The reality is that pros now shoot in raw format, which is a digital negative.
Do some research and see how many of the great photographs of our time, shot on film, were ‘adjusted’ in the dark room.
Using chemicals, the experts in the darkroom could enhance the image to suit their vision.
The choice of film and film speed used in the camera produced different results too.
An example – look in Photoshop for ‘dodge and burn’ – the name comes from darkroom techniques.

So what if you shoot with an automatic setting, saving as a jpg?
Well – you’ve just given the camera manufacturer the gig to interpret the photographic scene, make adjustments, and throw away much of the data to compress the file.
Your negative just got trashed. Jpg is what we call a ‘lossy format’. That term says it all.

There are many processes that professional photographers perform, or pay other professionals for.
These include colour correction, and blemish removal.
Colour correction example – remove the yellow tinge that an old fashioned light has cast on your lovely white gown.
Blemish removal – well, we can remove EVERY blemish if you wish to look like a CGI model.
Or just a little to smooth your skin, same as a little makeup touchup.
Not honest – if you really want honesty, go and throw out all your makeup, perfume, hair colour etc etc

Please remember that professional photography is not ‘hit and miss’.
We’ve spent many years honing our craft and deserve to be paid fairly for our art as well as our skills.

While I’m on my soapbox – if your camera is set on ‘auto’, don’t call yourself a professional.

Natural beauty, and a fitness lifestyle – the beautiful Kylie shows how fabulous you can look. Baby is so beautiful already, I can’t wait to meet him/her in the next few days!
No makeup artist, all natural lighting.

Their photographs are not ’snaps’ or ‘lucky accidents’.
They know how to adjust their camera settings and work with existing light or add light to create an image.
They have a backup camera, spare battery, extra lighting.
They have access to a number of professional photographers who can step up if they have a sudden illness or accident the day before your wedding.

Everyone has a friend or many friends with a great little camera, or even an entry level DSLR.
But do they really know how to drive it? Automatic settings don’t always deliver the photo you hoped for.
Are you willing to take the chance that they have remembered to charge the battery and bring extra memory cards?
Do they have a backup plan if the camera fails?
How reliable is their file transfer process?
Will they still be able to find your precious photos when you want an enlargement for your anniversary?

Also is available in the Australian app store for $23.99. There is a lite version too, but I’m testing the full version.

More info here: http://www.ononesoftware.com/quick/2009/08/dslr/landing.php?utm_campaign=DSLRRemote_Email_0809&utm_medium=email&utm_source=QH_DSLRRemote_All

Here are some of my snaps of the day.

I love photographing the photographers

So, if you have Photoshop CS3 and buy a Nikon D90, you will need to upgrade to CS4 if you want to use Photoshop to process your raw files.

Alternatively you can buy Lightroom 2 or Nikon’s Capture NX2.
****UPDATE***
The fix – update Camera Raw to version 4.6 and it adds D90 raw file compatibility to CS3.
DOWNLOAD HERE
******************

What do I use – I have a D700 and had the same problem with Photoshop.
I bit the bullet and upgraded to CS4 so that I could use Bridge and Photoshop for the start of my HDR processing. Second step is to save as tif, and open in Lightroom 2 for final adjustments.

Yes, I know Photomatix is the software everyone likes to use for their HDR, but I like the presets I’ve created in Lightroom2. And, I can’t buy EVERY piece of software that I like…i wish….

Here are two of my current favorite HDRs.
I hope you like them too

“New restrictions on carrying batteries on aeroplanes – how does this affect me if I’m carrying Nikon batteries?

The International Civil Aviation Organisation recently issued a change to its Dangerous Goods Regulations, affecting how Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries can be carried on flights. They apply to these batteries depending on output, measured in Watt hours (Wh).

Under the new regulations, batteries under 100Wh are exempt from carrying restrictions. Nikon batteries are all below 28Wh in output.

The new regulations state that an electronic device containing a Li-ion battery (such as a camera) can be carried along with a maximum of two spare Li-ion batteries. These should not be put into checked baggage but should be carried as hand luggage.

If you are unsure about any of these restrictions, we would recommend that you speak to the airline you are travelling with to check the policy details regarding carrying Li-ion batteries before you fly.

When transporting spare batteries we recommend that they be individually packaged and the battery terminals insulated by fitting the plastic battery terminal cover supplied with all Nikon batteries.”

The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and ability to control various factors during the image taking and making process. Photographers, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur all benefit from this ability to manipulate pixels. However, with flexibility comes a price. Digital camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into creating a work of photographic art.

We all know that you can go to the local Walgreen’s and pay a $1.99 for a print – as a client you may wonder why you may pay upwards of $50, $70, $90 for a custom photography print. Photographers hear this statement every once in awhile:

“How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at x store?”

The truth of the matter is the answer to this question is multifaceted. Much of the cost of a photographic print produced by a professional photographer has a lot to do with the time, equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer not to mention expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.

The cost of TIME

Approaching it from a time standpoint, let’s imagine that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love. This photographer is traveling an hour to your destination to photograph your session. Here is an example of a time break down:

session prep time (30 mins – 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks)
one hour travel time TO session
15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home
90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
one hour travel time FROM session
30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images
1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
2-3 hours time with client for ordering images
1 hour sorting through and checking order
30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery
30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped
any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues
In this example, the time spent per client can range from just under 13 hours to 19 hours – dependent on the photographer’s level of service. This is time dedicated only to ONE session. When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot (aka SESSION FEE) you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.The COSTS of Maintaining a Custom Photography Business:

Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer. Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2100 there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run from $900 to $2500. A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer.

Then come lab costs for specialty products. A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success. Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client.

Discussion other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip many of the intricate details. There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc.

APPLES to ORANGES to BANANAS:

Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $19.99 for an 8×10 “sheet” or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains. The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service. In February 2007 leased photography retail space by a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation? The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ “professional” prints if you do not sell enough of them. Interestingly enough – those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10). The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait services in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments. Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the “loss leader”.

Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions. You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience. Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.

REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER:

Being in demand, being well known for quality work, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part. Their expertise comes at a cost, their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism. A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography. Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream? They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc..

Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch. To create good work good equipment, reliable equipment, back up equipment is a necessity. The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability. This is how reputations get built. Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation.

I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories. The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious investment.

content is inspired by discussions with other photographers, my own personal experiences and outline based on an article by San Diego Photographers Caught On Film Photography.

Reproduced with permission from the Professional Child Photographer Consumer Guide by Marianne Drenthe http://www.professionalchildphotographer.com
Thanks to Jamie Cochran for the tweet linking to the article.

Check it out at her blog, “a view from my side of the lens”.

Maybe now the stocks will start to flow here in Australia for my Canon photographer friends who’ve been so very patient.

(Me – I’m still LOVING my Nikon D700)

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