Gary, i don't know where you live, but with all of the equipment you are planning on purchasing, PLEASE do not forget advertisement! I know that everyone says that your photos and customers will take care of the advertisement. I have taken most of my weddings in our immediate town of Bay City, Texas, but due to some advertisement I have had couples from Houston, Corpus Christi, Dallas, San Antonio, Enid, Ok., Washington, DC, and several other places requesting my services. I had to charge and additional fee for travel out of town because of the distance of over 35 miles listed in my brochure stating that weddings more than 35 miles from Bay City would require an additional fee of "X dollars per extra mile, going and coming" due to the distance from home. I have advertized in our local paper for years and also in some of the closer towns so that individuals would know about me. I always featured several photographs of bridals which I had taken recently, and always with their permission. So you can see how important that advertisement can be. It is not the MOST important, but it does help a lot if it is done correctly. Good luck in your new business! My wife of over 50 years and I enjoyed our work immensley and have done as many as three in one day!
However, after having to have a 4-way heart bypass, my surgeon said to me, "Whatever you do, do NOT go back to wedding photography as it is just too stressful!" So that was the day that I had to cancel five weddings (one booked for over 1 1/2 years). and make suggestions to them for other people to to do their wedding. I have only done two since then, and these were for young ladies which I have known since birth, and thank goodness, they were the short type of wedding!
My wife and I both wish you success in your new venture and hope that you enjoy it immensely as we have done.
Bob and Laura Curtis
As to the Afghan woman, have you seen the latest one of her about twenty year later? She is wearing the Burkha with her face completely covered except for the eyes, and some of her children are present. The photographer asked to be able to see her eyes to see if it was the same woman, and it was! They could tell by the color and placement of lines, etc. I am so glad that there is a photo of her younger self so we, as students of photography, could appreciate the change that age has over people, and especially the application of culture.
Bob Curtis
I have to say that I am a RETIRED Pro as I do not take photos of weddings, portraits, etc., any more. I did for close to 30 years. Now I take photos for fun and enjoyment and to have material on which I can demonstrate how Photoshop works to various classes.
Bob Curtis
Very true. I have ALWAYS used the Macs. Presently I have an iMac for my desk. It is hooked up to a LaCie external hard drive which I always take with me when traveling. My traveling machine is a Mac book and my LaCie hard drive so that I can work on items as I stay with friends or in motels. This helps keep me up to date with my work. I do not take a printer with me as that is just too much for one person to carry. My machines are loaded with the Adobe Photoshop CS-5, and other programs so that I can be ready to print any thing that I have worked on when I get home. I will take a Mac any day as I am very familiar with them and how they print out on my Epson 2400 printer. I only use Epson paper now but am considering adding some other high grade papers in the near future.
Bob Curtis
I have been using photoshop since it first came ousts. Back in those days there WAS NO COLOR - JUST B/W! Talk about fun? Now we have almost everything you can imagine. Now, trying to learn photoshop the "quick easy way." I, like many others, do not believe that there is a "Quick-Easy way." For years I have bought various books, read nearly everything I could get my hand on, learned a small amount, and then I found Scott Kelby and the bunch from NAPP. THEN I STARTED LEARNING as Scott, in his books, takes you on a trip with him as he shows you just how to do the things he does in seminars, personal attention, etc. There is nothing secretive about his work, it is all there showing exactly what he does to get the most beautiful photos imaginable! Go to his website and check it out. Unless you are a member of the NAPP you will will not be able to view everything, but you will be able to see a lot. Click on www. National Association of Photoshop Professionals.
Bob Curtis
Gary - you are one brave Dude! Already done one wedding and want some more! Forget the price of equipment, just go and get it! Seriously, I was a wedding photographer for over 22 years until I had a 4 way heart bypass in 2000. The first thing my surgeon said to me after the surgery was "Don't go back to wedding photography as it is too stressful!" Then was when I had to quit. Each week I kept getting calls to do a wedding and it hurt having to tell my friends that my doctor told me NOT to do any more weddings because of the stress!! For over 5 years each week there would be any where from 2 to a dozen individuals looking for a wedding photographer. I kept seeing the dollars fading away! But, at least I had the common sense to follow my doctors orders and I am still around. Have I forgotten photography? No Way! I do restorations and enhancing of photos now and enjoy it thoroughly. I take photos of scenics and animals as we travel trough the mid west parts of the USA. This may not be as much fun as wedding photography, but it is a whole lot less stressful!
