Originally Posted by Art Scott Excellent memory card recovery software usually runs under $50 and that will allow you to recover any and all images of any and all formats on all cards, or you can choose the types and such...a lot of free ware only recovers the thumbs ....but it has been mentioned on here that some of us have recovered cards that have been filled and formatted several times over the course of a year or more and recovered the images that were first taken on the card.....it s not an impossible feet, but if this person is really un reputable they can just say they lost the cards when it comes down to it....that is why I still say have an attorney write the photog a letter asking for the cards or hard drive...yes hdd recover can run into the thousands of dollars easily ...

I would like to echo question above.

My FT job is in service industry.. I do IT.

While yes, a recovery software will run you 30-70$, and it will allow to recover data.. there is one big stipulation to this - data cannot be recovered if it was overwritten.

If you want someone to start looking at layers of data, no matter whether it is a SSD, HDD, memory card, you will be looking at serious bill.

That said, I would love to expand my knowledge to learn what software under 50$ will allow to recover data that was deleted from a memory card and overwritten multiple times.

Originally Posted by Akoval Which memory card recovery software program would you recommend? I'm also calling an attorney in the morning. Big surprise, I tried texting her asking for the SD cards (again) and still no reply.

I have ussed with great success:
1- Image Rescue by lexar...mine is the 1st version over 5 yrs old....it was free on my lexar CF cards...now V4 retails for 33.99

2- Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery ... .... ... http://tinyurl.com/2y3fmp they have 2 versions $39 and $59 ... ...

Had great sucess with both...but Lexar Image Rescue is strictly for memory cards.....Stellar has been around since 1993 doing recovery...their Photo recovery software will work on memory cards, Cd's, dvd's, harddrives...etc etc...

HTH

Good Luck.

Originally Posted by Foques I would like to echo question above. My FT job is in service industry.. I do IT. While yes, a recovery software will run you 30-70$, and it will allow to recover data.. there is one big stipulation to this - data cannot be recovered if it was overwritten. If you want someone to start looking at layers of data, no matter whether it is a SSD, HDD, memory card, you will be looking at serious bill. That said, I would love to expand my knowledge to learn what software under 50$ will allow to recover data that was deleted from a memory card and overwritten multiple times.

I have used both Lexar Image Rescue and the Stellar Phoenix Photo recovery looking for images that were just taken on a corrupted card to find the recovery taking several hours and getting thousands of images off card, (that were shot and overwritten and formatted several times in the yr.) when I had taken less than 100 when it corrupted...was this a fluke...don't know...but Stellar Phoenix says it will work and it did for me.....


As I said I know the cost of DATA BASE or whole drive recovery is horrendous, until one realizes that a lot of the companies will dismantle a HDD and rebuilt it in another case.... I had one estimated over 8 yrs ago for a crashed drive and it was at that time over $10 per mb and at that price it was around $5K and the company also said they did not charge for the amount of datra a person said was on the drive but the charge was based off the total capacity of the drives....I have no idea if this has changed since then.....y drive was a whopping 500mb drive full of images ... .... I did get it recovered by a computer science grad student that a friend of mine at Nasa put in contact with me... so it ony cost me a couple of hundred to recover all 400_mb of files...

Just checking back. The photographer just contacted me and told me that she FOUND OUR WEDDING PHOTOS!!!!! Thanks to all of you for replying back and for those of you who *cared*! I thought we'd never see our photos and had somewhat come to terms with it.
I realize how completely over reactive and, okay, immature it was to rant and throw a temper tantrum over a dumb mistake. But I'd like for anyone ever reading this to understand that HMC photography spent SO SO SO much more time and lots of $$$$ to recover our photos, and truthfully-I'll probably appreciate those photos far more than I ever would have! She takes great photos, has real talent, and in her busy work schedule, found time for me, and I appreciate it so very much! Her facebook page is updated more often, where you can see her most recent work-and that she makes people happy. Thanks Heather!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Akoval Just checking back. The photographer just contacted me and told me that she FOUND OUR WEDDING PHOTOS!!!!! Thanks to all of you for replying back and for those of you who *cared*! I thought we'd never see our photos and had somewhat come to terms with it. I realize how completely over reactive and, okay, immature it was to rant and throw a temper tantrum over a dumb mistake. But I'd like for anyone ever reading this to understand that HMC photography spent SO SO SO much more time and lots of $$$$ to recover our photos, and truthfully-I'll probably appreciate those photos far more than I ever would have! She takes great photos, has real talent, and in her busy work schedule, found time for me, and I appreciate it so very much! Her facebook page is updated more often, where you can see her most recent work-and that she makes people happy. Thanks Heather!!!!!!!!

