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1/6/2013 8:33:21 PM

OmarBadouche in full effect on the last page

1/6/2013 8:39:24 PM

One of the non-natives from my Florida trip.


Another non-native.


A native.


A native.


A native.


My favorite non-native.


An imperiled native.


And more fun.

1/6/2013 8:53:56 PM

Went out for a shoot with some models at this old B&B, which turned into a good exercise in mixed-light environment. Another photographer that went with me had some Alien Bees and he basically used them to overpower all natural light, I had a slightly different approach with my speed lights where I had a mix of daylight coming through the window, some tungsten fixtures that were left on for the "atmosphere", and the (ungelled) speed lights. It was interesting to see how we got different results with the same models in the same room. It was a "vintage" themed photoshoot so that's why I went pretty liberal with LR filters in case you are wondering.











Here is a photo where you can see all three sources of light as taken with my Speedlights (soft boxed 580 at 11 o'clock and 480 with a plastic diffuser at 2 o'clock relative to the camera, probably at 1/4-1/8 power, no high speed sync)



This is the photo that I took with the other photorapher's Alien Bees (not sure what power he had them set to), I shot at similar shutter speed to my speedlight shot but much smaller aperture and lower ISO. Notice the window and the tungsten fixture are almost completely blacked out in contrast with the image above





[Edited on January 9, 2013 at 1:41 AM. Reason : .]

1/9/2013 1:35:38 AM

A few geckos.

1/11/2013 3:34:07 PM

Nice, those could work as fine art photo prints What did you light them with?

1/11/2013 11:08:08 PM

Thanks, I'll believe that when someone actually offers to pay me for a photo.

I lit it with a 430ex II on an off-shoe cord and through a homemade soft box.

1/12/2013 1:49:29 PM

Yeah I was mostly wondering about the size of the softbox, obviously its round shape which works very well for eye catchlights.

As far as selling these, first thing to do is to make some big ass prints of one them (I particularly like second and fourth one), at least A3+ size but maybe even larger, mounted if you can afford (they will come out attached to this Gatorboard material and with padding that will space them from the wall http://ezprints.com/fineartandcanvas/mountedprint/default.aspx ) Second thing to do is to find some more shots of the same theme that are stylistically similar (you should not have a problem with that, you have tons of reptile photos, and at least some of them have to be on a solid background of some sort (doen't ahve to be black but i do feel that it would need to be solid to fit in). Once you have three of four of these prints, you are in business. Get an agreement to prominently display them at high-traffic location in your office or any other place where reptilians are loved (specialty pet stores), make sure there is a blurb next to it with information about you and your work with reptilians (people love a personal connection) and I guarantee you that someone will scoop them up as long as they are reasonably priced. By the way, supersized fine art photo decals is all the rage right now, some photographers made it their specialization. Check out awesome work by Mark Laita http://www.marklaita.com/animals.php



Also make sure that they are tagged as specifically as possible on Flickr in case some nature-related publication wants them. I had couple of my tagged Flickr pics get scooped up for publications, unsolicited by me, while photographically better, but untagged photos have lower view counts.

You don't have to be professional photographer to make side money from your work. A lot of amateur photography I see on Flickr is heaps and bound better than some work by pro fotographers that I am familiar with in my area, maybe because the latter spend to much time chasing paid gigs to produce work that shows the same level of thought, attention to detail, and dedication to a particular subject


[Edited on January 12, 2013 at 3:51 PM. Reason : format]

1/12/2013 3:50:28 PM

These are some of the ones i sawin this thread that would fit together well, you probably have even more. Maybe you can have another series on natural background, I saw a number of good ones in that thread, they will also look good when mounted. I personally wouldn't mix the two. Probably a good idea not to mix the insects with reptilians either, it is better to split them into several groups by subject matter and composition/style. Each photo needs to look like it belongs to that one photoset, even if you shot it months apart, you will have to use a bit of subjective judgement on that. People like consistency (something that I thoroughly lack )

.

[Edited on January 12, 2013 at 4:16 PM. Reason : .]

