dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Yes, and I expect you run Xp,,, well me too. I purchased a 4 button selector for HDs so that I have a backup and can run a w-7 also for particular programs. The switch cost $30 as I recall and is simple to install. Fits in one bay.

I have a full set of Topaz processing addons for doing magic with photos. Not that I am suggesting using them on wedding photos. Time is a commodity and the improvement is unappreciated or is considered as "odd" looking to the snapshot-highfive-flipflop citizens of the world. Music is not music unless with distortion, wawa, and screaming voice; what is Mozart! In photography for modern weddings, simplicity prevails.

The last wedding I did I was criticized for not staying with them until AM for the intimate moments when every one had gone!! Wow, what did i miss, porno?? As the song goes, it is a strange world we live in Master Jack!! At another wedding, I left at midnight, the celebration lasted till breakfast, they had friends who took photos till dawn and so those were incorporated in the final show.

I forgot to mention transitions between sections. I have props I use to put text on or I pickup a shot like flowers floating in the swimming pool, they held the reception at home in the pool enclosure area.

The virtue of the Ashampoo show is that the edge filling the screen is not black like most, it is a color picked up from the photo; beautiful effect.

debbiesweds

A great book, I found is Understanding Flash Photography
and also Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. Both will be very helpful to anyone having difficulty with lighting (of course we still ALL (or should say MOST of us - have lighting problems - that is the reason ever photo is not perfect - uaally, it seems!)

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

HDD SATA SELECTER FOR BACKUP: AC Hammar and all: the HDD sata switch I refered to is $25 on ebay. The part number is 330592150517 can be found by opening ebay and search by that number. Always good to have a backup that does not run at the same time as the presently utilized hdd. If failure occures, shut down, press the selecter button, reboot and you end up with a fresh copy. Next backup the drive that failed with a fresh copy. Or use as a slave and copy any curent non backed up work. The unit is easy to install, a floppy drive to cd bay adapter is needed. I have 4 drives and the unit works like a charm. Good luck and smart computing to all. d/p Don

Priest Loc: Indiana

Sorry, but I agree with you on some of your sugestions, but the minister of the wedding has the final say, and the rules are in place to prevent a sacred act from becoming a circus. Any minister will stay and let you re-enact any shots you would like--with the flash. I have been on both sides. As a photorapher[over 1000 weddings] as an Episcopal priest-the church is my domain to keep sacred. Most couples will buy but a few of the ceremony-example:the rings, the unity candle,the kiss-all taken with the use of a tripod from the back-easy done by coaching the couple how to stand at these times to give you a clear shot or as I mentioned -re-posed. Violation of my rules would get you barred-thank God it never came to that, because as a photographer I went to the minister and as a minister I went to the photographer to workout all details.
Peace. Priest

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

To Quote... prevent "a sacred act from becoming a circus."

If I could share my photo essay on the Terry Sheibo nonsense, 2005 " The Circus of Death" You would see that sacred acts are indeed a circus act for the media and the represenitives of church. Both are at times unwelcomed businesses. I am sure you woud not have gone out of respect for the woman.

And, to your suprise, I agree with what you have said,,,and your right to say it. I rely on the (usually) bride to find out the restrictions and will abide by what she says and relays to me. Many of the churches I deal with are non formal small churches which are very common. Where available light works, I use it.
Signed non-superstitious Photographer

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

You catch more bees with honey than vinegar. I agree with priest, the church is not the photographers turf. If you are doing your job as a professional photographer, you are finding out your limitations from the minister/wedding coordinator. You are then relaying this information to the wedding couple so they understand (without question) what you can provide them while staying in accordance with the ministers wishes. You are hired to do a job as well, that doesn't mean you are the top dog. Some ministers are more flexible than others, do what you are allowed. No surprises for the photographer, couple or the minister. Do your job as a professional photographer and keep the peace.

Paw Paw Bill Loc: d

The worst I have ever seen....

I had three video cameras [two were 1/2 inch 3 sensor and one that was 1/4 inch single] running to video a wedding. Every time a couple walked up the isle, 4 to 5 guests would jump into the isle with their little $75 point and shoot. The couple would stop for the photos and the poor photographer at the head of the isle would have to wait for everything to clear to get a decent shot as they approached him. When the bride entered with her father, 8 (EIGHT) P&S's are suddenly in the isle, surrounding the photog. He stepped back and waited. Otherwise he would have been stepped on or have stepped on someone. Talk about circus. I came very close to calling to my guys to pack it in right then and there.