Well, that's great news. I hope you'll post a few of the pics here for us to see.

To be perfectly honest, however, the fact that the photographer was able - after all this time - to recover the photos, doesn't really ease my opinion of her. She still made irresponsible errors that smack of a rank amateur getting in way over her head. Maybe she's got talent as a photographer, and maybe she'll become a great wedding photographer one day, but for the moment, she's a dangerous poser who should not be trusted to shoot a wedding solo.

Originally Posted by Akoval Just checking back. The photographer just contacted me and told me that she FOUND OUR WEDDING PHOTOS!!!!! Thanks to all of you for replying back and for those of you who *cared*! I thought we'd never see our photos and had somewhat come to terms with it. I realize how completely over reactive and, okay, immature it was to rant and throw a temper tantrum over a dumb mistake. But I'd like for anyone ever reading this to understand that HMC photography spent SO SO SO much more time and lots of $$$$ to recover our photos, and truthfully-I'll probably appreciate those photos far more than I ever would have! She takes great photos, has real talent, and in her busy work schedule, found time for me, and I appreciate it so very much! Her facebook page is updated more often, where you can see her most recent work-and that she makes people happy. Thanks Heather!!!!!!!!

I think there is a lot in this for us pros as to the mentality of a lot of clients.
Here some bad joke of an amateurish detriment to the profession totally stuffs up, undoubtedly lies, stresses the client about and then when they do manage to do something right, the client thinks the sun shines out of their fundamental orifice and in fact champions them to others.
Amazing.

A lot of real pros stress about perfect quality and exceeding customer expectations and delivering exceptional service ( which is as it should be) but then you can see from accounts like this just how low the bar really is and how Naieve a lot of clients are.

I also think this really is an illustration of how much so many clients put on cost at the detriment of all else. Clearly there area category of clients that you could waffle on about quality and service till you are blue in the face but they really don't give a damn. So many clients these days are price focussed and a pro competing with a weekend warrior amateur really hasn't got a hope in hell.
And the post in this thread show exactly why.

As for being sympathetic or not, well I think my position on that was pretty obvious and so are the reasons why now.

I too would REALLY like to see some of the great shots this talented photographer nearly lost but has managed to save.

I was also wondering if at any time the shots were lost they did the least decent thing and offered a refund?

I managed to find some pics from the wedding in question.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...7520410&type=1

Originally Posted by WillCAD Well, that's great news. I hope you'll post a few of the pics here for us to see. To be perfectly honest, however, the fact that the photographer was able - after all this time - to recover the photos, doesn't really ease my opinion of her. She still made irresponsible errors that smack of a rank amateur getting in way over her head. Maybe she's got talent as a photographer, and maybe she'll become a great wedding photographer one day, but for the moment, she's a dangerous poser who should not be trusted to shoot a wedding solo.

Yep, and those are kind words.

Originally Posted by Glort I managed to find some pics from the wedding in question. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...7520410&type=1

Those don't look too bad, just the post processing is so damn cliche.

Originally Posted by insanefred Those don't look too bad, just the post processing is so damn cliché.

I think you are being too generous.

In my opinion, for anyone shooting other than a throw-away WalMart special...the images that I looked at are terrible...if you are looking at the same 8-10 images that I saw...under exposed, soft...dead...no light...man...I'd hate for those to be mine.

