You Had Me At Full-Frame Sensor…
August 30, 2007 | Filed Under Fun Stuff!, Wedding Photography | 1 Comment
Today’s lesson is about digital cameras.
Back in the fall of 2005, when I got my first dSLR, the Canon EOS 20D, I didn’t know anything about this sensor stuff. I thought they were all the same, and just like SLR cameras. I got my 50mm lens for Christmas 2005, a few weeks later I took a photo class at the junior college (not to learn about photography as much as to get to play in the darkroom and earn the art credit that I needed for a degree), and when shooting with a true SLR camera - you know, using film - I realized that the 50mm lens on that one produced images that were cropped completely different.
It was then that I learned about the crop factor (1:1.3) sensor that is found in the majority of digital SLR cameras out there on the market.
See, there is a sensor at the back of the camera, which acts as your film. Only thing is, it isn’t as large as piece of film, it is a cropped sensor - so you don’t get to use the full frame of what a 35mm frame of film would be. It is as if your camera has a bit of a zoom to it, built in. If you want to take a zoomed photo, this isn’t a bad thing really, and it is something you learn to work around if you’re even aware of it.
(In case you wondered, SLR stands for “Single Lens Reflex” if you wondered - the camera has a mirror, which allows you to see exactly what you’re going to photograph. You push the button, the mirror goes up, the sensor is exposed, the mirror goes down and you have a photograph.)
Canon introduced the 5D back in 2005, and it was among the first full frame sensor cameras to hit the market. (The first at a somewhat reasonable price, as the other Canons that included it were geared towards the $8000 market!) A lens on this camera functions just like a lens on a SLR. Nikon has just announced that they are releasing a full frame sensor camera at last, and it has the pro photographers buzzing. However, I have Canon lenses, and I’ve wanted this camera for a long, long time. With the most recent weddings that I have booked, my financial advisor (aka Mike) and I sat down and analyzed the business end of things and decided that it was time to do it. My 30D will now move to position of backup camera and hold the 10-22mm EF-S wide angle lens that I love, because the only downside to the EF-S system of lenses is that they don’t work on the 5D. (Yes, I knew this when I got the lens.) My 20D will now become my backup backup camera, and Jason can use it more freely without me stressing out about it. Mike could take it with him on business trips. The list goes on.
And, since it often comes up, I don’t think a photographer that is starting out needs a 5D. I don’t think a photographer that has been taking photographs for 20 years necessarily needs a 5D. The Canon Rebel XTi is an AWESOME camera, and one that I highly, highly recommend. The new Canon 40D will also be very great - like the 20D and 30D before it, it has different controls than the XTi, and probably a slightly heavier body and other features I’m not aware of, so if I was just moving into the dSLR market, those are the two cameras I would probably be looking at. I started out with the 20D because I purchased it used and got a very good price on it.
When it came to getting the 5D, we made the decision based on the fact that I need a camera that is great in low light situations like weddings and receptions (the 5D rocks, even in candlelight conditions) and because of the very nature of weddings - a once in a lifetime event. With clients trusting me and investing in me, I must invest in using the very best that I can use to capture those priceless memories for them. Equipment and workshops will continue to be a part of my business plan - it simply makes sense and helps me be the best that I can possibly be.
All that said, I do have to confess - the full frame sensor makes me a little bit giddy. I may have squealed when I opened the box from Amazon today, and nearly hugged the UPS man when he showed up with it.
Cross posted at Big Pink Cookie.
Spineybacked Orb Weaver, identified thanks to Elaine and Jeff, with a web across about 5 feet of my backyard. Photographed with the 30D early this morning - before UPS arrived.
Ella, The Birthday Girl!
August 26, 2007 | Filed Under Child Photography | Leave a Comment
Earlier this week, I was invited by the fabulous Katie and Adam to come over and spend time hanging out with them for Ella’s first birthday. Just look at that cutie! How could I resist? I’ve actually wanted to get Ella in front of my lens since this past spring when I first met her - so there was no way I was passing the chance up!
She was happy and bubbly when I first arrived at her house - I always say that people are most comfortable being photographed in their favorite places. However, the light & I weren’t getting along there very well, so I suggested going out to the park. She went into serious Ella mode - but I promise she was all smiles before this!
Last Friday I got to finally meet Mary, also known as Ella’s Happy Buela. Mary & I have exchanged emails for months now, ever since she started listening to the Pointy Sticks podcast. We never got to meet up though until now - and I am so glad we got to meet! She was finishing up Ella’s new birthday dress that she made, and she brought it up to Twisted Yarns so she could ask questions about it. It was such a joy having her join us in the Friday knitting circle! And Ella’s dress was so cute! She wore the dress for part of her birthday, and we got photos of her in it too.
I hope to get to spend more time with Ella in the future - she has such a great spirit and joy!
Site Updates, Coming Soon!
August 22, 2007 | Filed Under Administrative | Leave a Comment
Oh goodness, I just realized that between launching the website and then going on vacation, I still have a ton of other images to add to the galleries! Sort of like the shoemaker’s children never having shoes, I haven’t had time to edit my own personal photos it seems. I’ll be adding lots of photos and even a slideshow or two over the next week or so - so check back for more goodies!
