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 © - Katarina Mansson
Welcome to the 451st issue of SnapShot!
Hello,
This holiday season has been filled with excitement at BetterPhoto. First off, our ClassTracks program is returning for 2010 - a great opportunity to master photography over the course of one full year! Check out the ClassTrack details here... ...
Also, signups for our January online photo courses are well under way, and our schedule is shaping up to be our very best ever. Check out our 8-week class listings and 4-week school schedule. ... In addition, if you'd like to gain the mindset of the successful creative photographer as you grow in confidence, then Jim Miotke's Destroying Fear by Getting Clear weekend workshop is the perfect solution. Note the special December offer for this motivating workshop! ... In this issue of SnapShot, don't miss the terrific contributions of two top BetterPhoto instructors: Rob Sheppard (on exposing for snow) and Deborah Sandidge (on creating Photoshop art). ... That's it for now. Enjoy the holidays, and keep your camera close at hand to capture all of the special memories of family and friends!
Kerry Drager
Newsletter Editor
Where is Jim Miotke? Follow BetterPhoto's founder and president on Twitter: BetterPhotoJim
Jim Miotke
Where Is Jim?
Updates From BetterPhoto
Join the fast track to success! Our ClassTracks program provides motivation to master new skills and accomplish goal setting with a proven year-long course study. Learn the details here...
Join BetterPhoto founder Jim Miotke in his 2-day in-person weekend workshop - "Destroying Fear by Getting Clear" - and gain the confidence and the competitive edge you deserve today! Read the details here...
Treat yourself to an easy gift-buying experience, while also giving your favorite photographer something really special! Get a BetterPhoto Gift Card - good for an online course, Deluxe or Pro website, etc.
Photo Q&A
1: Group Photo Shoot
I'm photographing an anniversary party. There will be a group of about 25 people inside a church on the pulpit steps. I have 2 580EX flashes with bounce diffusers. I also have a ST-E2. Should I use both flashes on a light stand, at 45 degree angles, with the difusers, or should I just use one of the 580EX's with a flash bracket and hotshoe?
- Pamela Barrett
ANSWER 1:
Hi Pam,
I would use them both on stands and spread them out to get enough light on 25 people. Use enough DOF to get all the faces in focus.
One light source stands a real chance of creating shadows on some of the faces but with 2 you can hit your subjects from an another angle.
I love the STE2 - works great :)
Good luck Pam and have a fun shoot.
- Carlton Ward
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2: Software for Editing and Cloning
I was wondering which is the best program for editing pictures,that includes cloning.
- Chastity a. Hoff
ANSWER 1:
Photoshop
- Elida Gutierrez
ANSWER 2:
Chastity: Best ... yeah, Photoshop CS4 but it's over $800. Frankly, I think you would be very, very happy with Photoshop Elements 7 at about $100. And sure, it has cloning and lots of other features.
Cheers! Peter www.peterkburian.com
- Peter K. Burian
See Peter Burian's Basic BetterPholio™:
http://www.betterphoto.com/mg.asp?id=69365
Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Peter Burian:
4-Week Short Course: Mastering the Canon EOS Digital Rebels
Mastering the Digital Camera and Photography
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3: Pricing for Student Photos
I take photographs of my young students and give a 5" x 7" print to the parents for free. When they ask for extra copies, I would like to charge them, to help pay for ink and paper. But I don't know what a reasonable fee is. Any suggestions for pricing portraits?
- Susan McCloskey
ANSWER 1:
It all depends on your quality of pictures. My prices are: # 4X6 $ 2.00 (25 o more)
# 4x6 $ 3.00 (5 to 24)
# 4x6 $ 5.00 (1 to 4)
# 4 wallets $ 5.00
# 5X7 $ 8.00
# 8x10 $15
# 11x14 $20
# 16x20 $35 But this is my job; maybe you can customize your prices.
ANSWER 2:
Thank you. That was a big help. Do you charge for taking the portraits or just printing?
- Susan McCloskey
ANSWER 3:
Elida's prices are right on, according to my prices as well. As far as charging for taking the portraits, I only charge a "sitting fee" if it is an actual session that the parents set up. If I am taking them for my own benefit and then selling them later as people want them - as it sounds like you are - then I wouldn't charge for taking them.
- Clayton T. Williams
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