Possible First Paying Job?

shatch · April 15, 2007

Ok...I've always shot for free. Never felt like my work was worth it. Had a neighbor call me and ask me to take some senior portraits of their son. Had a great shoot. This was my favorite of the bunch.

gus · April 15, 2007

Beautiful...i really like the exposure.

Nikolai · April 15, 2007

Snatch,
Great portrait!
Love the light!

BenA2 · April 15, 2007

Q about lighting
Great shot. Excellent lighting and exposure. Is that shot with a single strobe to camera right? Or is there a second strobe somewhere? Any modifiers?

I've benn wanting to experiement with outdoor flash like this myself, but have been worried that my single 430EX may not have the power needed. I guess that's why I should get out and try.

Thanks for posting--would love to see more.

gavin · April 15, 2007

Damn the light is Spot on. This would be the perfect shot if you had a relector to take that shadow out from his hat. Thats the only this that is ruining it for me.

Elaine · April 15, 2007

Love the colors and the setting here! Everything works together really well. Looks like they should be pleased!

Elaine

ShepsMom · April 15, 2007

Great, great image!

Scott_Quier · April 15, 2007

Love the shot and the light - you did very nicely (for whatever my vote might be worth). Question, you shot this in the HOPE that you would get paid? This shot tells me you should've had a signed contract (or at least a verbal agreement) before shooting!

The shadow under brim of the hat is natural and well modified. It is so common in that area (I used to live in Montana) that NOT having that shadow would be very strange looking.

If find two things distracting in this shot: (1) the shadow line across the truck from the building to the left of the truck and (2) the white spot on his left chest. The first is there, nothing to be done about it, but I would probably clone out that white spot on his shirt.

Also, I might crop some of the sky from the shot, especially for something like an 8x10. Something like this...

P.S. - If you would like me to take this down, I will, but I thought it might convey my intent a bit better than words.

Terrence · April 15, 2007

Love the composition and light. Looks like you have some examples of why you should get paid for your work.

binghott · April 15, 2007

gavin wrote:

Damn the light is Spot on. This would be the perfect shot if you had a relector to take that shadow out from his hat. Thats the only this that is ruining it for me.

fantastic picture. this goes way beyond 'senior picture' quality!

i would also maybe crop off a little on the right, make it more even.

awesome work!

shatch · April 15, 2007

Thanks!
Thanks Gus, Nikolai, BenA2, Gavin, Elaine, ShepsMom, Terrence, binghott, and Scott_Quier for the compliments. It means a lot coming from such a well respected group of quality photographers. I looked in each of your websites...great work.

BenA2. You asked about lighting. I had my son hold a 580ex camera right and triggered it with an ST-E2. (note: shooting in the sun isn't always easy with the infrared sensors...I had my son put his hand above the receiver to allow it to sit in a shadow. Seemed to help). I used no other reflectors or modifiers but did do some post work on the shadow under the brim. It was origninally very sharp and dark.

Scott, binghott, and Gavin: Thanks for the extra critique of the small stuff. It is fun to get your reviews. It is all about the details isn't it.

CookieS · April 15, 2007

No more giving it away for you * shaking finger Smiley here *

saurora · April 15, 2007

This is a truly wonderful image and you should be compensated for your artistry. Wonderful lighting.

photogmomma · April 15, 2007

I absolutely love this!

My only *minor* critique is that his feet are cut off. But then again, it's one of my few pet peeves.

Phenomenal. And if you ever do this for free again, you're in trouble!

binghott · April 16, 2007

shatch wrote:

Scott, binghott, and Gavin: Thanks for the extra critique of the small stuff. It is fun to get your reviews. It is all about the details isn't it.

when you have a great photo like that, there is only small stuff to critique.

Scott_Quier · April 16, 2007

binghott wrote:

when you have a great photo like that, there is only small stuff to critique.

JESTER · April 16, 2007

They don't make Senior photos like they used to! Excellent photo. I would be proud to have this in my yearbook as my senior picture.

shatch · April 16, 2007

RE: Shaking Finger
CookieS and saurora, thanks for the gentle repramand, encouragement, and compliments. You both have some great photos. Fun to look at.

photogmomma, sorry about the feet. He lost them in a tragic motorcycling accident...I mean he lost them in a tragic photo shoot. The photographer (me) just tilted the camera a little to high and BAM! they were gone. I don't know if he will ever walk again.

As I continue to learn, I keep thinking as I look through the view finder, "look again...look again...wait, is everything right? Background...trees out of ears or head? Limbs in tack? etc. Still not there yet. Thanks for your positive comments. BTW love your daily photo.

Jester, thanks for the positive vote.

Had a call today form the editor of a state professional magazine. He asked if I would join him at a shoot of the Mayor of my city next week for a covershot of his magazine. I told him my going rate was...Free! Did I mess up again

?

gmonkeh · April 16, 2007

If this image is an example of the quality of your work, then you're seriously undercharging

Sooner or later you'll have to realize that although this is a hobby for you, it is an expensive one at that and every shutterclick you take for free is taking life away from your camera. So at least charge for equipment and travel costs.

Lex

Phyxius · April 16, 2007

I'm jumping right on the bandwagon, this is a great image! I love the colors, light and composition. I agree with Scott on the crop for an 8x10, but also in general it makes the subject a little more focused.

Again, really nice image!

shatch wrote:

Had a call today form the editor of a state professional magazine. He asked if I would join him at a shoot of the Mayor of my city next week for a covershot of his magazine. I told him my going rate was...Free! Did I mess up again ?

YES! You deserve money!

DavidS · April 16, 2007

Beautiful shot. I looked at the gallery of his shoot. Very nice.

Elaine · April 17, 2007

I took a look at the gallery for this young man...if this were my son, I would be happy to pay good money for this collection! They look very personal and the colors and poses and environment are all great! I think Scott Q pointed out that little logo on his shirt...it can look like a speck of something when it's not close enough to tell what it is. If it's not important, I might be tempted to remove it.
You really need to start yourself a business, I think!

Scott_Quier · April 17, 2007

I also went out and looked at your gallery of shots for this young man. They are all winners.

This is, I believe, your #1 shot there. Just fantastic!

You need to start charging for this work! Get some of the money back that you've spent on your kit!

winger · April 17, 2007

Great shots and I echo the chorus here, you should start getting some mola to help feed your habit.

I dont charge a ton but I charge a little and it helps pay for new equipment and other fun toys. When you take a good picture the very least people can do is help pay for your equipment if not your time.

There is also a balance, there is one website I shoot for that a) doesnt have the money to pay any photograhpers b) i have used for over a decade for free. So I shoot for them for free, but it generates alot of sales because of the exposure I get from the site.

So there is no magic formula here, but your work is defaintly good enough to get paid for.

Possible First Paying Job?

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