Thanks close but no cigar. I know how to do double exposures in camera. ( I've been doing it for 40 years as a wedding photographer.) My question was for in camera digital not with PS. My Nikon has a setting for DE. My question was what color mask should be used for digital. With negative film you use black masks for slide film you use a white mask. So with digital what color mask do you use, Black or White?

I have never seen this here. I know that when shooting negative film you use black masks to make double exposures. When using digital what color masks do you use, black masks or white masks?

I had cataract surgery in the spring I chose the distance lens. They do one eye and then the other a few weeks later in case there was a problem with the first one. When I had the first one done I was so pleased with my vision and the vibrant colors that I couldn't wait to have the second one done. I felt like a kid again to be able to see without glasses it was unbelievable. I do need readers for reading fine print but that's all. I don't need any thing for shooting. As is with cameras your view is set for distants so focusing is not a problem.

I have shot many weddings and have worked for some of the biggest studios in my area for over 40 years. If you were ever dressed in anything less than a suit and tie you would be blackballed and never work for any studio again. I have shot weddings in NYC where a tux was the expected attire and in Arizona in 110 heat. Always wore a suite and tie. The same holds true when I shot weddings in Europe. If you command a professional price then you dress like a professional.

yes when I went digital I invested $14,000 in 2 camera bodies and lens back in 2ooo. When cameras became cheaper and these guys would go out with one camera it was hard to compete. People today want quantity not quality. that's what I mean by digital killed the business. Photographers today just turn on the continuous and no thought to posing, shoot a couple thousand pics just to deliver 400-500 shots. As I said with film you had to make every shot count and my weddings told a love story not a bunch of candid's that no one wanted. I'm retired now. Got out when weddings were fun to shoot not spray and pray. I took pride in my work.

yes on average I shot 2 sometimes 3 weddings a weekend. The rest of the week was spent processing and putting the proofs in a book. I had a sales girl who took the reorders and booked the weddings. I hate to say this I was the first photographer to go digital in my area but I think digital killed the business. I shot film for years when you had to make every shot count and when digital became popular people expected 800 to 1000 proofs and drove prices down to the point it wasn't worth doing anymore.

I have done over3300 weddings in my 45 years as a wedding photographer. I agree 100% with your post.

LOL

I agree with you 100% also add would you bring your own sound system to the reception because the DJ is playing the Bride and Grooms music they requested and you want to play what you like? I think not. If you did that when a band was hired they would pack up and leave. How is that different then stealing the pro's poses and time?

You are more than welcome to do that. Of course you would never get a chance to before I showed you the door.

As a professional photographer I have in my contract that I am to be the only photographer and if people get in my way I have the right to pack up and leave for breach of contract. I do this not because I'm afraid of others giving pictures to the bride & groom but because I have to work in a tight time frame and I have to get the pictures. I don't like people shooting over my shoulder or getting in my way. Let one person shoot opens the door for everyone with a camera shoot and I never will
get mine because time ran out. I shoot with multilabel lights that can be triggered by others flash and that ruins there shots and wastes my time and batteries. Also if they shoot at the same time as I do they ruin my shot. I'm not there to pose the couple for others to shoot I pose for the couple. I will let the guests take all the pictures they want after I am done. Usually the couple are tired of standing there or are told they have to leave, not my problem. I could care less how many people take pictures at the reception have fun but please stay out of my way.

nice shot

E.L.. Shapiro, you are saying what I said but in much more detail. Thank you for your impute. I for one study the great masters paintings for inspiration for my lighting styles.

If you don't talk to your subject how do you know what they hired you for. Yes the goal always to make people look their best, that's why they came to you in the first place. "Or produce good and unique work?" If that is what you are after don't expect a paying customer to go along with that idea. Hire a model and have fun, that's what they are being paid for. I for one prefer to shoot environmentals but that is not always possible I.E. rain, snow,wind. I always take my lights with me, studio, location or nature. That way nothing is left to chance. Yes you must know your lighting, studio or natural. If you are getting paid you leave nothing to chance. Natural light is great but never perfect you must be prepared to modify at the moment you are the professional remember. Customers are not paying you for mistakes they want results. Try telling that to a bride on the most important day of her life. Nobody wants to reshoot another time because you didn't produce the first time. Time is money for both you the photographer and the customer.

Bill, so far you have given the best answer. The question I asked was not for me. I was hoping to draw out responses for those who want to be portrait photographers and think it's just knowing how to set up their lights and the rest is easy. I've been a professional photographer for over 45 years. Yes, you must know your equipment and how to use it but more importantly is to know about how to pose people so they look their best and then you must talk to them to find out who they are, what they like and what they are looking for from you. You must be able to get them to relax in front of a camera, if you don't all you'll get is a blank stare and a fake smile. People don't know what to do with their hands or how to shift their weight or how to sit or stand for the best results. Just because you have good equipment that's only a small first step. I've given many seminaries here in Rochester NY where everybody with a camera call themselves a photographer. I remember one young man who graduated from RIT, a college that has turned out many great photographers but this one young man gave a list of all he learned and it was very impressive indeed. After introducing himself he said I have only one question. How do I take a good picture? I see this all the time, the answer is experience. It's not what you know but how you use what you know.