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Archive 2009 · 13

Inku Yo
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p.2 #1 · 13

I had a guest come up to me and ask me about my watch.

Jun 29, 2009 at 01:14 PM

Miker Reid
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p.2 #2 · 13

That would be pretty entertaining I imagine to watch all that chaos.
I have never had more than 1 show up with a dslr and big lenses.
I don't pay much attention to 1 but 13 of them could get annoying in a hurry.

Jun 29, 2009 at 03:24 PM

JLinkowitz
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p.2 #3 · 13

The Uncle Bob this weekend told me that he preferred his Nikon D70 over his Canon 5D and that I should look into the D70 over my 5D's and 40D's. I then questioned what to do about my lenses, he said to use them. I only responded with "That's a great idea"

Jim

Jun 29, 2009 at 03:30 PM

Tony Hoffer
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p.2 #4 · 13

RedWhiteandRed wrote:
Though a short while ago I shot a wedding where one of the guests was the most commercially successful photographer I know. He left his rig at home.

Those two sentences go well together. Like most should, he knew better.

Jun 29, 2009 at 03:37 PM

Zerga
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p.2 #5 · 13

If they already know who you are and know your work - carry an old 10D and a cheap lens when they're around... Check Ebay on following Monday - you might find a lot of nice used gear for sale

Jun 29, 2009 at 03:47 PM

Sarah Dickerso
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p.2 #6 · 13

My wedding this past Saturday had ZERO Bobs. I was sooooo excited!! My only issue was that we did formals on the front steps of the chapel. It was 100 degrees and the chapel did not have air conditioning. Everyone was getting tired and loopy and there was a crowd of people that didn't get the bride's directions to "go to the reception and cool off!" and stood around with their p&s's. I had wandering eyes EVERYWHERE and then the family was getting cranky because it was taking so long....but when grandma is about to pass out and can't concentrate on anything but the guy at stage right with the hot pink p&s....

I've mentioned it before but I shoot horse shows as well as weddings and the uncle Bob-ing is getting really bad in that world, too. The unfortunate thing is that my income is earned at shows off of sold prints. I have twice this year had someone sitting in the stands with a white lens and then discovered they were selling "candids" on the side....and I was the listed official photographer. Plenty of parents showing up with prosumer gear there, too. I oftentimes still sell the prints because they may have a zoom that works indoors and reaches across the arena, but they have no idea how to frame a horses' stride. Riding the shutter just doesn't produce the same results as good ol' fashioned knowledge of timing.

Anyway. 13. WOW.

Jun 29, 2009 at 03:52 PM

dan101
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p.2 #7 · 13

I attended a wedding a few weeks ago and the photographer had much cheaper equipment than I did. (I might have been an uncle bob, but I didn't take my cameras with me since I was a guest.) Anyway, I talked to the MOB yesterday and I ask her how the photo's were and she said the photographer said they would have them in six weeks. Is this normal? Six weeks to put digital photo's on a web site? I would bet a lot of potential sales are lost in that much time.

Jun 29, 2009 at 04:02 PM

dpun
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p.2 #8 · 13

Six weeks is not too far out if they are a full-time photographer with a studio and really cares about quality control on all their shots.

Dave

Jun 29, 2009 at 04:09 PM

animal-chin
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p.2 #9 · 13

My name is not Bob, its Chun... I guess that could be equal to a Bob in Korean.

I'm a hobbyist and rock the TT belt when shooting. But you won't have to worry about me. I try my best not to shoot when there are hired photogs. My wife's friend asked me to take some pics at her younger bro's wedding. They said they were on a tight budget. I arrived with my gear and saw that they had 2 photogs. I only took pics of my son that day.

I did get busted once for rocking the TT belt. My friend asked if I and another friend could take some Engagement shots. We headed to Crystal Cove by Newport Beach (with our 5D, 5DMkII, 1DMkIIN, 40D all L glass). We were immediately approached by the lifeguard asking for our professional photo permit (I think the cost is $500 a month or year). We told him we were amateurs and these were our friends. He pointed to my belt and said,"Sorry, you guys are gonna have to leave".

Jun 29, 2009 at 04:11 PM

mcarr
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p.2 #10 · 13

BKphotography wrote:
Most just get drunk and asked me why I'm pointing the flash behind me.

I've got this a few times. This last wedding the FOB "whispers" loudly during the formals: "Does he know his flash is pointed the wrong way?"