1/12/2013 4:09:07 PM

I think Igor has a good point. If you just look around on stock sites, most of your work is on par with some of the higher rated images. You've got a strong niche and I think if you do your homework you'd be able to find some very willing galleries or agencies that would market your work.

Also, I got antsy to shoot something this afternoon, so while the kid was out for his nap I thought I'd try practicing with my 1 light some more. Here's some self portraits:

1/15/2013 5:48:38 PM

One can do a lot with one light. We should have a one-light competition sometime Your portraits look good! I never done a good self-portrait, I always end up hating mine. In fact, I've done better MySpace-pose cellphone shots than DSLR self-portraits

1/16/2013 3:48:12 AM

Alright...so coincidentally, I was just contacted by an illustrator who wants to do an illustration based off of one of my photos. He asked what I charge. Considering I've never charged, I don't even know where to start. I don't want to request too much, as this guy might turn around and ask to do more. I don't want to ask too little so as to undervalue myself. At the same time, I don't consider it a particularly unique photo, and I'm kind of surprised that of the billions of chameleon photos out there, this is what he chose.

The guy obviously sells prints and other stuff based off these illustrations, which cost ~$15 for a BW 8"x10" print, ~$20 for an 11"x14".

Photo requested:

1/16/2013 7:05:32 PM

That's great man, congratulations.
Selling the rights to an image gets really tricky as far as pricing because it all depends on usage and reproduction.

Images sold to print media are typically priced based on size of the image (1/4 page, 1/2 page, full page) and the distribution of the publication (X,000 paper copies + X,000 average online views)

If he's making 1 print of this and selling it for $20 then I'd say keep the asking price small, if however he's making 1 image and then reproducing thousands of prints, I'd want my asking price to be a little steeper. Also, how he uses it will alter the asking price, is it the base for a very intricate and complicated art piece or his he just slapping some lightroom filters on your photo and reselling it as prints (in which case you've done most of the work).

And it's all based on what you think it's worth, trying to gather market information costs will drive you mad. Some guys out there give this shit away, just happy to get credit, others would charge hundreds to thousands of dollars.

1/16/2013 9:10:34 PM

Since this image is similar to other images of chameleons (even though it is a good shot), you may not have much bargaining power in this case. Anyone can go into a zoo or terrarium and snap a picture of a chameleon through the glass. Photographers even hire chameleon handlers and take professional photos of chameleons, then sell them on stock photo sites. Unless this illustrator has a personal connection to you, he can buy generic photos of chameleons for $20 all day long http://www.istockphoto.com/search/text/chameleon/source/basic#7a35c59 Story may have been different if the photo was unique in some way (if it was captured at the time when chameleon's tongue was catching an insect, or if it was a rare type of a chameleon (it may be, for all I know).

After actually taking time to capture this photo, your best value the artist is creating a story behind the photo, which people can "take home" with them. You have invested a large part of your life into working with reptiles, and that makes your photographs much more valuable in some eyes than a poster picked up from the store. You just need to communicate this to the potential buyers, and find the right audience. In this case though, that value is lost after you pass the image through another set of hands.

The price you should accept is gonna be based on whether you can get exposure though this project. If the final prints have your credit somewhere, it may be worth giving him a good deal on it, selling it for the price of a microstock. If you will get no credit, or can't otherwise use this image to promote yourself, don't cheapen your brand. You could work out some sort of arrangement where you get paid based on the print run, but if this guy prints on demand, then collecting royalties can turn into a cumbersome process. Regardless on the arrangement you make, if you decide to sell the photo, make sure to require one complimentary copy of the final work (print of the illustration, in this case) in addition to compensation.

[Edited on January 16, 2013 at 9:45 PM. Reason : .]

1/16/2013 9:41:03 PM

Well, I appreciate the additional advice, but it really doesn't help me beyond what I was able to gather for myself.

Apparently, he's a fairly successful biological illustrator. He gives credits to those whose images he recreates. It's not a cheap recreation, everything is done by hand in ink. He does not have a shallow catalogue, though I don't think it's a name any random person would recognize.