I see it all the time...not much of a photographer and little to no post processing skills and still think they can shoot weddings.

But, I have to remember...some weddings are very simple 10 minute afairs...and any pictures at all are better than nothing.

So, that's my opinion...for what it's worth...

Originally Posted by Ed911 I think you are being too generous. In my opinion, for anyone shooting other than a throw-away WalMart special...the images that I looked at are terrible...if you are looking at the same 8-10 images that I saw...under exposed, soft...dead...no light...man...I'd hate for those to be mine. I see it all the time...not much of a photographer and little to no post processing skills and still think they can shoot weddings. But, I have to remember...some weddings are very simple 10 minute afairs...and any pictures at all are better than nothing. So, that's my opinion...for what it's worth...

Unless the original photographer is requesting your opinion / critique, personally I would avoid dishing it that coldly. All it does is make the happy couple slightly less happy about their wedding photos. To them, these images probably just fine or even great looking...

Just something to keep in mind for next time.

=Matt=

Originally Posted by Matthew Saville Unless the original photographer is requesting your opinion / critique, personally I would avoid dishing it that coldly.

Sorry but I think the pussy footing, politicly correct mamby pamby is the exact reason Highly sub standard shooters like the one mentioned get away with stuffing up the industry the way they do.
There is some sort of limp wristed mentality that you have to be all nice and sweet and syrupy over crap that ought to be called outright for what it is and if the persons responsible are embarrassed or Humiliated, GOOD!

They will either be inspired to lift their game or get out of it. Either way they won't be putting people through the dissapointment expressed in this story for whatever reason.
All this softly politicaly correct mentality is doing with everything is making the world a far worse place and lowering the standards people once took for granted.

IMHO there is nothing wrong with a direct, valid and honest assment of anything no matter how cold the truth may be.
The last thing I would want is anyone pussying footing around any anything they commented in on my work because then I don't learn anything and keep making the same mistakes.
I'm not saying a person has an excuse to be rude, but I do believe valid and honest criticism that is based on obvious fact should not have to be sugar coated.

All it does is make the happy couple slightly less happy about their wedding photos. To them, these images probably just fine or even great looking...

Which goes right with what I said before about why shooters are wasting their time with so many clients trying to do stand out quality work.

The rebuttal I can hear to that already is about educating the clients. I think that is largely a fruitless exercise with many because a good amount of the market is price driven.
I'm certainly not against educating the public though and if we just see slipshod work and don't say anything for fear of dissapointing someone, well that is doing anything but educating the market as far as I can see.

What it does in fact do is condone the substandard work as being acceptable by way of not pointing out the deficiencies in it.

From what I percieve in this case, the bride now thinks the sun shines out of the photographer and will show the pics around and most likley paint a very rosy picture of this person. In doing that others may go straight to them and book them without looking at anyone else because Mrs. Youngbride said they were great and even when the "post office" lost her CD of pics, They took all this time out of their busy schedule to find the pictures just for her.

If it's not bad enough that this client has been suckered in by this charletons lies and excuses and completely failed to understand the depth of the incompetence in the work practices of this wannabe,
the suggestion is that she be kept blissfully in the dark as to how substandard the product she has recieved after all the stress is as well.

I fail to see how this is in anyones interests bar the idiot with a camera impersonating a professional wedding photographer.

No other photographer that does produce decent work and has professional practices in place will even get a look in if they hear this brides reccomendation. I have been in the game waay long enough to know that one reccomendation will get you the gig and they are in fact happy not to bother with looking at anyone else at all if they believe the shooter to be professional.

These sub standard weekend warriors should be criticised directly and without reservation as they automaticly deserve and their shortcomings pointed out for all to see. How else is anyone outside the industry going to learn?

Yes, the couple may be dissapointed over their poor selection of a vendor and their lack of due diligence but to not point it out only guarantees the cycle and paves the way for an endless cycle of people to also receive garbage for their money in the future.

Originally Posted by Glort Sorry but I think the pussy footing, politicly correct mamby pamby is the exact reason Highly sub standard shooters like the one mentioned get away with stuffing up the industry the way they do.

