hello all, i just got my first paid gig for a restaurant down town for their 4th of july celebration. it's a pretty big deal as they're are going to be tons of rich people all over. i have no idea how i got myself into this...lol! those of you that are familiar with my work will note that i've never really taken people shots and that's part of this job's requirements. first question; will the built in flash of the D70 be enough? it'll have to be as it's all i got and don't have the money to get one. what settings should i use? i've never used the flash, or i should say i rarely if at all use it. how much should i charge? it's going to be on a per picture basis, i kind of froze when dude asked how much i'd charge. i didn't want to say a dollar ammount for the night for the simple fact that if none of the shots turn out then what... they're going to be used for their website as a promotional type thing. then if anyone wants prints how much is a good price? to get prints done it usually costs me about 10 bucks plus shipping of a dollar or so.. and lastly, i'm not really a people person so i'm freaking out since there's going to be close to 1000 people there. how should i approach them? i'll have unrestricted acess to the ship and the guy wants shots of a crowded deck with the band playing and all that jazz. since i'm there for the company do i need to ask before snapping pics off? sorry this is such a long message but i figured this would be the best place to ask.. again, i'm totally beside myself, pacing the back and forth and all... totally wiggin out!!! any tips, advice, assistance would be more then greatly appreciated!!! Eric

hey Eric!!! Congrats on your gig!!!! sorry i can't help you with much except the freaking out part about being around people. first of all, try to start to desensitize yourself a little. every day (or night) until the photo shoot, start putting yourself in places where there are lots of people and practice taking pics. focus on your breathing and photography. try to tune out everything else. say a specific phrase over and over to help you focus. i say a prayer over and over in my mind when i'm nervous. or i hum a tune. or you can repeat an affirmation in your head...anything that keeps you focused on the task at hand. start with a smaller crowd then the next night go to a more crowded place. You don't wanna wait till the night of the shoot and go there around all those people and freeze up. just shoot pictures and deal with being around people BEFORE the event. i'm not sure that i would even approach the people. i would just kinda hang out and take candid pics. i think those usually make the best ones. i wouldn't ask them. that's just me though. i would just shoot. If you've been invited and have been given unrestricted access to the ship by the owner who is paying you to take pics, i would just take pictures. I would take pics of the band without asking them. i would think they would expect that. Perhaps it might be good if they give you some kind of ID to wear so people know you're they're officially??? i just like to watch people. turn the sound off my cam. watch them in conversation or whatever they're doing and shoot, shoot, shoot. try to be as inconspicuous as possible i guess...well, as inconspicuous as you can be with a cam anyway. try to stay in the shadows and shoot candid pics. that's the best advice i can give you. not sure if it's good advice...take what you like and leave the rest! Hey Eric...You're gonna do GREAT!!!!!!!!! Believe it!!!! :) Huge congrats, again!!! :)

I think Sheila said it all wonderfully!! Nothing to add there, she gave u the best advice imho!! And I can't help about how much to charge either! I have no idea!! but anyway, this is so wicked cool Eric and I'm so happy for u!! C'mon man, u gonna have fun! ;) Enjoy and good luck! ;)

Hey Eric! First thing is to remain CALM! From my experience at a recent convention, most people will be willing to let you take pics of them... and will expect it (knowing its a holiday kind of event). From what I hear, the Phili area is going to be MOBBED with all the LIVE 8 stuff goin on this Holiday Weekend! You may end up capturing some pretty famous people invite to this shindig! I would definitely practice with your camera and builtin flash before hand, since you stated you haven't really used it that much! (GET TO KNOW IT WELL!) Sounds like you will be taking photos at night, so you'll need it most of the time! One thing to check that white balance setting if the ship has a variety of lighting (and using flash) can sometime screw with the sensor! ALSO...make sure you have plenty of BATTERIES!!! Using the flash will eat up battery life faster (MORE THAN NORMAL). Oh and bring extra memory cards too! Another suggestion would be to use AE mode or AUTO...messin around with manual settings may NOT be the best way to go in this instance! Better to get the shots that not...Y'now what I mean! Finally go to the ship beforehand and get to know the surrounding and area you'll be workin in! Find good vantage points that will work in your favor! Good LUCK! Joe

WOOOHOOOOO!!!! YAY FOR YOU BUDDY!!! Big huge congratulations, you deserve it!!!!!! Good luck, im sure youll create magic #:O)

If you're looking for unposed pictures, bring a long lens. The built in flash is pretty good, but it doesn't reach very far, so if you have (or can afford) something like an SB-600 with an omnibounce, that would be preferable.

