Wanting new camera

[karenjean]

In the last few months I've learned a little about PSE and editing photos from this forum. I think I've talked myself into wanting to take photographs as a side job. I would do weddings and portraits, stuff like that. I have no idea where to start to learn this stuff. I have no idea of what equipment (backdrops, lights, everything else) or camera I would need to start with. HELP anyone…… Do I need to take classes? Do you earn your money back that you invest in allllll this equipment? Suggestions on what type of camera and equipment that I could use just to start with then build my way up later on?

Thanks
Karen

[NMarti]

Karen
You are embarking on a costly and time intensive journey so don't jump in too quickly. I would start small and see if you like photography and post-processing before investing a lot of money. I have never seen any of your work but will just say there are people who have an "eye" for photography and people who take nice pictures. For your hobby to become profitable, you would need to have that "eye". People are very critical when they are paying for a service like photography. Their opinion of what they should look like seldom matches what the camera seesand it is always, of course, the photographers fault. I would start small, take some classes to learn lighting, composition and DOF and then try "tagging along' with a professional at an event before taking on a major event that can't be re-captured if it doesn't go well.

[ljameso1]

Karen, I also suggest you evaluate how you handle stress. I enjoy taking candids at weddings but, when my sister begged me to photograph her wedding the stress of knowing there were no do-overs and trying to herd family into position on time(they all ignored the schedule) took all the fun out of it. I did a good job but, frankly would much rather be in my ICU with a pt trying to die without permission than do another!

[kImages]

Hi Karen. On your learning path also consider adding some business courses. As the other said you have to have the eye and you have to handle stress of performance, delivery, and no shows. You also have to market yourself and your business, handle the contracts and releases, file for tax permits and shooting permits, budgets and deal with income taxes.

[karenjean]

Thanks for the advise. It's a start at least. Bachelor's degree in business with a major in accounting so there's my business sense there. I really do want to start out small like NMarti said. And boy oh boy do I understand how it's always the photographers fault. I'm one of those people sometimes too. Lol The problem around here is there really isn't anyone creative and they are very costly. I wanted to just do it as a weekend job for friends at first, NO WEDDINGS for a few years though. So what should I start with as far as camera wise and stuff?

Karen

[Not4wood]

Karenjean,

Let me just jump in a moment.

In the mid seventies, I got my first real Photography job working in a small Photo Studio doing Weddings.

I would help carry the gear, and set up. At the Wedding, I was the Lightman learning where to hold the light pole and how to face the light. We never did a Wedding Job without a second light.

Its a long very nerve racking experience. Depending on what Religion the Wedding or Affair is, it could take up to about 8-12 Hours or more LOL. Thats just the Affair. The work just starts after the Wedding. You will have to print the Proofs and get them to the Bride to sort and choose for her album, and then both sets of parents. Once they sort this out, they have to get the proofs marked back to you. When a shot is chosen for an album or any thing else it is marked so you know how many prints and what size for that particular shot. One shot can be printed several different times and sizes. Then you have to color correct them and then sort and assemble the albums. Its a very long haul, time consuming job that probably will take just more then one person. You!!

My best advice it is to start off slow and small. See if you can get a job at a local Studio and see if you like it.

I ended up working in the Studio in the Lab during the week. I was the color proof printer, assembled the albums and also ran the B&W darkroom.

Great fun, Great experience and if I had to do it all over again I wouldn't think twice. I would do it in a heart beat if I was that age again.

[karenjean]

Thank you all so much for your input and advice. My original post was meant to get advice and direction on what I'd need to buy to get started and where to buy it from. I guess I didn't word it right or something. I had thought there were a few professional photographers on the forum that could or would suggest a very good starter camera and stir me in the right direction on where to buy some backdrops and lights.