Jun 29, 2009 at 04:16 PM

tomKphoto
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p.2 #11 · 13

It's really bad - last season at an Arabic reception there was a line of five dSLRs, all wielded by kids under 12! Like a freakin' junior press corps.

This Spring I counted 35 guest cameras at one wedding in particular.

I have a 'Bob' PDF I give to all clients after they book - goes with the standard info pack. Tastefully written (my wife's a long time published writer/editor) it has 6 really bad Bob-corps images with a suggestion that guests might be urged to leave their cameras behind. About 1 in 10 actually does it, but it's a start.

As for gear, I don't care - I've seen 645's with Leaf backs, and Bob spouces holding wireless speedlights. Whatever, it's your wedding - I've already been paid.

Jun 29, 2009 at 04:18 PM

hardlyboring
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p.2 #12 · 13

If their are that many bob's then I think its only right to challenge some of them to a shoot off. Wait till the reception and then make a small wager about who can achieve the best "flare" shot of the b/g. At the end of the night compare shots and see who the real pro is! Just another way to push yourself as a fotog.
HA
13 wow, at least they had nice equipment but that doesn't mean squat. Someone to talk to I suppose if you were feeling friendly.
Doug

Jun 29, 2009 at 04:20 PM

tomKphoto
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p.2 #13 · 13

The only time I ever say anything is when Mom or Dad starts to be a Bob. "Please, enjoy your son/daughter's wedding - I've got the photos covered"

Jun 29, 2009 at 04:21 PM

jetmutant
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p.2 #14 · 13

Holy smokes 13 Uncles! Mine this weekend had only 1 (auntie Bob!) 30D with a 50 1.4 and supposedly had a 24-70L but that never materialized...she was the GF of the videographer (goofball) and was constanly around my neck with "Bob tips" and digs about my MKIII's really wanted to

her one...

Jun 29, 2009 at 04:22 PM

lisy78
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p.2 #15 · 13

sboerup wrote:
It should also reaffirm your necessity to get paid upfront for everything. I don't care if there would be 15 bobs, as long as I am paid. If bob is in every pic, thats not fault. I really wish brides would tell people not to bring those kind of cameras.

I'm not sure why the "discrimination" against "those kind of cameras"

In my experience, the inconsiderate guests with the big zoom dslrs can be obnoxious due to the sheer size of their cameras... but guests with Point and Shoot and CELL PHONES are no less annoying due to their getting much closer (not enough zoom... don't know they have zoom... don't know what Zoom means?) and their idiotic arms stretched forward stance.

Jun 29, 2009 at 04:24 PM

ksoze2507
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p.2 #16 · 13

Stephen W wrote:
Crazy... Sam I think it's the area you work in. Bay area tends to have a bit too many gearheads. Haven't seen any guests sporting primes (other than me bringing a nifty fifty to a friend's) or L's yet?

I think this is true. Of the few weddings I've shot in that area, the Bob's had better gear than usual. They were really smug about it, too!

Jun 29, 2009 at 04:28 PM

Jimsokay
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p.2 #17 · 13

Yesterday's bride stopped the formals and told the numerous guests with their cameras not to take photos till after the photographer was finished.

I must have gotten my point across at our last meeting.

Jun 29, 2009 at 04:34 PM

jofoto photo
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p.2 #18 · 13

wrong Sam, none have your eye

They might get a lucky few but that's it. It's a shame for the bride when it turns into a video/photoshoot

Why on earth they hire a pro beggars belief, maybe they just like the fuss of having there picture taken.
Attention syndrome, I'mCelebday who knows.

Jun 29, 2009 at 06:05 PM

HJ_Mayes
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p.2 #19 · 13

I bet you that most of 'em are hovering so that they can grab shots that YOU set up and use them for their own "portfolio" to get started.
I saw that recently at a wedding I did a second for - I set the shoes up on a pretty stained glass window sill and when I went to retrieve them after the shot - two people were behind me and asked for me to "leave them there" so they could get the shot too.
Bottomline, there are those that can and do, and those that wish and won't. Honestly, Sam, I wouldn't worry - you are one of the ones that can and do - on a daily basis. The rest will wither and fall away...no matter how expensive their equipment is.
PS _ that just means when they move on to the NEXT hobby - ask 'em how much they wanna sell their equipment for.

Jun 29, 2009 at 06:16 PM

Steve Tinetti
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p.2 #20 · 13

I shot a wedding where John Fielder was there as a guest. No camera - not even a P&S. Good for him.

Jun 29, 2009 at 06:25 PM

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