 Debby A. Tabb |
Studio Photography or The Cooked Husband Part 2 As a group we have decided to create Part 2 of this the first thread. http://www.betterphoto.com/forms/qnaDetail.php?threadID=17534 Please start at part 1 for Our lighting examples. And have FUN!
Betsy Labuschagne member since: 6/3/2005 Studio photography
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Debby A. Tabb |
To continue with your sizing question Laura, I don't size most things when recording them to disk. and here are the measurements I use to send things to print: 4x6-1280x1920 5x7- 1600x2240 11" x 14" Enlargements
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Tom Sheridan |
Debby, since you need to resize sometimes to meet those dimensions do you have any advice for in-camera cropping? For example, do you leave "room" on a certain side of the subject to allow you to crop to different sizes later? I found I had trouble with some of my shots when trying to print 5x7 from a shot I loved at 4x6 since I was stuck cutting out part of the subject.
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Kerry L. Walker |
Debby, you folks need to rent a large suite at a nice hotel and have your own convention. (I'll bring the coffee pot.)
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Debby A. Tabb |
WHEN I FRAME I USE A IMAGINARY GRAPH TO GIVE ME A OUTLINE OF THE FRAMED AREA.
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Debby A. Tabb |
WHEN I FRAME I USE A IMAGINARY GRAPH TO GIVE ME A OUTLINE OF THE FRAMED AREA.
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Laura E. OConnor |
Uhhh...Did I hear talk of coffee? I could smell a fresh pot from here! Hi guys, I found you! Kerry, are you our "lurking" member of the thread? ;) Join in with some of that wit and helpful info! I'm going to save the other thread as a pdf file for anyone who wants me to e-mail off a copy. So, Debby, imaginary graph? Is this something only you can see???? LOL! So you don't actually do 8x10's then? What do customers do with the 8x12 image, or do you use an outside printer who then prints them to 8x10? You would still lose some of the images though, no? Please excuse me and my lack of intellectual capability this afternoon, I've only had one very weak cup of McD's coffee so far today. I think I need to make a pot. Debby, on the other thread, you had said you were going to post something about backdrops????
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Tina Edwards |
Debby, Great idea on making a part 2 even with DSL it takes a little while so I could just imagine what it takes with Dial up. I also want to say thanks for posting about the sizing on this thread, I was wondering about that. This group is great, I don't post everyday but I have been trying to keep up with reading the thread every other day.
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Lynn Snow |
Hi guys, I just wanted to say hi and I have really learned a lot from reading this thread. I have a photo shoot this weekend for a 3 month old, so I'm really excited. I'm planning to use a bean bag and a boppy pillow for the poser. Debby, do you have any good suggestions for poses using the bean bag (I just bought it the other day). Laura, could I get the e-mail containing the pdf file from you. I would like to store this info - so much good stuff here. Also, as for the sizing, I use the crop function in photoshop for 8x10 and under at 300 ppi. For 11x14 and larger, I still use the crop function, but let ps fill in the ppi dimensions. When I then send the prints to a printer, I specify the print size, which should match the file size I have sent along with it. I have great luck, and my pictures usually comes back looking the same as the sent file, since they have been presized already. Hope this helps.
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Debby A. Tabb |
oh gosh!! this will be as large as the other in no time! Laura, when I print I just send the orignal size through- but when I send out to print-I have been doing it on line though ,Costco(I really like them and they will print your studio name on them) then I resize to those dimentions. I do hope this helps. the back drops, ahhh should I make you wait till you've had a pot like the rest of us???lol,lol no here- a friend ( on another site ) emailed me this link from BP: http://www.betterphoto.com/exploring/MakingBackDrops.php it's really good.