Thanks
Karen

[kImages]

Karen - I think the issue is that there is no "right" answer to your question. It is really a matter of personal preference. Do you have a high end PS that you've taken out of auto mode? Are you ready to invest in DSLR - if so is your budget at consumer, pro-sumer or pro level. Do you prefer prime or zoom lenses. Is your primary work going to be indoor or outdoor. What kind of lighting do you envision in your end product? Will you have an assistant or two to hold booms, backlights and reflectors, and lug lights and generators?

You may want to check out photocamel.com which does have some subforums that address the business of photography. Others may have other sites that they like too.

[Not4wood]

Karenjean,

I'm sorry what confused me was your question on backdrops?? We never had anything from the studio with us when we did Weddings. We had our cameras, two lights, Two Tripods (one in the car for backup), Two Lights(more in the car, and also our radio controlled transmitter and slave), One small Ladder and large drop cloth for a posing stool.

If we needed anything shot that wasn't done at the Wedding, this would be done at the Studio at another time. When doing a Wedding, all backgrounds are real, just look for a park, lake and so on for assorted backgrounds.

As far as equipment concerning Weddings, this depends on where you live and on what level Format your talking about. Can you or are you capable of pulling your camera off of the Auto Settings? Do you have Digital SLR or Medium Format, also are you willing to go to Medium Format? We used Medium Format when we did Weddings and I would assume this hasn't changed even though with todays technology we could get better quality with DSLR. You could always rent a Digital Medium Format for a small party or Wedding and see how it feels. You can start with a Mimiya 645 in what ever version they make now. This is always one of the old work horses for Weddings. I like the 645 for convinience and ease of use as well as the Bronica line. I felt Bronica was an automatic upgrade to my 35 mm equipment. Feels exactly the same, almost all of the controls are in the same places as the 35 mm format and add a larger format to make this Medium and you get great results. Renting is always the cheaper alternative. Use before you buy, especially at these prices.

To answer your question directly about where to buy it from, we live in New York City and there are several of the larger Photo Houses within an Hours trek. One smaller Photo Camera Store
"Ken Mar Camera" that I have used for the past 30 years for Proffessional Equipment when we were doing Weddings. B&H has Medium Format but I'm not sure if you can Rent from them. I used to use "Olden Camera" (but I don't see there name listed in the Net Yellow Pages) for my rentals when and if I needed it. Willoughby is also or was also a great Camera Store that had everything one would need to do Medium Format Photography.

[Grant]

Karen

My main thought is that if you have to ask you are not ready yet. That being said it is best to be cautious and buy only what you find you need as each photographer works slightly differently. Doing location and studio jobs are vastly different and require different equipment.

For what it is worth this was my absolute bottom needs for doing both these jobs.

On Location ... Weddings and environmental portraits:

One camera, three lenses, or one zoom; these include a very mild wide angle, standard and a portrait lens. One very powerful hand held flash that was tethered to the camera. One slave flash that tethered to a pole carried by an assistant who knew where to direct it; in the beginning a reflector can replace this flash.

In Studio:

One camera fitted with a portrait lens. A set of for studio lights, with barn doors and a power source. The lights include a main, a fill, a rim, and a back light. You will also need a tripod, a back drop and a stool for the model to sit on.

Rambling Thoughts:

I am not convinced that classes are the way to learn. If you can get a job as an assistant to a pro (work for peanuts if you have to) you will learn so much in a short time. It is not a wise thing to tell them you are working as their assistant so you can go into competition with them.

The equipment I listed is the absolute minimum you will need, but it will be what you use about 95% of the time. In time you will end up with twice as much.

Never scrimp buy the best equipment for the job (not to be confused with the most expensive) if you have to get a a bank loan so be it.

When shooting a wedding you will need to work very quickly and take a control. Directing the wedding party is something akin to herding cats.

Portraits is often best done with pleasant music and a quiet approach.

When you hand the client the finished job you best have thick skin. They will or should tell you that your work is the best that they have ever seen but they will then complain about how ugly they look.