I think, given the fact it's not an image I'm particularly fond of and that it's also a very common species in captivity, I'm going to keep it cheap. I know he's checking out other photos of mine of animals that I know are of higher artistic (and other) value, so I'm going to use this in hopes that it can be a point from which to take off.

1/16/2013 9:51:43 PM

Did I take a picture of a person?

1/22/2013 9:38:17 PM

So I'm selling a Canon 7D with 2 batteries and a charger and 2 16gb cf cards, a sigma 30mm f/1.4, a tokina 11-16mm f/2.8, a canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6, a canon 85mm f/1.8, and a 430 ex ii. pm me.

1/22/2013 10:24:33 PM

^ Oh man I wish I had some money. I really want to upgrade to the 7D, but we're a one income family and so it's just not happening right now. Nice package though.

1/27/2013 2:58:38 PM

do want.

1/27/2013 3:03:56 PM

i made some gifs

1/28/2013 1:05:23 AM

Those gifs make me lol so hard. I like watching the car go back and forth

1/28/2013 1:08:57 AM

1/28/2013 1:10:08 AM

Guy in the 4th one on the top left is having a seizure

1/28/2013 1:12:03 AM

Friend and fellow tdubber's dog.

1/28/2013 10:31:04 AM

awesome

1/28/2013 10:34:46 AM

^^Bawwwwww :3

1/28/2013 9:48:59 PM

Love the gifs! I don't know what it is so enchanting about animated gifs, but I can watch them for hours.

1/29/2013 2:15:00 AM

Got a few more from a group photoshoot. Had a pro photographer drive up here to DC all the way from NC. Apparently is originally from DC but now he lives in the sticks and still makes a living as a full time pro.

1/29/2013 2:51:21 AM

cool

that puppy is adorable

^^And thanks.

these were my first attempt, I think when I'm at shows not on assignment I'm going to start making more of these. I've been needing a personal project

[Edited on January 29, 2013 at 6:23 PM. Reason : .]

1/29/2013 6:21:39 PM

Regarding the 70-200 L, is IS worth the extra $1000? I've only used the IS version before at weddings as a rental.

2/4/2013 9:18:17 AM

So, my wife and I will probably get an DSLR camera this year. We would use it both outdoors and indoors, but I know for a fact we would be using it quite a bit indoors to document some interior design work for ourselves. I'm totally out of touch with cameras after being cheap and just using smartphone cameras for the past several years, but that also means I am unbiased to a specific manufacturer's interface style as well. I know a little about photography but have never owned a really nice camera.

Any recommendations on a good "budget" SLR for someone like us? Something in the 500ish range would be great. I don't know what comes with these lower end SLR models, but because I would be doing lots of indoor shooting, being able to adjust shutter speed to shoot at different times of day on a tripod and avoid window washout would be nice.

Also, what lens would someone recommend as a good compromise lens for interior shooting? Obviously something wide but not too wide to avoid shifting/uneven line distortion that I would have to spend too much time in Photoshop adjusting. I obviously can't even consider trying to justify a TS lens since I don't plan to try and make any money off of using this camera or anything and it would cost more than the camera budget . It is probably just going to be for pictures on a blog as I document some things. I'm trying to upgrade from a camera phone, and would like an SLR but I'm still trying to get out as cheap as possible.

[Edited on February 4, 2013 at 10:13 AM. Reason : ]

2/4/2013 10:07:53 AM

^^Worth it? Yes. But not every assignment would benefit from IS, so it's really up to the kind of work you do, or the kind of work you'd like to do that an IS lens would help with.

Also, I assume you're looking at the F/2.8 and not the F/4. I think the extra grand is better spent on the wide aperture over IS.

^For $500 you're limited to the bottom line cameras with Canon or Nikon and whatever kit lens comes with it. I bought a Rebel T2i to replace my old 1D and I enjoy it. It's limiting when it comes to the type of work I can pick up, but it would do fine at the kind of work you're looking at.

Also, it'd be worth your time to check out one of the local resellers. I use Southeastern for rentals and have purchased new and used gear through them before. You can save some money/buy better gear by getting it used. Also going to a brick and mortar will help you guys get a chance to play with the cameras a little bit before making a decision.