Bob Curtis
Photoshop Creative? This a new one on me! Thanks for the info.
Bob Curtis
I subscribe to Outdoor Photography mainly, but have a lot of photography books that I have purchased over the years that were mainly from Scott Kelby, etc. These books are very specific in nature and are outstanding in their content. It is just like taking private lessons from the authors. If you are not a member of NAPP (National Association of Professional Photographers) you will not be able to see all of their web site unless you ARE a member. Believe me when I say that it is worth every penny of the fee!
Plus sign - - - The title is NOT SPECIFIC - - - you do not have to be a pro to join!
Bob Curtis
Strange, as I have a 50 - 500 zoom lens that I have had for over a year now and no problems. I attach it to my Sigma a700 and it works just fine. I do not use it all the time, but enjoy taking bird and squirrel photos with it in my front yard with my Sony a700 camera and the photos have all been clear and sharp! I do not recommend hand holding a camera with the lens attached as it is large and heavy. If you have a mono pod or tripod it will work much better and steadier and be easier to control. The solution may be that I bought it directly from a company rather than an individual - fresh out of the box!
Bob Curtis
I have owned two Sony's to take the place of two matched Film Cameras that I had on a driving trip to Alaska in 2003. The first one started going out while on the trip and the second one after we got home - this is when I started searching for a camera that would take the lenses in the older ones. Sony came to the resque and I have never doubted them since. I now have two and am planning on purchase more at a future date.
Bob Curtis
Welcome, Kelley! We all hope you enjoy the talkings of all us "old timers." Pretty soon.you will be one also. I am a retired school teacher (band - 31 years), and have been a pro photographer for over 30 years, and had to retire from weddings following a 4 way heart bypass in 2000. My doctor said do NOT go back to wedding photography as it is too stressful, so I obeyed his wishes. Now I am 81, take what I want to, mainly do retouching and and teaching and enjoy it thoroughly! Tell us a little about your self, and don't be afraid of asking questions because on this board there are many who can give you answers.
Bob Curtis
I LIKE your style! I have been a Mac person since even way back when they were only in b/w! You couldn't find a color scanner as there were not in existence yet. Now, look at what we have! I only hope that I am around for the next 20 or so years (I'm 81 now) just to see what is available! I can dream, can't I?
Bob Curtis
I am strictly an Apple/Macintosh fan. These are the only computers which I have ever owned for over 30 years. I have been completely satisfied with them and have probably fewer problems than most individuals. To me, this is an important factor. I am not saying that other computers are not good, just that these have been the best operating and least trouble free that I have ever found, barring none! I now own an I-Mac with a huge screen (better for retouching - see items better) and a laptop to use when traveling, etc. All Mac's! However, it seems that usually after about 10 - 15 years of constant use (I mean every day, several times a day) I have to replace one or both of the computers, as the systems do change and what worked well on the old one's do not continue over to the newer models!
Bob Curtis
I am strictly an Apple/Macintosh fan. These are the only computers which I have ever owned for over 30 years. I have been completely satisfied with them and have probably fewer problems than most individuals. To me, this is an important factor. I am not saying that other computers are not good, just that these have been the best operating and least trouble free that I have ever found, barring none! I now own an I-Mac with a huge screen (better for retouching - see items better) and a laptop to use when traveling, etc. All Mac's! However, it seems that usually after about 10 - 15 years of constant use (I mean every day, several times a day) I have to replace one or both of the computers, as the systems do change and what worked well on the old one's do not continue over to the newer models!
Bob Curtis
As far as mounting and framing photos I do not do this. I have very competent framer who specializes in this and I trust her explicitly as she has done my work for over 20 years now.
This is an entirely different field than photography. My suggestion is to find an individual who makes their living from framing, get to know them, and build a trust with them so that they can make suggestions about types of frames for your photos with which you can feel comfortable. Trust me, their work in framing is MUCH better than mine any day. I even have them mount the photos that I need framing - I don't trust myself even to do this!
Bob Curtis