Right along with website additions, I’m making some other additions too - I will have new album samples coming in over the next few weeks, and I just received my first batch of metallic prints and they blew me away! Elaine & I are discussing adding them as an option on to the prints we offer at Fresh Photography too. They are just incredible!
Elaine & I have also been busy with shoots lately for BarStool magazine, and as soon as the September issue hits the streets, I’ll be posting images here too. So many good things to come!
Two Be Wed Open Studio!
August 21, 2007 | Filed Under Wedding Photography | Leave a Comment
Wedding planning in Houston? Know someone who is? Pass along an invitation to Two Be Wed’s Open Studio! Wednesday, August 22nd from 6-8pm, come in and check out Two Be Wed in person and get to meet some of Houston’s hottest vendors in a nice, casual setting! (I’ll be there!) 2303 Dunlavy, between Westheimer & West Gray!
While I was at the studio hanging my prints, I took a moment to capture some photos to share so you can see why I’m *so* excited about meeting with my clients there! It is exactly what I was looking for in a meeting space, and it offers so much more to my couples!
They had me at the front door. I just LOVE these! The lounge is a nice, comfy area for couples to relax and enjoy looking through the extensive library of information that Two Be Wed offers to all of their clients. Browse through books for inspiration ideas for flowers, wedding colors, attire and more!
I am especially excited about this - a viewing area with a great TV and DVD player. I have DVD slideshows in the works to share on the big screen TV!
And last but not least - my photo display!
We need to adjust the lighting some, but the lights were too hot to move at the time that I took these!
Hope you can make the Open Studio - I would *love* to see you there!
Two Be Wed - Houston!
August 15, 2007 | Filed Under Wedding Photography | Leave a Comment
Taken on our first day of vacation, in Amsterdam. We enjoyed our time in The Holland ™!
I can finally spill the beans, as I’m heading down there today to get everything ready. I was contacted by the Houston location of Two Be Wed back in July to meet with them, and after reviewing my work and the services that I offer, I am pleased to announce that I was selected to partner with them to offer my services to their clientele!
Two Be Wed is a great concept for brides - I wish it had been around when I was planning! What it is is a lovely location on 2303 Dunlavy that brides can visit for all of their planning needs. They personal hand-select a limited number of vendors in each category, and brides can go to Two Be Wed, select which vendors they would like to meet with, and set up all their appointments in one day in one location. (Or however they see fit to work it out.) Two Be Wed offers a library of bridal resources, a nice meeting area, classes for brides & grooms, and a bunch of other services.
As an added perk, I can meet with all of my clients there as needed - so no more lugging everything to coffee shops. Instead I will be hanging prints on the walls today, and I’ll keep albums there to share, CDs of photographs to play on the TVs, and so forth.
I’ve never wanted a studio - I am *not* a studio style photographer. However, I’ve told Mike ever since I attended Elevate in June that a location to meet with brides someday would be ideal. When this opportunity came up, we both knew it was a great fit. I decided to wait until after our vacation to get everything set up - there just wasn’t time before we left. I’m so excited about it! I’ll share more photos later today of the location; they called on Monday and asked me to photograph their new table arrangements that they have on display.
So spread the word to all the Houston area brides you know, and if you are a Houston area bride planning a wedding, and you need a wedding photographer - lets meet up at Two Be Wed!
Is it August Already?
August 12, 2007 | Filed Under Wedding Photography | Leave a Comment
Not just August, but we’re almost at the half-way point into the month! Goodness, where has the time gone? (Ok, being out of town until the 7th probably accounts for a lot of it!) Speaking of vacation, I still have a lot of photos to go through. Well over a thousand, I am sure, although I haven’t counted them yet. I’ll share more of them here once they are ready.
Elaine & I had a delightful meeting yesterday with Mauro & Mariely, one of our November 2007 wedding couples. They will be tying the knot at the end of the month, the day after Thanksgiving. It is neat how the internet works somedays; I updated my contact information at LinkedIn and then went to look for people that I had worked with previously in the web world. Because I updated my previous employer information, and Mauro & I worked together back in 2000 & 2001, he found my profile page - right as they were looking for a wedding photographer! He was one of my favorite graphic designers at work, such a nice guy, and Mariely is just too cute and has a great sense of humor - I know it is going to be such a fun day! I can’t wait! We’re holding out for a little bit cooler weather though for their engagement photographs, since we would melt if we went out right now in this 100+ degree heat. Our lab is speedy fast, so we have such a great turn-around time on prints that it makes it easy to shoot much closer to the wedding day and still have photographs if they want them for various items - signature mats at the reception, custom thank you notes, or whatever they might need.
In other news, I am making plans for attending the Rock Star Wedding Photographer workshop at the end of October with Corey McNabb, recognized by the top in the industry as one of the best out there. I first heard about Corey when I roomed with Regina Holder at the Elevate workshop back in June. She & Corey are in the same area and are really close friends. As an added perk, I’m going to shoot a wedding with Regina the day before the workshop begins, which is sure to be a ton of fun! North Carolina in the fall is an amazing place to be, so I can’t wait! Hmmm… guess I need to get knitting so I’m ready for the cooler weather!
I’m gearing up now for a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT that I’ll have on Wednesday! I may have been off on holiday for awhile there, but things definitely have been going on behind the scenes! Stay tuned for the details!
