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Photography Question 

Piper Lehman
 

Christmas Gift for a Canon User...


Hello all. My sister-in-law shoots with a Canon Rebel G and two zoom lenses. She wants to be a portrait photographer, so last year I gave her some nice books on the portrait photo business. This year I'd like to get her something more "hands on" to use. Any suggestions? I think she already has a flash. She definitely has a tripod and a couple of filters, a camera bag, and most of the essentials for general shooting. I wanted to find something specific to portrait shooting without spending over US$100. Any ideas?


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December 10, 2002

 

Jeff S. Kennedy
  Check out Photoflex reflectors.


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December 10, 2002

 

Judith A. Clark
  You might also try a background stand. I got one yesterday for my stepdaughter. $99.99 for a savage port-a-stand. This is the first piece of equipment I bought for myself after the camera. She can start out with king size flat sheets as backgrounds, and then add later.


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December 11, 2002

 

Piper Lehman
  Thanks guys. Great ideas. I was thinking about something in the background department. The question is, will she know what it is when she opens it?! :)


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December 11, 2002

 

Piper Lehman
  Okay, here's another question. What color seamless background paper should I get her? She wants to do B&W childrens' portraits, so should I get black or white? On the one hand, she could always use a white bedsheet like you said, Judith, so I should get black paper since it's hard to find anything around the house that's black and big enough (that is, unless you're Elvis and have black velvet hanging everywhere...)LOL

Would a studio portrait photog ever set up the background and stand outdoors to make use of daylight? Or should I concentrate on totally different outdoor portrait equipment such as Jeff K suggested (reflectors)? I don't think she'd use a reflector unless it was one of those California 'Sun-something, mongo expensive' self-standing jobs. She doesn't have studio lighting either, and even if she did, she wouldn't know how to use it right off. Anymore suggestions for my ADHD sister-in-law who wants to BE a portrait photographer, but doesn't really want to take advice and learn HOW to do it right? I want to give her something she will want to play with right out of the box.


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December 11, 2002

 

Judith A. Clark
  I don't know if she is going to know what a background stand is looking at the box. I have never used mine outside, but I suppose you could. Black and whites of children look better against a white background in my oppion, but black is very versitile. I use sheets for both of these. Paper just dosn't stand up to children well and with sheets you can buy two and put one on the floor. She may very well get a lot of use out of a reflecter if she has no studio lights, but it takes a while to learn how to use. I'm pretty much a self taught portrait photographer, you might be suprised by how much she figures out on her own. You could also go with props, like a children white wicker table and chairs (just in case any one who knows me was wondering about my christmas list).


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December 11, 2002

 

Victoria
  I'm wanting to buy an inexpensive backdrop stand too. I want one that will hold my own homemade muslin and fabric backdrops. Does anyone have any good links for backdrop stands?
Thanks in advance!


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December 11, 2002

 

Judith A. Clark
  Victoria, www.backdropoutlet, just off the top of my head. You might want to do a search for best price, because they can be a little pricy on-line. If you have a large camera store in your area try there first, I found them much cheaper that way.


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December 12, 2002

 

Judith A. Clark
  Piper and Victoria, I did a quick search for you I found A site with decent prices on Savage background stands www.iconusa.com/online/Port-A-Stand.htm. The stand I have is $107.00 on this site. It probably dosn't open wide enough for large groups, but has served me very well.


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December 12, 2002

 

Ed Johnson
  Victoria, I just bought this set up and I love it ton's. It works so smooth and strong to.
Go to ebay and look for this:

Pro Heavy Duty Backdrop System + Case **NEW**
Item # 1944585296

Good luck.

EDJ


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December 12, 2002

 

Piper Lehman
  Adorama and B&H both have that smaller Savage Port-a-stand and seamless (white) paper kit for about $130 after shipping. The seamless paper is not expensive, but shipping it is! It costs about $36 to ship, so it comes out cheaper to buy the "kit" instead of the stand and paper separately.


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December 12, 2002

 

David Clark
  If she has already indicated an interest in outdoor photography, then backdrops may not be the best answer. One of the best reasons for shooting outdoors is natural scenic backdrops. For outdoors, a diffuser will come in handy to soften sunlight. Regarding backdrops, paper backdrops are awkward (9 - 12 ft tubes). Curtains work well with the Savage Port-A-Stand.


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December 13, 2002

 

Victoria
  Thanks Judith and everyone for your help. :o)
Happy Holidays to all.


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December 14, 2002

 

Michael C. Bryant
  You sound like a great brother. Your sister is lucky. I have found eBay to have a lot of equipment including background stands, lights, and backgrounds. J and K Group, http://www.stores.ebay.com/id=5697114, is an eBay store and has quality photographic equipment. You can also try user name, larryde, http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=larryde&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=25, he has equipment also. I've bought from both of these sites and have never had a problem with the equipment and been very satisfied (and the price was right too). Hope this helps.


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December 25, 2002

 

Piper Lehman
  Just thought I'd update everyone on the 'gift for a Canon user' problem. I ended up giving my SIL my old Smith-Victor 3-light beginner studio lighting set up I used about twice for still set ups. I had to order a couple of parts that didn't come when I ordered it a year ago, and a new light bulb for one of the lights, but she was really excited. Knowing her like I do, I'm guessing she thinks this is the answer to perfect portraits. I hope she works at it and learns how to use it right.

Here's the irony for the season: guess who got the Savage Port-a-Stand for Christmas? That's right...Moi! Now I have no lights to use with my new background set up! HA! Actually, I'm planning on using natural lighting out in my jury-rigged studio out in the garage. I also got a new set of reflectors--the 5-in-1 job from SP Studio Systems--really nice and BIG!, and a new 8-10 Gepe light box. My stocking was stuffed with rolls of "Velveeta" (velvia) and a new 10x loupe. So, I had an excellent Christmas. Sidebar: my SIL gave me a sack of Kodak consumer films (yuck!). Anyone want to trade me for some Provia? :)

Just kidding. Hope everyone got the photo stuff they wanted for Christmas/Hannakah, etc. Happy Holidays!


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December 26, 2002

 
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