Congratz Eric! I know you may be freaking out now, but you'll be so glad you had this opportunity later on. Sounds like it is going to be a forced growth experience. Being nervous is normal, just don't let it get you all scatterbrianed. You are a great photographer and just because these aren't your normal nightshots doesn't mean you won't do great. ;] Everyone else has been giving you great advice so not much I can add. If people do ask to buy prints, then you will need a $ figure. First, figure out what it costs to get a print done, then figure out how much time it will take you to make each one happen. What is your time worth? It sounds like a ritzy event, so don't be cheap with yourself. If it costs you $10 to print, them tack on another $10. If they don't want a print, no skin off your nose. Get some practice in beforehand...and try to have fun. Good luck!

The built in flash is just not really that good ...honest. Ok if it is still light out, but inside the longer shots are real underexposed. Just remember people look bad when eating so avoid that.Watch how the backgrounds are, and people walking in front of you.Act natural like you belong there. Try not pointing the camera in too many faces. That can make people pose in bad positions. I walk around and just take a ton of shots. Clutterd tables look awful too. Getting down low and shooting up looks good.

Doug has a point. Does the LCD swivel out on the D70? If so, try shooting from the hip, at least for some of them. Oh, and be sure to fill your pockets with hor'dourves. You'll need them when you go home and start downloading all your photos! ;]

first of all cant add to anything .. thats been advised Eric.. plus dont know the nikon d70... does it have a night setting often that helps reduce the level of flash by a third.. but built in flash can often be to way harsh.. a separte flash unit might be advisable.. again dunno what you'd use for a nikon. still bit of a technical bimbo.. As for what to charge l dont understand prices in the states... but l know quite a few photographers charge 100 per hour ... pounds that is.. sorry pound sign doesnt work..cant work out the dollar rate.. think its $16 to every 10 of our pounds.. 8x10 portrait may be looking at $40 best to look around at other photographers prices in your area.. what ever eric l know you will do well... deep breaths.. and congratulations want a full report after the event... oh and what ever you do.. dont do it at a loss.. hugssss...:)))... sorry not much help :(((

Had this big long response written out and then the power went out on me. A few hours have gone by....... and the power is back on but I do not have the time to rewrite all that I wrote before......

Short answer..... any built in flash, does not matter what camera it is, will not do a good job..... harsh shadows, red-eye to name just a couple of things could result..... I think you may be disappointed in the images that you get.

Recommend either the SB600 or SB800 for your camera..... along with a diffuser....

Will try to answer more in depth when I get the chance......

This may not be the answer you wanted......

Message edited on: 07/01/2005 16:46

Hmm well done Eric but I would invest in a decent flash and with any luck it will pay for itself get one with a bounce or use a diffuser as chelle says Red eye is hard to avoid if you must then tape some tissue over the pop up flash head

thank you to everyone for your well wishes, your time, advice, and tips...i appreciate it more then you'll know!!! i got the flash problem partly solved, meaning i got one. it's not the recommended sb600 or 800, it's not even from this decade i don't think but it sincs and works, i just got to learn how to use it now...that's the next thing i'll be starting on as soon as i'm done typing. as for the fireworks, i found a display not to far from home so i managed to sneak in a few shots, that was simple enough to figure out. one thing and this may be helpful for people who use it, turn off the noise reduction feature on your cam if you have it, it was taking way to log to process between shots and because of it i missed quite a few...luckily it was only a practice run and well worth it i must say!!! now just got to learn the flash and figure out a way to deal with the people by tomorrow at 7:30pm...yeah, talk about last minute!!! thank you all again, i've learned some valuable things and i'm so glad i asked!!!! i'll let you know how i make out!!!! kindest regards, Eric

