.
I first saw jill-e camera bags a year or so ago. I thought they were "cute," maybe even a little too much so for my taste. I've been using the same two Domke bags for over 10 years and they're still as tough and rugged as the day I bought them. The only complaint I have about my Domke bags is that, when full of gear, they are very difficult for me to travel with (especially on planes). I refuse to check gear and always carry it on board with me. Only problem is: the weight. With two camera bodies, a battery grip, 2 flashes, huge battery pack for Trio flash, cords, 4-5 lenses (including the very heavy 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII), plus other odds and ends, my shoulders are screaming in pain by the time I get through security and plant myself on the plane. I considered finding a collapsible rolling thing-a-ma-bob for my Domkes, but then thought, "Eh, it's been over a decade since I bought a new bag. And I deserve a new bag!"
So, remembering the jill-e bags, I perused the website and didn't find anything I liked, until I clicked on the "Jack" bags. The Jack large rolling bag is good-looking and roomy enough to fit all my necessary gear (plus laptop).
My bag arrived today from B&H (where you'll find much better pricing than on the jill-e website). I got the brown leather and it's quite a good-looking bag. I loaded my gear, extended the handle and rolled it around the room. Ahhhhh. My shoulders are happy already! Had I been able to see the bag in person, I would've gone with the extra large (in order to fit in some rolled-up clothes along with my gear for ease of travel on short trips), but will make due with the large.
The true test will be how well it travels. I'm headed to Portland, OR in a couple weeks for a very fun-filled photography event. I'll let you know my thoughts on the bag after the trip!
Miller&Miller Photography
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tip - How to Get Your Young Child to Pause for a Photo
.
Instructions below:
Miller&Miller Photography
Instructions below:
Okay, so I'm saying that in a very tongue-in-cheek way. But we've all experienced those trying moments when we really need to get a shot of a young child and they seem set on turning their backs on you, or picking thier noses, or crossing their eyes. While I don't recommend candy in every situation (and if it's not your child, definitely check with mom or dad first), it can certainly hold a lot of persuasive power. Another way to go is strapping a toy on top of your lens or bringing a "prize" (or a treasure chest of prizes) for the child to choose from once you've gotten your shots.
Miller&Miller Photography
Monday, January 18, 2010
Tip for Photographers - Dual Action White Balance and Cleaning Cloth
I know the popular item for white balance these days is the calibration target (which also tells you if you're clipping hilights or losing shadow detail), but I haven't bought into that, my in-camera histogram and "blinky alert" being sufficient. I know myself well enough to know I would never pull it out and use it. For what they are, they're a bit pricey, so it would just be a waste of money for me. I also have a cheap 18% gray card I bought back in oh, probably 1999 that I have pulled out to set a custom white balance all of probably 8 times in the 11 years I've owned it. It really is a handy tool, I just don't have huge issues with white balance typically, so....
But if you're considering a calibration target or an 18% gray card for white balance, you might want to consider this handy item:
http://www.adorama.com/CPCEG.html
It's a lens cleaning cloth (which we should have in our bags at all times, anyway) that happens to be 18% gray, so you can use it to set a custom white balance, too! Handy, no? And at only $5.95, a real steal!
Miller&Miller Photography
But if you're considering a calibration target or an 18% gray card for white balance, you might want to consider this handy item:
http://www.adorama.com/CPCEG.html
It's a lens cleaning cloth (which we should have in our bags at all times, anyway) that happens to be 18% gray, so you can use it to set a custom white balance, too! Handy, no? And at only $5.95, a real steal!
Miller&Miller Photography
Monday, July 6, 2009
Wedding Photography in Arizona - The Lost Files
.
Okay, they weren't really "lost;" they just weren't included in any original posts from Rachelle's bridal session. Here are a few "bonus" pics from this fun session!
Rachelle's bridals were actually taken about a year and a half after her wedding. It turns out the photographer hired to shoot the wedding didn't do such a good job. This breaks my heart! They didn't have any photos of the wedding that they loved, no album to sit and look through while feeling the emotions of the day all over again. So, Rachelle put her dress on one more time and we got some bridals portraits that she loves!
Brides, engaged couples, choose carefully whom you hire to captures the precious moments of your wedding day. Make sure they have back-up equipment in case of camera or other equipment failure. At Miller&Miller, we have carefully invested in the finest professional equipment to capture your special moments. Our back-up equipment is of the same caliber as our main. We have invested in only the best...you deserve it!