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Michelle Ross |
When I upload my pictures they are sized at 8 x 12. I very rarely have anyone want larger than 8 x 10. I upload the 8 x 12 so when I go to print I have all of the picture there to go from. MPix shows you where the cropping will occur and allow you to adjust. If you upload an 8 x 10 and then the customer decides later they want a 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 then you have more cropping . . . by keeping it at the 8 x 12(or 12x18 if you know they will want larger prints) you don't have to worry about that and can adjust however. . . I'm not sure what the dimensions are on the 8 x 12(2000x 3000 I think). I'm like Debby when it comes to taking the shot . . . I try to visualize the imaginary graph in side the camera so when I do the post editing I don't lose important parts because I got in too close. . . I have a sitting for a 10month old coming up . . . I need ideas . . . we are going to do some indoor stuff so I can "practice" with the lights and also some outdoor where he is much happier. . . I'm going to have a pedal John deere tractor there and a big stuffed dog. . . but I'm really blank as to what else . . . I want some kind of flow with these photos . . . and again I'm thinking I'd like to get between 15-25 shots(good ones)?? is that acceptable for this age or is 10-15 probably more likely?
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Tom Sheridan |
If the child can stand while holding onto something you can use a toy to make them seem to be doing something. For a girl you could use a baby carriage and have her seem to be pushing it. We have some great photos of our daughter at 9 months with a wicker baby carriage. For your shoot since it's a boy I am thinking lawn mower or a radio wagon red wagon with the handle set in one position so he can hold himself up on it.
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Ruben L. Wade |
Hey guys. If you would like to meet Debby in person and plan on being in the San Diego area, E-mail her and she will definately respond. I personaly have and also have her four CDs. They are really worth any investment! Thanks Debby!
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Laura E. OConnor |
Thanks, Ruben. I WISH I could be in San Diego (I LOVE IT THERE!) to meet her, but won't be any time soon. She's been SO GREAT taking up so much of her time on us. I've spoken to Debby and conversed with her through the threads for a while and she's a GREAT lady! Thanks for visiting our thread! Stick around and share some of your knowledge! Laura
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Debby A. Tabb |
That's enough of this junk! get back to work!!!lol,lol Hey I would love to do a big class in Texas- Laura, what do you think! Any way- Betsy you have a 1 year old to do-Michelle a 10 mo. old ok lets see what I have on this computer-if not I'll have to look tomorrow. Body poses: Take full body on same color . then the approvals on same back ground 1) head shot and 1 ) arm pose. thats 3. then change things around. 1 year is about the end of the naked baby time- so see if you can get those shots. here are a few for you. Thanks every one for your kind words- I am haveing so much fun with all of you. and wishing all of you the best in all your ventures, Debby
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Betsy Labuschagne |
Hi all. this is Merlin, Betsy's hubby. I've been saving your link everyday to my mem stick and taking home for Betsy to follow. We should have our connection problem sorted out shortly - hopefully - just to let you know - cheers
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Debby A. Tabb |
WOW, Merlin!! what a great guy!! To be this supportive of your wifes venture- hats off to you and our "Cooked Husband" Tim. what great friends you are.
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Debby A. Tabb |
here is a example of 2-3 year old posing for what would be a naked shot
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Debby A. Tabb |
Good Morning, I recieved a email from someone and like Betsy they are running full steam into thier venture.They however are feeling a little discuraged. Guys this takes some time! Betsy had clients she was practiseing with and now is trying to fill her schedule. Please don't get discuraged because your books aren't full just because you open your doors- the easy part is putting it all together so you can shoot- the hard part is building a clientel to shoot-and one you'll keep. also, just because everything has balanced out in the camera room(lighting and such)doen't mean it's all together - now is the time to keep working on your posing and getting comfortable with children and posing your subjects with out touching them ,but with your voice alone. also work on framing. How did I move so quickly in studio work? I posed stuffed toys, family - practised my lighting on them. I built theames and praticed a shot sequience: full body, head shot , arm pose, change color a nother set add a theame. I practised until I was fast and moved about in a way that showed I was at ease. Ruben- he is sooo nice and sweet- he said a few times - you do this so easily? well I have at least 14+ years of studio work on him- it just takes some time.(almost 30+ years of camera work) I had to find my way-there were no computers(I here you out there,no laughing)lol, No BP,or digital-you learned by printing your mistakes and at that time the quickest you got a print was maybe 3 days-come on Kerry - where are ya ? you remember this? You have so many advantages, what you must have is patience. I do hope this helps,
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Kerry L. Walker |
I'm here, drinking straight out of the pot! Three days? It still takes me 10 days to get my proofs back from the lab!
