purchased the Technika. Originally the camera came with a rare Schneider PRESS-Xenotar lens that was sharper than sharp, edge to edge, so I started lugging that monster to weddings and kept the Crown as my back up camera.They don't build cameras like that anymore.

Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

That is a fact. As close as I can determine, mine is from 1949. I fully understand the reasoning behind pulling the FP shutter. I'm actually quite fortunate in that the side mounted rangefinder is accurate across the board.

By the way, I really respect you and others that shot with these heav

Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

In looking over these older posts, I was reminded today in the course of my "day job" that I've been doing for 41 years now as to how things have changed. In my job as in photography, electronics/photography has drastically changed. The one constant that remains still is customer/client satisfaction. How we relate to our client and meeting their needs. That is indeed constant.

After 41 years, I still do a "debriefing;" or "how could I have done this job better?" analysis. Despite the constant change, things really do remain the same.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Tim! I can relate to your attitude and your debriefing procedure. It is especially difficult for me because I am self employed so I am not debriefing others- underlings etc., like employees- I have to debrief myself so my method is to be my own most demanding critic. I sincerely believe that learning, improving and keeping up with new technologies has to be a constant and in business, its a survival and longevity dynamic.

True enough, technologically, the photographic process has advanced at an exponential rate in electronics, computer driven tools and techniques, optics and automation. Sometimes, however, folks get so wrapped up and preoccupied with the science and technology that they begin to overlook the art of the craft and the quality of the service. It's very basic but oftentimes overlooked.

When I teach and train new photographers I always remind them that a camera has 3 basic functions- aperture, shutter speed and focus. When you fully understand the function and interrelationships of those three controls- you are good to go and concentrate on your art, creativity and development of your talent and potential.All the rest of the high-tech sophisticated features of your cameras are just for some added conveniences.

I hate to come off as pessimistic, cynical or reactionary but I am beginning to believe and observe that nowadays sincere, personalized and real dedication to customer satisfaction is deteriorating at an alarming rate. I like my gadgets and computers as much as the next guy or gal but some of this seems to be eroding the personalize human touch in the service and retail industries. Voice mail, texting, Email, online shopping, robotics, vending machines for everything (even cars), self service everything/everywhere, and lost of seemingly disinterested staff is stores and businesses is taking humanity, sincerely, and drive to please the client has taken the life, humanity and FUN out of business. I don't even want to talk about a lack of professionalism in so many places!

This might sound a bit paradoxical, but more an more the aforementioned coldness, apathy and "distance" of late persists, the more this enhances my own business. When I aproach each potential client with sincerity, interest, enthusiasm, and personalized attention and they detect that I am on their side and I am dedicated to satisfying their requirements and offering good value, they become my clients with no hard selling, little or no sales resistance or haggling. Of course, at the end of the day, I need to deliver exactly or better than I have promised but I have been managing to do that for many decades. Proof is, I haven't advertised or or promoted my wedding photography heavily for the last 17 years and my booking rate is better than ever- mostly recommendations and referral business. I do one big bridal show per year, I network with othere vendors and do the odd "institutional" kinda advertising.

I never took a course in salesmanship- I learned from being a consumer. I shop where folks are in love with what the sell and have copious quantities of product knowledge. I do business with folks who want my business. I prefer to go where I feel welcome and I work with by philosophy that folks won't pay their hard earned money to folks the don't like. Consumers are smart and they won't pay good money for bad product. It's very basic but oftentimes overlooked.