Look at the beautiful detail on the mini-jacket Rachelle's wearing. Her mother made this! Amazing talent!
Okay, they weren't really "lost;" they just weren't included in any original posts from Rachelle's bridal session. Here are a few "bonus" pics from this fun session!
Rachelle's bridals were actually taken about a year and a half after her wedding. It turns out the photographer hired to shoot the wedding didn't do such a good job. This breaks my heart! They didn't have any photos of the wedding that they loved, no album to sit and look through while feeling the emotions of the day all over again. So, Rachelle put her dress on one more time and we got some bridals portraits that she loves!
Brides, engaged couples, choose carefully whom you hire to captures the precious moments of your wedding day. Make sure they have back-up equipment in case of camera or other equipment failure. At Miller&Miller, we have carefully invested in the finest professional equipment to capture your special moments. Our back-up equipment is of the same caliber as our main. We have invested in only the best...you deserve it!
Look at the beautiful detail on the mini-jacket Rachelle's wearing. Her mother made this! Amazing talent!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Tip - Weather, Storms and Your Camera
Here's a tip for all you photog fans who are enjoying the clouds and storms that are rolling in with Monsoon Season. We all crave the dramatic light that comes with storms, but we don't want to be caught with our cameras out in the middle of a monsoon! To protect your camera from sudden downpours or dust storms or any other weather related weirdness that blows in, just carry a large zip lock bag with you. Keep it in your pocket. If any nastiness rolls in, just slip the bag over your camera and lens then high-tail it out of there!
Speaking of the nice light that comes with the season, here's a pic of my little guy taken yesterday under a mix of white fluffy clouds and gray storm clouds. It produced nice, soft shadows and pleasing tones. Yay for Monsoon Season!
Want portraits done in this fun light? Email us!
Miller&Miller Photography
Speaking of the nice light that comes with the season, here's a pic of my little guy taken yesterday under a mix of white fluffy clouds and gray storm clouds. It produced nice, soft shadows and pleasing tones. Yay for Monsoon Season!
Want portraits done in this fun light? Email us!
Miller&Miller Photography
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Tip - Before Being Photographed
If you are planning to have photos taken, be sure to wait 10 days to two weeks after having your hair cut. Freshly cut hair can sometimes look unnatural. Giving a new cut a couple weeks to relax back into shape will make for a more natural portrait.
Monday, May 18, 2009
A Word on Copyright and Files on Disc
This post is for both the aspiring professional and the consumer, since I get the question occasionally from both.
Clients sometimes inquire whether they get a copy of their print-ready photographs on CD. I'm not sure when this became expected or customary. It truly baffles me. Some photographers give them away at no charge (they probably have no overhead and don't *need* to make money to feed their kids; they may be more of an amateur or hobbyist). Others allow you to purchase a CD of your photos after you have made a print order of a particular amount, say $500. Others still will absolutely not sell their digital files at all. You would certainly not expect a disc of your digital files if you went to Wal-Mart or Sears or Olan Mills or any other studio, right?
Understand that when a consumer pays a sitting fee of $100, $150, $250, $500 or whatever the case may be, that pays for: the photographer's hourly pay; a fraction of the cost of the equipment used to capture, edit and store the images (camera, lenses, lights, reflectors, computer, hard drives, software programs, association and license fees) and whatever additional expenses the photographer may have to keep their business running (and there are many such expenses). You normally wouldn't pay a sitting fee (or would pay a smaller one) at chain store studios; their stores can absorb the cost of equipment and running the studio.
If a photographer charged $150 for a sitting fee, spent an hour of his/her time taking the photographs and several more hours carefully editing them, only to give the files away for free so the client can go print off as many as he/she wants, leaving the photographer with no further profit from print orders, you would find a photographer who is quickly out of business. Or, one who doesn't *have* to work or have kids to feed, or uses only non-professional equipment. You get what you pay for, right?
Consumers, remember: You will enjoy your portraits for the rest of your life, while the photographer typically only earns money from it just once.
Aspiring photographers, remember: that camera (and other equipment) won't last forever; you WILL be replacing them at some point. Put some money in the bank for that day!
So, if you're in the market for photography, decide what you want. If you don't want or need high-quality custom work that will last a lifetime, then you might be happy with a standard photo from a department store studio. If you want something that's high-quality, custom, and unique, then you may be more happy investing in an independent photographer.