Check back over this thread, your question gets asked every few pages and someone more knowledgeable than I usually posts a good response.

[Edited on February 4, 2013 at 10:27 AM. Reason : ]

2/4/2013 10:23:45 AM

Thanks for the information. I do plan to take the time to comb through this thread at some point as well because I know I've seen a lot of good info/tips in it.

2/4/2013 10:43:14 AM

I forgot to mention to check out http://www.dpreview.com/
They do a great job of reviewing camera bodies and you can compare across brands.

2/4/2013 10:49:15 AM

Thanks again. Also, when you mentioned being limited to the low-end and whatever kit lens came with it, you just meant coming all-in under $500 right? They still have the ability for interchangeable lenses correct?

I agree I will be limited to low-end on the cameras, but I guess I should clarify (since I wasn't very clear with this in my original post) that I was hoping to pick up a camera for $500ish and would look into a wide angle lens separately at some point (probably used like you mentioned) to aid in the interior shooting.

Perhaps the stock lens would even be good enough for awhile with the kind of stuff I would like to shoot. I just know I will be shooting in spaces that aren't huge and open like many professional interior photographers get to work with and so, in a bedroom for example, there is only so far away you can get to try and get more of the room in the shot.


[Edited on February 4, 2013 at 11:06 AM. Reason : ]

2/4/2013 10:56:35 AM

Yep, I'm looking at the f/2.8
Already have the 24-70 f/2.8L to accompany it. For business purposes I use these for weddings, which can of course lead to low light situations. Just gets a bit tense when talking yourself into the big purchases.

2/4/2013 3:09:05 PM

^^ Kit lens or not, for $500 you're looking at either a Canon Rebel, Nikon D5100, or the Sony Alpha SLT-A57 (Which I know absolutely nothing about). I'd stick with Canon or Nikon since their glass is about as good as it gets.

And for indoor shots of interior design on a DIY budget, you can always stitch multiple shots together. I used this to pull together images for designers I worked with of interior spaces. I didn't have glass wide enough to get a good shot in one frame.

An example:



In the meantime, I'd love to help you guys out if you need some work photographed in the Triangle area. My architectural and design portfolio is pretty limited and is all work done by my last employer.

And one thing I learned from working with designers is they are very concerned about the perspective of each shot. Photoshop and Lightroom have great tools to correct distortion from wide lenses (and wide stitches). You'll lose a lot of the image around the edges from the correction though, so make sure to get shots that will allow for liberal cropping.

[Edited on February 4, 2013 at 5:13 PM. Reason : Wrong software recommendation]

2/4/2013 5:12:04 PM

awesome, i like the pic. I really appreciate all the input! I had glanced at the Nikon D3200 which I know is at a similar price point to the D5100 but they each have their pluses and minuses. I'll look into the other cameras as well but agree I would like to stick with a Canon or Nikon at the price I am looking at.

Good tip on stitching things together. I have done that years ago but I'm sure if I took my time (I have both CS3 and then Elements 9 but no lightroom) I could make that work. I'm sure at the time I was doing it the hard way too and not even utilizing the full power of Photoshop. That makes perfect sense about the room for cropping etc. once you start getting into correcting the distortion - because you're right perspective can be important depending on how a designer sees their room.

Unfortunately, we live in Greenville, SC - I moved there after graduating. We actually both work for an engineering company, so right now this is very much just a hobby of ours and mainly I am documenting the before and after of rooms in our own house. I would love to make a little more of it in the future which is why I am trying to document what we've done in our own space.

I always liked looking at pictures of architecture and design but never did anything with it. When we got a custom sofa order placed in 2011, we went through a local interior design company so they could get us the trade discount. In the end when they delivered our sofa, the designer who they sent to make sure we were happy with the piece started asking about some rooms in our house and if we did all the decorating or had someone help. She said it definitely looked like we paid a designer. We've had a few other people comment on that lately as we have finished some of our bigger projects. I decided to at least try and start getting some good quality pictures to document via a blog. If it could ever become a side consulting job it would be awesome (but that would be a long way off).

