I want to purchase some “post” software. Should I jump in with CS3, or will Lightroom do the trick? Would love to hear your feedback.

You make a great point about distractions. I have been in situations where I was taking the photo and everyone starts looking at their friend with the camera on the side and suddenly I’ve lost eye contact. On the other hand, another photographer is just one distraction as there are usually many distractions for those being photographed as there are lots of folks around waiting to get their photo taken. Nevertheless, I did not argue with the photographer and totally respected his wishes. It was actually a blessing as it gave me freedom to roam at the cocktail hour where I was the only photographer.

Regarding the cost of the photos. He is free to charge what he wants and I imagine he knows his market. My tone probably came from viewing his photos, and I thought for the general quality the prices were too high, at least for the candids. I would liked to have seen tiered pricing for the formals vs the candids. The formals were really great and were his pieces of art and are worth every penny. I expect only close family members to be purchasing those. For the rest of us guests, especially tight fisted New Englanders, I think folks would think thrice before spending $6 for a candid snapshot. If his photos are selling well, more power to him.

–Michael

By the by, glad to hear the wedding worked out well. Sounds like you had some really good shots and a lot of fun. Look forward to your next podcast. Good job to all!!!

Tom

Regarding Gary Fong’s products… NICE! I own the Whale Tale Studio and I am soon to buy the Origami and the Light Sphere Universal. I used to shoot gigs with stands and umbrella’s but I am now confident enough to just travel with just a flash and my Whale Tale.

Just a quick comment to the issue of additional photographers during the “formals” session. Sure, there is a bit of a business model thing going on, but it also really is about distractions. You might think you’re being unobtrusive, but the fact is that once you point a lens at someone, even from a distance, there is a temptation for someone to look at it. No one wants to get pictures where one person’s eyes have wandered over to another photographer (nor does the main photographer want to have to waste time trying to fix an otherwise perfect shot in post for the same reason).

As you said at the beginning of your discussion, the very reason you urged them to hire a pro was because this was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Part of what goes along with that is the shooting of the formals and it deserves to be done right and distraction free, and to some extent, it also deserves to be just the pro’s “show,” so to speak.

That’s just my 2 cents.

– Robert

–Michael

Thanks

Jim, LR and CS3-ACR are both RAW converters which have essentially the same tools. You should be able to translate Scott’s CS3-ACR RAW conversion techniques to LR without a problem.

–Michael

Probably a dumb question, but I want to make sure I don’t miss anything I need to know.

Thanks,

Jim B

I can’t wait for the interview with Kelby…I must say I have been using Photoshop only 13 days as of today, and with that 7 Point System I am sharking! And to think…I never would have known who Scott Kelby was if it weren’t for this show.

Anyway…love you guys.

I spoke with a few assistants (as they seem to be more accommodating) and they mentioned that this was their artistic privilege. They are getting paid to create the poses and scenes, where they do not want distractions. These are their talent and uniqueness being exercised. Some of them not only restrict picture taking, but request that everyone but the party being shot to leave the immediate area. They do take note of people with DSLRs, as I think they feel that you may take the shot along the side of them and come out with a technical “my shot should be kept as it came out better”. This is not their mission and it may discount some of their effort. The professional’s mission is to apply their artistic uniqueness and make the shot. Not to be taken at a technical level where to start nick picking about having multiple photographers so that shots can be compared!…

As a backup (volunteer) photographer, I try to limit my DSLR shooting to the rehearsal where the professional is not in attendance. Unless I really feel the need, I try to limit my wedding ceremony shoots to a point and shoot (maybe high end). I found it to not draw too much attention from the pros. If you are going to shoot any part of the wedding (especially when using a DSLR), please talk to the attending professional and get their clearance. It is quite embarrassing to have them stop the shoot and direct their attention to you, with a request to remove yourself. Believe me, the wedding couple and family will most likely not intervene as they are paying good money for their service and are in a situation of being fully trusting of the photographer’s judgment. Ah, what power digital photography has given each of us and where it has really intruded (and threatened) the world of the working professional…

What David Jay was mentioning about not utilizing Photoshop too much, I too heard this from many of the wedding photographers too. Besides needing to fine tune the exposure and color, they try to make the shots as correct as possible when it is taken. This minimizes their post processing workflow and time is money. They can’t spend a whole lot of time nick picking several hundred shots, where technical perfect corrections would not be noticed by the client. I think they reserve this effort for a few formal shots…

It’s funny that David Jay did mention about the feature he loved most about the new Canon Mark IIIs was the minimum shutter speed / auto ISO. You mentioned this about a dozen episodes ago that you thought this was a cool feature that Nikon’s had for a while (remember Michael)! Well, I learned a lot from what you mentioned and I have found this to work really well with my Nikon D40. This is a must use feature under aperture priority mode…

Keep up the great podcast!…

I loved the alien invasion in the middle of the show. Made me laugh out loud! But I am glad that they brought you back for the rest of the show, Michael.

Thank you as well for sharing the photos and the learning experience of the wedding shoot. Looking forward to next week!

Blessings,
Holly

Thank you for sharing your experience with the Stowe Wedding. A funny store about the Gary Fong Difusser. Aaron had purchased it for me as a Christmas gift last year. I had no idea what it was when I opened it..I just smiled and said “thank you” and but the diffuser down…I had NO IDEA what it was – but I did not want to say anything at the time. A little later during the evening we were taking family pictures. I had my D70s and put my SB 800 on it to start shooting…Aaron said…why don’t you use your new diffuser? I said…what diffuser!!! The Gary Wong diffuser you just opened up 30 minutes ago…replied Aaron – a bit miffed! Ohhhhh…that’s what it is! Anyway…I highly recommend using the diffuer. I put it right on my SB800 and it makes a world of difference. I don’t use it too much out in public because people look at me funny..or assume I am a “professional” – which I am soooo not! I used the Gary Wong diffuser on the pictures that I took for my MPIX.com Canvas REview on my web site at http://thephotoenthusiast.com/archives/39

Your wedding pictures are brilliant. I love the colors – you not only captured the fall colors – but some great candids. I really enjoyed checking them out!

Cheers,
Laurel
The Photo Enthusiat
Queen of the Photo Contests!