If it comes to it, I guess I could hire a muscleman and have him carry my 600/4 around for the day. He would'nt have to take any pictures, just hit uncle bob's with it. :-)
I know that most of the people here are pros and I am some what of a Bob at weddings, but that last one I went to, the photographer had a Rebel with kit lens and no flash (I have 5DMrkII and L stuff). She did everything she could to make sure I had 0 time with the couple (as in she gave me false info and ran the other way with the couple).
She got paid, I got 0$.
The picture that was put in the thank you card was mine, hers were never shown, not even on Facebook.
I know that 90% of the wedding photographers are better than me, but in case someone I love has hired the crappy one, I rather play safe, be a Bob and make sure they get a nice souvenir. Of course, if I see that the guy knows what he is doing I will take a few pics and then put the camera back in the bag.
Sam Hassas wrote:
13 bobs at todays 80 person wedding. 13 with SLR's. D700, 5D's, 40D's, L glass, boda bags, and topped off with one who rocked a fong. 13 who all watched to see what the pro was gonna pull out when it was game time. My equipment was best, cost the most and I had the most red stripes on my lenses. This needs to be everyone's testimony. Bob is watching. Bob also has a big mouth and will talk about your low grade gear.
To the folks on the forum who shoot weddings with Rebels and D40's, your gonna raise a lot of eyebrows. The pro-sumers are out in full effect. Can you shoot a wedding with the said cameras? Sure? Can you shoot a wedding WELL with these cameras? I'd say yes. Will it hurt your reputation as a pro photographer to be out done in way of equipment by a guest a wedding? I'd say yes.
Strange post. Trying to justify your purchase? Why come to a forum and tell others what equipment to buy?
Professionals never do that. Professionals produce results and have the people skills to avoid "gear talk" or "gear rumors" with guests.
TIP FOR YOU TO AVOID GEAR TALK AND GEAR REPUTATION:
To answer the last part of your post - I have seen pros rock weddings with Nikon D70's even while there were guests using Canon 5DIIs. They were smart enough to do an engagement shoot with the couple before the wedding, produced an amazing 3 foot tall print hung during the wedding (with the pros name all over it) for all the guests to see. Trust me, NOBODY questioned the pros gear or talents during or after the wedding.
Update to make myself clear since its obvious he is a capable photographer:
Learn to back up your work with image examples during the wedding.
hyperion wrote:
Strange post. Trying to justify your purchase? Why come to a forum and tell others what equipment to buy?
Professionals never do that. Professionals produce results and have the people skills to avoid "gear talk" or "gear rumors" with guests.
TIP FOR YOU TO AVOID GEAR TALK AND GEAR REPUTATION:
To answer the last part of your post - I have seen pros rock weddings with Nikon D70's even while there were guests using Canon 5DIIs. They were smart enough to do an engagement shoot with the couple before the wedding, produced an amazing 3 foot tall print hung during the wedding (with the pros name all over it) for all the guests to see. Trust me, NOBODY questioned the pros gear or talents during or after the wedding.
Talk is cheap - learn to back up your work with EXAMPLES.
Apparently you can't appreciate humor laced with some truth. The man can speak for himself but he makes bank and produces good images... What other definition of pro is there?
hyperion wrote:
Talk is cheap - learn to back up your work with EXAMPLES.
Thats how a pro works.
This needs some green & white technology for sure. If you just saw a glimpse of sams work you would need to shield your eyes from his amount of awesomeness.
Equipment is much more of a facilitator than anything else. The Xsi and the MKIII may show similar results at ISO100 in a controlled studio environment, but throw in a dark wedding hall, and it becomes much harder with the Xsi, but not impossible.
Before taking a bite out of Sam take a minute to de-lace the humor from perspective and focus on the latter.
Of course a Rebel and kit lens isn't going to replace a high-end photographer (based on ability, talent and execution, as well as gear) for couples that can budget for one.
The reality remains however that an old generation of photographers that used to get away with a kit lens and on camera flash are now getting replaced as the industry's "budget" offering. We now have a medicore to good bunch of Bobs with anywhere from a D40 to the top gear offerings from Canikon willing to just take pictures for the love of photography. As these Bobs get more practice and do more work, the quality of pictures they produce will not amaze but rather satisfy penny pinchers. It is at this point that a photographer must ask himself what he/she can offer to potential customers above and beyond taking reasonably good pictures with top-end equipment.
This is a photographer's brand. Look to the Hassas or Pingol or sboerup or Hoffer or Mr. TOOBZ (a local shout-out) for some inspiration (amongst many others I assure you). And although their pictures are top notch; there's much more behind their pictures that runs a business; parts of their brand that they can't or won't share as they do their photos.
I love Uncle Bobs. I treat it them as Wal-Mart moving into my neighbourhood. A warning sign of sorts. If I can't be better and attract clientelle, it's time to move on.
sboerup wrote:
This needs some green & white technology for sure. If you just saw a glimpse of sams work you would need to shield your eyes from his amount of awesomeness.
Read the full post.
Examples at the time of the wedding. Not this forum.
ksmahgrts wrote:
our reading comprehension clearly isn't the problem.
True. The original poster isn't using the right tricks to avoid Bob and their gear during the wedding. But im sure he will learn to think outside the box with what people are teaching him here.
This is impossible for me; I can't afford the best cameras. Fortunately, most of the couples who hire me have small groups or their family and friends have prosumer and compact cameras. There was one occasion not long ago where the bride's friend had a 5D mark II and 85L, and I only had my 5D and 40D, but it didn't really matter. I am not rich or expensive, and there's nothing I can do.
mcarr wrote:
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?"
Lol: Funny how I got similar questions on a few occasions. At one time a guy loudly told me my flash was pointing elsewhere... I said I know that... then he continued to ask why... oh well...
DITTO here shotgun! I had one say "hay, your flash thingy is pointed the wrong way... you know it won't work that way!" I just smile and say thanks, and keep on shooting
