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 p.2 #14 · Baby shoot, how much to charge? | |
dtomasula wrote:
KAJed wrote:
"it appears you shot a lot of frames in hope of getting something."
I think to any photog that is pretty much a kick in the teeth.
I don't mean to add to the harshness here. I mean this as constructive criticism, not a personal attack on you or an attack on your talent.
But the above statement is not a "kick in the teeth" but rather shows a lack of experience. Amateurs think that if you put your camera on continuous and fire off 5 or more frames per second, you'll get plenty of useable images. Maybe you'll get lucky and this will be true. But the "shotgun approach" to photography doesn't usually yield photographs -- at best it can yield a snapshot.
Professionals spend time setting up the shot, positioning equipment, analyzing the light and carefully focusing on the subject. Yes, even with babies out in the park. There is little guesswork in a professional shoot. Everything is planned and the outcome is usually known. As opposed to an amateur, who presses the shutter and hopes for the best.
Photography is a craft and there are many things to learn. Even seasoned professionals learn new things now and again about their craft. The only way to get better is to practice your craft. In this case, there's no better way to practice than to take photos. So you're well on your way. Keep it up and don't ever give up -- no matter what anyone tells you on the forums. :-)
ALL of the following is written in a friendly tone of voice. 
Every year this same story comes up.
Someone just learning how to use a DSLR posts a photo and others SLAM them as having used a "Shotgun" or "Machine Gun" approach to taking pictures.
I find that UNFAIR to the photographer who is learning how to use their camera.
What does "Shotgun" or "Machine Gun" mean anyway? By WHOSE definition are you making a judgment?
It MAY mean different things to different folks.
I happen to like shooting a double barreled (one barrel at a time) shotgun when I go to the Sporting Clays range.
IF I tried to shoot those flying clays with a single shot RIFLE, I would not have as much success at hitting those clay pigeons. As it is, I use a tight choke, but I would not try it without a shotgun. 
And I like a nice bolt action Rifle when doing target shooting, requiring precision and slow methods of shooting. When my target is sitting there and not moving, a rifle is accurate.
In some situations, a FULLY AUTOMATIC "machine gun" can be just the right tool too (though I don't own one). 
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There is a bias that says...."IF you knew how to use your camera, you would not take multiple shots (shotgun or machine gun), you would get it right in only ONE shot."
(I find this advice funny.)
The Shotgun/Machine Gun approach works VERY well for sports photographers who use the 8+ frames per second to catch action shots...and they EXPECT the camera to do automatic focus for them using as many focus points as possible with a tiny computer tracking the moving subject. That sounds "auto" to me.
Tell a modern sports photographer to shoot "one shot" method and they would laugh at you.
Before DSLRs were invented with FAST frame rates, they DEPENDED on film cameras with motordrives. They wanted to take as MANY pics as possible. And they wanted even MORE than those cameras could capture. So they devised workarounds too.
Or...go tell a "Wildlife" photographer who DEPENDS on high frame rate cameras to capture a "Bird in Flight."
Or...maybe a "Team Sports" photographer.
Or maybe a "Surfing" photographer...
Or maybe a "Motorsports" photographer...
Or someone taking pictures of a Golfer...
Or the photographers you see with MegaZooms at the Air Shows.
Or, even a "Wedding Photographer" trying to catch the bouquet in mid-air, or the expressions on the faces at the moment of a kiss.
The development of cameras for "Action" "sports" and "PJ" work has pushed again and again for faster frame rates.
They are shooting "moving subjects" (just like moving kid) and they would NOT put their camera on "One Shot" because they might miss the one frame that would make a difference.
The future will probably be HD Video stills taken from a continuous stream of images at 30fps.
So..."machine gun" or "shotgun" IS used by MANY professional photographers.
My Simple Suggestion: EVERYBODY can use the "Shotgun/Machine Gun" approach when it is called for and may help them get a better image.
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To the Original Poster who started this thread:
There are things you can try to use that may improve your "keeper" rate and those are likely related to modifying the light, adjusting EXPOSURE or aperture, and setting WB or PP or composition or choices about POV and Lens choice etc..
You should continue to try to use your camera to capture the active child. When you get THOSE things down or have more experience with THEM, then shooting "shotgun" or "machine gun" may be just the right thing for you.
And if that means shooting on "continuous" at 6-10 frames per second...I say...GO FOR IT.
Later I will send you a link (IF YOU WANT ME TO) to a special article and tips I have written just about this topic. I have not posted it on my site yet, but will within the next 48 hours. IF you want those tips or the link to them, send me a PM first. I suppose that goes for anybody who wants to learn.
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My Simple Suggestion To Everybody: Use the camera as a tool. Know what it can do, and if you need a particular feature for a subject or session, then try it. Experiment. Work with it. Learn how. Etc..
And don't tell people they should NOT use "continuous" or "shotgun" shooting or "machine gun" (multiple quick shots).
Why?
Because you could be WRONG.
IF they followed that and avoided using continuous (or other quick action methods) they could wind up missing those priceless moments that are best captured quickly.
Continuous or "machine gun" or "shotgun" may be just the right thing in many circumstances.
I hope this helps the OP and others.
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