...Which is exactly why I am all in favor of "ripping a new one", if someone is acting all professional when in fact they're seriously under-talented and/or severely jeopardizing priceless memories... You should meet me in person; I don't hesitate to tell a photographer that they aren't ready to "go pro" just yet. I'm quite the opposite of "mamby pamby". Even using that word makes me feel like a sissy. :-P And you make a good point about her satisfaction with the images potentially perpetuating the success of this under-qualified photographer. I can see that.

I'm just wondering, was this particular crusade casualty worth it? While I wouldn't hesitate to rip a photographer a new one, I'd keep my mouth shut if I see a bride's wedding images and neither she nor the photographer are asking for a critique.

=Matt=

Matt, this would be a good "political" path had it been off the forums. Matt, if you want to rip a new one, go to my first wedding thread, and do the ripping ;)

I, for one, am glad that Ed said that.. I was wondering if I was just too picky or images did suck..

Glort, thank you for saying what many want to but are too PC to say.

I looked through her other images.. there were a few that I liked, but the bulk of work uploaded is not my taste at all.. That makes me wonder if the photog actually picks the "best" images out of the pack to upload. If she does.. oh dear.. I really need to get myself exposed better..

Originally Posted by Foques Matt, this would be a good "political" path had it been off the forums. Matt, if you want to rip a new one, go to my first wedding thread, and do the ripping ;) I, for one, am glad that Ed said that.. I was wondering if I was just too picky or images did suck.. Glort, thank you for saying what many want to but are too PC to say. I looked through her other images.. there were a few that I liked, but the bulk of work uploaded is not my taste at all.. That makes me wonder if the photog actually picks the "best" images out of the pack to upload. If she does.. oh dear.. I really need to get myself exposed better..

You guys aren't getting my point. My point was that I'm all in favor of saying these things, but I don't think it's worth it if you're just picking on the bride, putting down her wedding photos, and yet not even reaching the original photographer. That's all I'm saying. If the original photographer can read this, then by all means rip away.

Or, do you truly think that you've "saved" some other potential bride from making the same mistake, or you've influenced some aspiring photographer to think twice? Maybe, maybe not.

All I'm saying is that I pick my battles when I'm calling out a photographer on mediocre / bad work... Fair enough?

=Matt

I agree with matt on this one. (that is kinda rare)

The Bride and Groom have had already gone through a lot of BS at this point and the last thing we can do and tell them that their photos they got just plain sucked. Especially if we have not seen all of them of the wedding.

Besides I have seen a lot worse, yet the bride and groom were more than happy with them. I tell people, that are interested in hiring me, to take a good look at my photos and if that is the style that they want. Otherwise I try to help them to find someone that fits their criteria. I don't act as "professional", but I get clients that have seen me work and my photos and they really like what they see. I may not be as good as many on this forum, but I do my best.

Originally Posted by Foques .. I really need to get myself exposed better..

Yeah, I know EXACTLY what you Mean!
Thinking the same thing myself!

Originally Posted by Matthew Saville You guys aren't getting my point. My point was that I'm all in favor of saying these things, but I don't think it's worth it if you're just picking on the bride, putting down her wedding photos, and yet not even reaching the original photographer. That's all I'm saying. If the original photographer can read this, then by all means rip away. Or, do you truly think that you've "saved" some other potential bride from making the same mistake, or you've influenced some aspiring photographer to think twice? Maybe, maybe not. All I'm saying is that I pick my battles when I'm calling out a photographer on mediocre / bad work... Fair enough? =Matt

Matt, you are entitled to rip into others and call your battles any way you see fit.
The rest of us I assume, are entitled to do the same.

I have not picked on the bride not put down her wedding photos but I certainly have lambasted the lack of professionalism of the photographer. I am astounded though that at after all this bride has been through with such a joke of a vendor, that she is still singing their praises.
If she dosent get it yet and she reads my comments and they offend, then all I can say is it is something that anything less than offence would have not driven home to her.