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Debby A. Tabb |
LOL,LOL Maybe I need another cup-I can only remember back as far as the 80's this mornin' lol
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Kerry L. Walker |
I remember the 80's like they were yesterday - the 1980's that is. The 1880's are becoming a little faint. My memory just ain't what it used to be!
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Debby A. Tabb |
lol,lol you just need another pot of coffee.goofball,lol
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Tom Sheridan |
Debby, I think you have some great words there and I agree that anything you want to do well will take time. Although I am not trying to do this professionally (yet) it can get frustrating. Photography has always been something I enjoyed but in the past few years I have become more serious about it as an outlet. The one thing I can say is no one gets worse by practice...it may be slow but you will always have more "good shots" as you learn more and get more experience. I realized the other day while looking at some photos I took 2-3 years ago that my very good images were rare then and I had very little repeatability. With a few courses and many many practices I know see many more photos come out how I envisioned instead of the rare few. And I can't agree enough about the difference digital makes, I was very reluctant to switch from film to digital but when I did I got much better much faster because of the lower expense and immediate visibility. Anyway, I finally broke down and bought a flash meter so I will be practicing again tonight or tomorrow on some portrait work...expect to see some more of me soon.
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Betsy Labuschagne |
I’M BACK!!! Boy is this going to be a long post… Firstly, I’m really glad you started a new thread. I’m also honoured that you used my name Debby, although I think that EVERYBODY makes this thread special, even if it’s just a quick note to tell us how goofy we are! Liza, I loved your sand dune shots, you are so talented and creative! I am having a great response on my ‘Spring Promotion’ brochure. I think it’s because I mention prices (I’m going in relatively low), I mention the sizes and amount of prints that the people will get and I also say ‘Limited bookings available, please phone asap!’ Everyone that has phoned so far is expecting that I will be fully booked (I’m running it for August and September). I had a shoot on Wednesday night and scheduled another two this morning for next week, HOORAY! Liza mentioned a while ago that it might put people off to know that you’re working from home, but I find the opposite. In the week I only work in the evenings, (my older boy goes to chreche half day, and the youngest one is still at home), but most mommies in SA work and they love the idea that they can bring their babies after work. All my bookings so far have been for the evening. I’m actually glad that bookings are coming in slow, that way I can plan better for the shoot, it would be unnerving for me if I had to get really busy right now, I feel I still have too much to learn. So, I did my second shoot last night…. I think it went ok, the mommy loved her photos. I can’t wait until these first two years are past, I’m too overcritical and see to many mistakes in my photos, and some are mistakes that can only be fixed if I improve on my set-up….more shoots to earn money first, it’s really frustrating! In any case, I saw quite clearly last night that I definitely need another lens, soon! I’ve got too much backdrop on the top and bottom (full body, sitting shot) and I tried to crop closer and managed to cut his toes in just about every shot! I only saw your photos after the shoot, unfortunately Debby, but did recommend my angel and bath theme to the woman as well. I didn’t really pose him, I know, I must really look at that, but at least tried to keep him at an angle, it’s baby steps for me…She decided to go with the cowboy and farmer. The cowboy shots I wasn’t too happy with. I actually tried them with Ronan (my little one) the day before and thought they looked sweet, but he’s already 2 ½ and this baby was one. I think the other themes would look nicer; at least I had a one year old little boy in my studio now and will know for next time! It’s incredible how much you learn with every single shoot, so here I come with my few silly questions for the day… I am quite surprised that people let their children sleep in the car on the way to a shoot. It happened last night and when I did my first shoot. So, you wake up poor overtired baby, who is obviously then not in the best of moods, and then you’re supposed to get their best! I have noticed (especially last night) that babies are expected to smile, all the gums and two teeth showing, in every single shot. I don’t think that’s natural and must admit I have never much tried to get a smile out of my babies when I photograph them. I like the pensive, serious look as well, they look more intelligent and natural. So, my first question is: Do babies have to smile in every single shot? The mommy and granny was very helpful last night (I’m glad to see you don’t always have to make a fool of yourself alone), but then you battle to get eye direction. Which brings me to my second question, what to do if a baby is slightly squint? I’m posting some examples in the hope that someone might learn something; I could’ve really done a better job with my cropping! I wish I were rich so that I could give people free photos until I got better at this! Ok, I think we need to start a new thread again!