Eric, First chill dude. You can do it and do it well. Second, what Michelle said, SB600 or 800, you can rent one at Calumet on Columbus but only by noon tomorrow! the number is on their website, ask for Carla. She will take care of you. Second, batteries in the charger Sunday night. Carry an extra set for the flash too. Set it to TTL BL. Use your standard lens, 24 0 70mm? I think. Third a tip, focus on one person in a couple, halfway down on the release, Reframe, shoot. You don't even have to talk to people. Just hold up the camera with a questioning look, as if to say, "May I?" They will nod OK or politely decline. Shoot or move on, whichever. Say thanks and hand them a card. Cards can be bought at CVS and printed on your computer. Keep them simple, Name, Photographer, address and phone, maybe E-mail. What to charge - in Philly the going rate is $125 an hour, give or take $25. Some charge more but no one should charge less. You can do a package deal but don't forget your computer time (darkroom time in the past). Estimate the hours it will take you, subtract 10-20% for the "Package". Deliver the images on time. If its delived on a CD/DVD, go with the 20% discount, 10% for prints. And charge for the prints! they cost you, so pass on the cost plus 10%. Lastly, if your still tweaked, call me you have my number. Oh and one more thing, Don't where yourself out by going to Live8 tomorrow! If you go don't drink and be extra careful with your camera. ;) Magick Michael PS You're good dude. you can do this!

thank you so much Michael, i appreciate your input very much!!! to this day i still use the stuff you showed me when we met down town!!! thank you for that as well!!! i wich i shared your confidence, but i won't be sure till i do it and see my results...hopefully good ones!!! this is the one firework shot i got tonight, i got two but this is the good one. i didn't manage to get a lot, by the time i found a place to park and set up they were nearly over but i got what i needed so i can't complain!!! one other question if i may? with the flash, there's no possible way for me to get the right one so i have to make due with the one i borrowed (from the couple test shots i did it looked ok)... here's the part where everyone will laugh... for a difuser, could i get away with using coffee filters? i'm going to do some testing with and without to see what's what but i' thought i'd make a fool of myself and ask first... thanks again everyone, Eric

If it is an SB anything flash go to Calumet in the morning and get a diffuser. They are less that $15. the part number is sw10. If the flash rotates bounce the flash, it will help. Just don't do what I did once and bounce it off a ceiling mirror. Realy screws up the shot that way!

If you can't find an omnibounce diffusor, you could always resort to a white cardboard at a 45 degree angle to your flash aiming the flash straight up. With some handycraft and tape you can create something that resembles this

First off Congrats Dude! I knew this was going to happen to you one day and it's happening~ Can't give you much advice on the hourly rates, but charge accourdingly, it's your time and investment in the camera. One bit of advice about the built flash...it's like mine on the 10d, it's kaka. Good thing to have the borrowed flash. Stay at the recomended distance, and try not to blow out their eyes. This is you big chance hear Bud, walk around like you own the place and shoot everyone that lets you...This should be great fun for you so have a great time...not everyday you get invited to a big party and get paid to be there...Can't wait for the results...Sometimes you gotta say WTF! Aloha~

Congratulations Eric! I think everyone gave some excellent advice here! I have the SB600 and it does a wonderful job. Bounce the flash whenever you can. I always try to catch people not paying attention to me, they look more natural that way. Oh yeah and don't be so nervous, I know easy for me to say huh? Just concentrate on making some awesome shots and you will do just fine. (My first wedding I was more nervous then the bride was, but that could be because she took a zanax and was drinking champagne before the wedding!!!) Deep breathes, in with the good air out with the bad! I always say! It will all turn out just fine! Brenda :)

i took two xanax before i got out of my car...so i shot the outside of the place till they kicked in...heh heh!!! well, it's over and done with!!! i couldn't have done it with out all of your great advice and tips, thank you all so much!!! i wasn't nearly as bad as i was making it out to be, i just did my thing with my buddy/assistant...he actually did have a job to do, he unloaded the memory cards to the laptop while i continued to shoot...good plan, even if i do say so myself..lol!!! now the fun begins, sifting through 300 shots to see what's what!!! thank you all again so much, your encouragement means a lot and i'm truely gratful for it!!!! Eric

Oh my!! I'm so pleased to hear that it went so well eric!! And Now I wanna see some shots!!! wink I really can't wait to see the results!!!

I'm really looking forward to seeing some highlight shots too Eric. :)

i've been working feverishly all night to see exactly what i got to present to the owner and i got to say...WOW!!! not patting myself on the back but the firework shots are turning out awesome!!! also some of the evening light shots are turning out well...i did however fall short on his crowded deck shots but i did get the crowd in the firework shots but i'm not sure that's what he's looking for... i'll probably post one tonight for the 4th of July, i don't want to post too many because i don't know what dude will want.. i'll keep you guys posted!!! Eric