For those of you starting or interested in starting a business: Your time and work are valuable! Outside of charity work, don't give it away! If you do, you will surely go under before you have a chance to get started. Everyone wants something for free, and you will be tempted to give it, but that could well be the death of your business. If you have invested thousands of dollars in professional-grade equipment and provide high-quality work, don't be afraid to make enough money to survive and grow on!
As a member of several professional photograhers' organizations, I read articles and discussions continually about how "shoot and burn" "photographers" are damaging the photography industry. And of course, I see it all around me. It is heartbreaking. The industry may have to make some changes to compensate for such practices; I can't begin to guess where that will go.
Tip: The industry standard (from the Professional Photographers of America) recommends an average of $150 for a sitting fee with one 8x10.
For more tips on starting a photography business, click here.
So, that said, where do I stand on the issue of copyright and selling digital files? I do sell them, after the sitting fee, for the following amounts:
one image: $350
2-5: $500
6-10: $750
10-20: $1,000
over 20: $1,500
Once you purchase your files, you own the copyright which means you can print as many as you want at whatever size you want. Once you purchase them, I MAY NO LONGER STORE THEM ON MY HARDDRIVE so be sure to protect them and back them up! The only right I keep after you purchase them is the right of photo credit. For example, if you entered one of the photos in a contest and it won, it should say, "photo by sandi miller."
Do I turn in people who unlawfully duplicate my photographs? Yes, I do. Please don't duplicate copyrighted photographs (and ALL photographs are automatically copyrighted; it does not have to state that), either mine or any other photographer's! It causes more damage than you think. Thanks!
http://mypicturesofyou.com/
Clients sometimes inquire whether they get a copy of their print-ready photographs on CD. I'm not sure when this became expected or customary. It truly baffles me. Some photographers give them away at no charge (they probably have no overhead and don't *need* to make money to feed their kids; they may be more of an amateur or hobbyist). Others allow you to purchase a CD of your photos after you have made a print order of a particular amount, say $500. Others still will absolutely not sell their digital files at all. You would certainly not expect a disc of your digital files if you went to Wal-Mart or Sears or Olan Mills or any other studio, right?
Understand that when a consumer pays a sitting fee of $100, $150, $250, $500 or whatever the case may be, that pays for: the photographer's hourly pay; a fraction of the cost of the equipment used to capture, edit and store the images (camera, lenses, lights, reflectors, computer, hard drives, software programs, association and license fees) and whatever additional expenses the photographer may have to keep their business running (and there are many such expenses). You normally wouldn't pay a sitting fee (or would pay a smaller one) at chain store studios; their stores can absorb the cost of equipment and running the studio.
If a photographer charged $150 for a sitting fee, spent an hour of his/her time taking the photographs and several more hours carefully editing them, only to give the files away for free so the client can go print off as many as he/she wants, leaving the photographer with no further profit from print orders, you would find a photographer who is quickly out of business. Or, one who doesn't *have* to work or have kids to feed, or uses only non-professional equipment. You get what you pay for, right?
Consumers, remember: You will enjoy your portraits for the rest of your life, while the photographer typically only earns money from it just once.
Aspiring photographers, remember: that camera (and other equipment) won't last forever; you WILL be replacing them at some point. Put some money in the bank for that day!
So, if you're in the market for photography, decide what you want. If you don't want or need high-quality custom work that will last a lifetime, then you might be happy with a standard photo from a department store studio. If you want something that's high-quality, custom, and unique, then you may be more happy investing in an independent photographer.
For those of you starting or interested in starting a business: Your time and work are valuable! Outside of charity work, don't give it away! If you do, you will surely go under before you have a chance to get started. Everyone wants something for free, and you will be tempted to give it, but that could well be the death of your business. If you have invested thousands of dollars in professional-grade equipment and provide high-quality work, don't be afraid to make enough money to survive and grow on!
As a member of several professional photograhers' organizations, I read articles and discussions continually about how "shoot and burn" "photographers" are damaging the photography industry. And of course, I see it all around me. It is heartbreaking. The industry may have to make some changes to compensate for such practices; I can't begin to guess where that will go.
Tip: The industry standard (from the Professional Photographers of America) recommends an average of $150 for a sitting fee with one 8x10.
For more tips on starting a photography business, click here.
So, that said, where do I stand on the issue of copyright and selling digital files? I do sell them, after the sitting fee, for the following amounts:
one image: $350
2-5: $500
6-10: $750
10-20: $1,000
over 20: $1,500
Once you purchase your files, you own the copyright which means you can print as many as you want at whatever size you want. Once you purchase them, I MAY NO LONGER STORE THEM ON MY HARDDRIVE so be sure to protect them and back them up! The only right I keep after you purchase them is the right of photo credit. For example, if you entered one of the photos in a contest and it won, it should say, "photo by sandi miller."