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Tom Sheridan |
Hi Betsy. Wow, you are critical of yourself...I think these are great. I think the smiling or no smiling thing is a personal preference. I know that we always preferred the natural shots of my daughter and found every photographer tried to get the big smile before taking every picture. Of course some smiling pictures are great but I was always more interested in the whole look. It looks like you did a great job getting the smiles though so I think you can give the customer what they want. I especially like the one where his head is framed by that nice round straw hat...
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Laura E. OConnor |
Betsy, WELCOME BACK! Sounds like things are picking up pace a little for you, but not so much you're losing your focus! Great work! I'm with Tom on this one. I think your photos are great. Smiles are great for some images, but not a requirement in my book. I like just capturing them interacting, with someone or a toy, or whatever. Capturing that look they have of amazement, enjoyment or deep love and affection for the mommy trying to get their attention is worth 1000 smiles in my book. Not sure if our resident Pro, Debby, will agree, but those are the shots I like to take. That said, I haven't even picked up my camera in a week! Everyone is really coming along here! Great shots by Tom and Liza recently, too! Love those sand dune shots, girl! Great movement and flow in those!
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Betsy Labuschagne |
Thanks for your kind comments Tom and Laura! I wouldn’t say I’m too critical Tom…I might have a bit of a perfectionist streak, I just believe that something is either right or wrong, and if it’s wrong you must fix it. Perhaps I am expecting a bit much of myself with my no training and little experience...I do think that I will improve quicker if I am honest with myself and can see my mistakes.
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Liza M. Franco |
Hey everyone. Betsy, good to see you back again. These shots are great. As I scrolled down I found myself, saying, "oh, that's the one what a great shot, oh no, that's the one," Each one was better than the one before, I couldn't decide which one was my favorite. You are on a roll. I know I mentioned moving all of my studio equipment back to the house and trying to do it all from here, I'm so undecided about this. I've come to the conclusion that if people like your work I don't think they'll care much about where you shoot. Before I thought that if I was in a storefront I would be taken more seriously. That idea may have worked if I had been in a place of my own. However, I have a studio set up in my husband's comic book shop. I don't think I can expect to be taken seriously in that atmosphere:) So I take my stuff back and forth for the time being depending on what kind of shoot it is. Thanks for the kind words from everyone here on the belly dancer/sand dune shots. I spoke with her today and she was thrilled when she pulled them up on my website. I think most of you have it, but if not this is it: I'm dying to show you guys photos from a bridal shot, but it has nothing to do with our original thread. I feel like if I post them on here it would be turning the thread into our own private forum, lol The thing is, I've really grown to value all of your opinions. Just curious, and don't no if I've missed this somewhere in the thread. How many of us here are self-taught photographers. I get asked this question a lot, people always want to know if I've gone to school, the answer is no, that's why I'm glued to my computer screen to learn from Debby's words of wisdom.
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Kerry L. Walker |
I am self-taught, and boy, did I have a lousy teacher! Seriously, the limited skills I have were gleaned from a lifetime of reading, listening to other photographers and looking at the work of others. I still try to learn something new almost every day. Since there is so much I don't know, that isn't hard to do.
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Tom Sheridan |
Betsy, if you post the photos I am sure we will all get something out of it and that's the point of this thread. I have learned a lot at BP from threads between other people. I have taken 1 course here at BP, otherwise I have learned from books, magazines, and practice. And of course discussions like this one.
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Laura E. OConnor |
DEFINITELY self-taught through reading books, web sites and what I've learned on BP! I'd love to see the bridal shots. Even if you put them in your gallery, if you'd rather, and point us to them!
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Tina Edwards |
I am also self taught, mainly learning from BP and lots of mistakes... LOL I have shot one wedding and it was a Wedding gift for my nephew. I would love to see your bridal shots Liza.
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Liza M. Franco |
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Liza M. Franco |
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