Sorry for the long post, but i just figured I'd provide some detail/extra insight into what we are doing and why I'm not looking to drop huge $texas on a real professional setup but do want something several steps ahead of where I have been at currently. Thanks again for the info.

2/4/2013 5:43:32 PM

So I took my son on his first cold weather camping trip last week while my wife was in Chicago. I met up with my brother in Asheville and then we headed to Brevard. I was hoping to take a bunch of photos, but I keep forgetting that I have a hard time caring for a toddler and taking awesome photos. So I got just a few and some time lapses:

(Anyone willing to embed these for me?)

A time lapse I did at night from the campsite we had on a ridge line
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECsagS7tsqg&feature=share&list=UU9IME_ELH8VvYSkG1yYMKhw

This one's a time lapse from the Blue Ridge Parkway. We biked up a section and stopped for lunch. I had some issues with the calculator I was using as an intervalometer. Either the batteries were dying or the cold (below freezing) was causing issues connecting to the camera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJdavDivqbk&feature=share&list=UU9IME_ELH8VvYSkG1yYMKhw

And a few images I grabbed from lunch on the parkway:







^ Glad I could help

2/4/2013 10:43:20 PM

Embed of Mtan Man214's timplapse

Quote :

"Regarding the 70-200 L, is IS worth the extra $1000? I've only used the IS version before at weddings as a rental"

If you do a lot of video, IS is totally worth the extra money. With photo, it depends if you can afford to increase the ISO by three stops or not. Remember, IS does not eliminate the blur created by motion of the subjects, so it is usually better to increase the shutter speed and bump up the sensitivity than to rely on IS. If you do decide that you need the IS, and you are OK with buying a used lens, you can save some money by getting the older version (IS vs IS II). That's what I ended up doing.

[Edited on February 5, 2013 at 3:03 PM. Reason : second clip]

2/5/2013 2:59:41 PM

Shot The xx. missed focus on a shot. hit focus on the next shot. blended em.



Anyone on Tumblr? http://bwell.tumblr.com/


[Edited on February 6, 2013 at 8:29 PM. Reason : .]

2/6/2013 8:24:54 PM

Bump

2/9/2013 2:52:15 PM

I found some jpegs that I took a long time ago, and I want to edit a few of them in Lightroom $

Should I leave them as jpeg or convert to DNG? They are old photos I already took, so RAW is not an option.

2/9/2013 2:59:39 PM

I'm not the tech savviest of people, but why would you need to convert? It's my understanding that jpeg is now a fairly stable file format, and converting it to another will never increase data or quality, but runs the risk of loss of data/quality.

2/9/2013 3:57:56 PM

Someone suggests me to buy a professional camera to take pic for my newborn. But I'm not a fan of photo-taking. What do u guys think?

2/9/2013 4:25:08 PM

First shoot with 5Dmk2. I didn't expect it to look so much better than my T2i.

55mm f1.2 (nikon)
20mm f1.8 (sigma)
70-300 f4-5.6 (tamron)
5dmk2

2/9/2013 11:23:10 PM

^Great Job dude.

2/9/2013 11:38:03 PM

^ how did you assemble your time lapse video, what software did you use?

2/10/2013 2:02:34 PM

^Quicktime 7 Pro. It does a decent job, but I'm trying to find a way to do it in Lightroom. Right now my workflow is Import & Edit in lightroom - export images - import to quicktime - export movie.

If your a windows user, there are several free programs you can use that do a great job.

2/10/2013 3:37:17 PM

Would anyone be interested in doing a family photo shoot for me in September? My husband's parents both have birthdays and a milestone anniversary in September. We were hoping to tell them that it is just the immediate family and then surprise them with the extended family showing up during the shoot. We would basically just want a disc with all the unedited photos, and maybe a dozen edited photos. I have no idea how long this would take, but if anyone is interested pm me with your rates and maybe a link to your work? Thanks!


Oh, it would be in or around Raleigh, maybe at a park or something.

2/13/2013 12:28:23 PM