Do I turn in people who unlawfully duplicate my photographs? Yes, I do. Please don't duplicate copyrighted photographs (and ALL photographs are automatically copyrighted; it does not have to state that), either mine or any other photographer's! It causes more damage than you think. Thanks!
http://mypicturesofyou.com/
Thursday, May 14, 2009
New! Payment Plan Available
I don't know too many people who haven't been at least slightly inconvenienced by this horrid economy. Many have been hit hard.
But, life goes on. Our children grow, our families change, people get married. We still need pictures to commemorate the special times--the happy moments that still happen despite the state of the economy.
That's why we've decided to start payment plan agreements with our clients who want beautiful portraits but can't afford the cost up front. Contact us for more information.
But, life goes on. Our children grow, our families change, people get married. We still need pictures to commemorate the special times--the happy moments that still happen despite the state of the economy.
That's why we've decided to start payment plan agreements with our clients who want beautiful portraits but can't afford the cost up front. Contact us for more information.
HOT PICK: Hi-Def Make-up for Photo Shoots
Cool!
I was going overboard at Sephora last night when I stopped to investigate a new (to me) line of make up called Make Up For Ever. A salesy approached me and recommended their mascara (I bought it, along with an eyeshadow) and pointed out the HD make up. (There is HD and even "blu-ray" make-up available in other brands.)
WOW. Make up made specifically to look great in front of the camera.
I'm liking this.
If you're planning a fashion shoot or heck, even for bridals...or for anything at all, and want to be adventurous, why not try this line? Their products look amazing. I'll let you know what I think of the mascara! I might just go back and try the foundation, etc.
If you try them, let me know and maybe we can do a few test shots! If you're REALLY DARING...they have fake blood and some cool, insane eyelashes. Vamp or Goth session, anyone?
Check out their website...it's cool just to browse! http://www.makeupforever.com/
Update: I've been using Make Up For Ever's "Smokey" mascara and LOVE it. It's dark, dramatic, and makes my lashes LONG and LUSH but not tacky. It stays on all day with no flaking or smudging, and washes off easily with just water! This is definitely my new favorite mascara!
I was going overboard at Sephora last night when I stopped to investigate a new (to me) line of make up called Make Up For Ever. A salesy approached me and recommended their mascara (I bought it, along with an eyeshadow) and pointed out the HD make up. (There is HD and even "blu-ray" make-up available in other brands.)
WOW. Make up made specifically to look great in front of the camera.
I'm liking this.
If you're planning a fashion shoot or heck, even for bridals...or for anything at all, and want to be adventurous, why not try this line? Their products look amazing. I'll let you know what I think of the mascara! I might just go back and try the foundation, etc.
If you try them, let me know and maybe we can do a few test shots! If you're REALLY DARING...they have fake blood and some cool, insane eyelashes. Vamp or Goth session, anyone?
Check out their website...it's cool just to browse! http://www.makeupforever.com/
Update: I've been using Make Up For Ever's "Smokey" mascara and LOVE it. It's dark, dramatic, and makes my lashes LONG and LUSH but not tacky. It stays on all day with no flaking or smudging, and washes off easily with just water! This is definitely my new favorite mascara!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wedding Photography in Arizona
June seems to be the popular month for weddings from coast to coast. Back in Virginia (where I'm from), June weddings were certainly the standard, and for good reason: gorgeous flowers and flowering trees beautified the scenery and provided gorgeous backgrounds. The weather was perfect, Spring's wind and chill long forgotten and since replaced by warm sunshine and low humidity.
.
June in Arizona is HOT. And sweaty. And did I mention HOT? Even so, it's still a popular month for weddings. Be sure to have some rice paper on hand to blot away any excess shine from the face during your photo shoot. Rice paper blotters are conveniently sold where make-up is. Very handy!
And remember: Stay Hydrated! It will make your skin gorgeous for your photos!
Monday, April 27, 2009
It's Polite to Ask....
I was out shooting a model and training a future photographer and we happened upon this interesting gentleman sitting on a bench having a smoke. I looked at him and thought "Now that's a face that tells a story." (Not to mention his intriguing fingernails). So, I struck up a little casual conversation with the man and then asked him if I could take his picture. He consented...and this is him:
If you happen upon an interesting subject, remember: it's polite to ask before shooting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