If being honest and discussing an example of a problem that is rampant and hugely detrimental to the industry upsets someone, Tough. If they are still that Naive at this point in the experience, they ought to be thankful for the lesson and wake up call before they make another silly and expensive mistake that could stuff up many years of their lives.

Perhaps they may see the discussion, learn from it and pass some better advise onto people they know whom may end up in the same boat in future.
If they don't see it, then there is no harm you are concerned about done.

And to clarify my point, I am not ripping into anyone, I am merely pointing out an example of a problem and discussing it openly and honestly.

Originally Posted by insanefred I agree with matt on this one. (that is kinda rare) The Bride and Groom have had already gone through a lot of BS at this point and the last thing we can do and tell them that their photos they got just plain sucked. Especially if we have not seen all of them of the wedding.

I don't believe anyone has done that or even critiqued the pics other than to say what they think of the style and quality overall.
Do you have any reason to think that the shots that we have not seen would be of a different standard to the ones we have?

Besides I have seen a lot worse, yet the bride and groom were more than happy with them.

This hardly means the couple were treated in any way professionally nor received fair value for their money or a quality product. I am the first to say that the couples satisfaction with the product is paramount but I sure as hell would never espouse that was any type of excuse for substandard work!

I tell people, that are interested in hiring me, to take a good look at my photos and if that is the style that they want. Otherwise I try to help them to find someone that fits their criteria. I don't act as "professional", but I get clients that have seen me work and my photos and they really like what they see. I may not be as good as many on this forum, but I do my best.

You sound like you are an honest person and conduct yourself in a highly professional manner regardless of your self reservation's. I also have no doubt that you would have handled this couples wedding in a completely different manner. It sounds to me like you would have taken the due care required with the couples images in the first place. It dosent sound to me like you would have lied and invented the fabrications that are a near absoloute certainty this shooter did. I believe that had you some how stuffed up you would have been honest and offered to refund the clients money and taken all possible steps to recover their pictures before that.
Completely different to what this fool shooter did.

The quality of the photos are a minor issue in this case. The conduct of the photographer and their behaviour is the real worrying part. You may not be the best shooter in the world and I'm damn sure I'm not, however that does not mean our work is sub standard or any excuse why we can conduct our business dealings like amateurs and con merchants.

Everything about this shooter and their business dealing with this couple stank. The have no right to be conducting business or taking money from people till they lift their game substantially.
I take great exception to arse wholes like this creating a bad image of the business I have been in for a lot of years which lowers the credibility of my profession in the eyes of the public who put the bread on my table.

Originally Posted by Matthew Saville You guys aren't getting my point. My point was that I'm all in favor of saying these things, but I don't think it's worth it if you're just picking on the bride, putting down her wedding photos, and yet not even reaching the original photographer. That's all I'm saying. If the original photographer can read this, then by all means rip away. Or, do you truly think that you've "saved" some other potential bride from making the same mistake, or you've influenced some aspiring photographer to think twice? Maybe, maybe not. All I'm saying is that I pick my battles when I'm calling out a photographer on mediocre / bad work... Fair enough? =Matt

Nah, Matt, I think we are. I feel like Glort and I are quite similar in the way we treat ignorance - we feel a need to call it out.
I truly think that people are ignorant enough to not know what they are looking at when it comes down to photography, and need to be educated.

Originally Posted by JimKarczewski http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/laf/2654675640.html Seriously? You delete all their photos after you send them a DVD in the mail? Wow. Maybe I'm just anal, but I have every single clients DVD along with all of the files still on my server. This just defies words for me that someone would say, "K, delivered, now delete." That means they think of photography as a job, not a career. At least to me it's what that says......

Jim: I'm so anal I shoot both RAW and large jpgs and back them up onto two separate hard drives: one portable USB and my 4 TB wifi NAS drive! I also do everything electronically so I can control what pics they've chosen and ensure that they don't take the whole CD to Walmart and make enlargements of my photos that are my intellectual property.

Cheers,

CARL
D3XWannabe