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

That sounds like a circus...my response, step right in front of everyone with a firm but polite,,excuse me. And I would do it with my elbows out.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Yes the world has millions of PnS cameras. It is wise to walk down that isle before the Ceremony and pass out your cards and ask those 8 shooters to send their best shots because they are valuable to the B&G. Tell them you will incorporate some of them in the photos that are going to the couple. You can not stop them, it is the modern way take advantage of those shots. Even the worse $75 camera will take shots good enough for a slide show. Perhaps sharpen and other adjusts, but they are valuable shots you did not get. Most people will not see softness, or odd color reproduction,, they just do not see what we see. (I refer to stills)

Paw Paw Bill Loc: d

That's a good way to make the best of a bad situation.

Priest Loc: Indiana

Sorry, to read that episode, that is what happens when there are no rules or respect for the sacred act. It turned into a circus and those camera nuts really disrepected the bride and groom they came to support. Here, I blame the pastor for not communicating--no cameras once ceremony starts--I make it clear [its on the ceremony handout] and there is no problems + I know and side with the pro trying to do his or her job. And a real pro also abides by my wishes whether they believe in God or not is not the issue--. Peace. Priest.

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

Right on Priest.

Paw Paw Bill Loc: d

[quote=Priest
Sorry, to read that episode, that is what happens when there are no rules or respect for the sacred act. Priest.[/quote]

I have a great respect for the church and the marriage ceremony. I think that it is a very serious step that the bride only gets once (sadly not so much any more) in their life and it should be memorable, but not because of the antics of others. In my church and because of my experience, I have for several years, been placed in charge of weddings. I designate where the photographers and videographers may move without disrupting, but as a wedding photographer, I know how that they can still get the right shots.
I know it's cute, but I don't like the idea of too young a child participating. I encourage those that insist, to allow the child to walk in but rather than try to contain them during the ceremony, have their guardian meet them up front and take them to a seat on the first row until after the ceremony and let them march out.
Before the wedding begins, I educate the guests about the uselessness of flash photography since the flash will not reach from where they sit to the wedding party anyway. Turn the flash off, hold your finger over it if you can't disable it, and hold the camera still and shoot from your seat. You'll get better shots than having a flash going off. I am a friendly fellow and can tell them these things in a manner that they understand without getting anyone upset.
There are many other things, but you get the idea. My weddings are orderly and afterwards there are only happy remarks about how well the wedding went.
I know this may sound like a dictatorship, but I am also a bit of a comedian and can get my instructions across with everone agreeing and happy about the situation.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

To quote the Priest: "camera nuts really disrespected the bride and groom they came to support."

Give them a break, they love one or both of the couple, they are friends and relatives and It is just the modern way. They mean no harm, no disrespect to you or the couple, and God does not care and prefers joy, and should you in good conscience squelch their enthusiasm; God does not care and why should you. They are just being God's children and enjoying.

To often the Priestly way of control is guilt, rather than being part of the joy. Some of the more Evangelical churches accept and encourage the party like atmosphere. My observation of the young during teaching of 9th grade math/science ESE for three years after retirement suggests that there is less reverence and more party and that will be the way. Churches have changed a lot and will get with the modern way as time goes on or the business will decline.

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

I think you could equate your thoughts with any behavior, thus condoning whatever people (young or not) do. Does being "modern" mean do whatever you want? I don't think so at all. If you are in a church where that is the way they do things, do it that way. But to do whatever at the expense of the bride and groom (well intentioned or not), and disrepect for the house?? Wherever I am invited, I abide by the house rules. That's just being respectful, but todays society is becoming more like your statement, unfortunately. I'm sure every bride and grooms wedding I have done would rather have my photographs (which they are paying for) than their friends pics. Put your cameras away and let the pro that's being paid to record the event get the photos they really want. Not to mention respecting the house your in, and the person in charge of it. I don't think anybody is "squelching" anyones enthusiasm. All the weddings I have ever done have never had a carnival type atmosphere. Never seen or experienced it. Even ones in parks and the like, guests have some respect for the event. Too often the priestly way of control is guilt???? Sounds like you have an axe to grind.