Then help me God!

Let's try this again, wrong link earlier

http://cherryblossom.fotodc.org/bin/Rate?searchphotographer=Igor+Dmitry&search=photographer#

[Edited on April 16, 2012 at 10:39 PM. Reason : .]

4/16/2012 10:37:33 PM

Lots of friends and coworkers are posting photographer-who-just-got-a-DSLR-and-decent-lens engagement and weddings photos.


Oh well.

4/17/2012 12:08:17 AM

^^ They're improperly exposed. The first one is too overblown, the second and third are too dark.

4/17/2012 1:09:10 AM

The world is not 18% gray, my friend First of all, shooting into the sun without the fill light is bound to give you an image that will be partially overexposed or underexposed, the camera just does not have the dynamic range required to cover everything in this type of pic. In fact, even human eye does not have the dynamic range to cover that kind of contrast, and the photographs set a specific time of the day by establishing that high contrast environment. Sure, there is a bit more information in the raw file that could be brought out for all three pics, but what would that accomplish? The identity of these people is not important to composition. I wanted the silhouetted look for the second two, as it adds mystery and allows the viewer to use his own imagination. The [unimportant] detail lost in the overexposed water of the first pic is a small price to pay for the feeling of happiness that comes with overpowering sunlight, which is complimentary to the photograph depicting a bunch of happy friends, a couple, and a puppy. Some photographers even artificially add lens flare to their pictures to create that powerful illusion of staring into low morning or evening sun. So while I agree that histograms may show these images as overexposed and underexposed, IMHO the exposure sets the correct mood.

4/17/2012 2:31:14 AM

Hard to get a "feeling of happiness" when I can't seem to view the pictures at a size larger than 3 and a half inches wide.

But your articulate defense of your photos is admirable.

4/17/2012 2:38:20 AM

FotoDC galleries are not exactly on par with SmugMug or anything. Here is the first image in larger size. I don't think I have the other two uploaded to my flickr. I can post a RAW file if someone thinks they can show me what this image SHOULD have looked like (obviously can't go back an retake it). As it stands, the image should almost make you want to squint (IBT jokes about why)




[Edited on April 17, 2012 at 3:00 AM. Reason : .]

4/17/2012 2:55:05 AM

Yeah, I don't really get a vibe of happiness from that picture. It's not unhappy, but I don't feel better having seen it.

The water isn't just lacking unimportant details--it's nearly impossible to tell it's water without already knowing it's water. I'd say that's an important detail.

Where am I supposed to focus? What does this have to do with cherry blossoms?


The second picture does nothing for me. It's mostly alternating bands of light and dark. The railing detracts from the water. The skyline has no texture. I suppose that's a cherry tree?


The third is the best to me, but I wouldn't call it outstanding. Taking the same picture, I would probably have chosen to expose the water correctly. The subject couple only seems to be a couple because they're sitting next to each other. I don't get a sense of intimacy between them.


For a cherry blossom photo contest, cherry blossoms don't seem to figure prominently in your pictures.

4/17/2012 3:13:42 AM

I wish the tree wasn't growing out of that guy's head

It's a really busy picture. If it were less busy I think the flare might have worked better, but as it stands there's just so much to look at and a bright sun penetrating my eyes is just stressful.

Post the raw file!


[Edited on April 17, 2012 at 3:18 AM. Reason : .]

4/17/2012 3:15:52 AM

Thanks everyone for your input. Maybe I am seeing it through my memory and it does not reflect how a fresh set of eyes would look at it. It may appear somewhat busy, but it was hard enough to just isolate these three major subjects from the ridiculous crowds out by the basin.
Here is a series of shots that I took to get this image. As you can see, this one was the only good one composition-wise and that I shot it at least one stop under normal exposure (and probably two stops under what my final jpeg) to preserve what highlights I could.



Here is a RAW for anyone that wants to play with it in Photoshop and get a better result than I did:

http://www.2shared.com/file/lfBXknrs/IMG_9401.html



[Edited on April 17, 2012 at 3:54 AM. Reason : .]

4/17/2012 3:48:55 AM

Quote :

"Lots of friends and coworkers are posting photographer-who-just-got-a-DSLR-and-decent-lens engagement and weddings photos. Oh well."

THIS. I have done a couple of weddings and other paid gigs, and it is part of my job description at work, but I really don't advertise my services. Shit I barely even post my photos on here. However I am friends with a lot of people still from back home (Roanoke Valley) and there are so many people with photography pages that it is not even funny. I counted at least 20 people with pages and watermarked photos in an area with under 17k people and shrinking.

Of those I have to say 2 of them are fantastic and have been shooting professionally for years, 3-5 are really good and have the talent and potential to make it as a photographer at least as a side gig. The rest are shit. Rebel users with a kit lens and pop up flash. Not that you can't make some good pictures with those cameras, but I would not be advertising my services for weddings with shitty equipment like that. Thankfully most are just doing family photos and little stuff like that. A large majority of these are stay at home moms who got a camera to take pictures of the kids and have now decided to do this as their "job".

4/17/2012 8:22:29 AM

What's even worse is that some people will pay them to do it...

4/17/2012 8:34:37 AM

^yup. And the people paying them to do this are not hillbillies or poor. They just don't know the difference

4/17/2012 8:55:54 AM

Igor, it seems like God and Bweez have given you a fairly accurate and fair critique. If I was a judge or an editor, I would not give these photos any consideration. Look at the past winners of the contest and you'll see what kind of competition you've got here.

To play the role as your critic, I will offer this:
*These images are way to cluttered, Pick a subject matter and stick to that. Follow the K.I.S.S rule (Keep it simple stupid)
*Backlighting is great, but very difficult to get a good shot, which is typically a silhouette but you have to provide proper exposure for the highlights so that they aren't washed out, you also have to have a VERY simple subject matter that can be easily recognized and understood in silouette. Since this is a contest featuring a flower, I would steer clear of that. The other option is to provide enough fill light to properly expose the highlights and your subject. For a scene of this size you would need a very intricate studio light set-up to expose the couple, the picnicers and the cherry blossoms.
*On that note, what I would have done is moved to the opposite side of the couple, you've then got a beautiful golden sunset over your shoulder to give some really rich light to your subject, it'll also put you a lot closer to the trees that you really should be focusing on for a cherry blossom contest.

*And last but not least: abandon this line of thinking

Quote :

"Here is a RAW for anyone that wants to play with it in Photoshop and get a better result than I did:"

Photoshop does not make photos better. In fact at this point it's not even a photographers tool, its a graphic design/illustrators/artist's tool.
If you rely on software to make your photos great, you'll only become good at the software and not the photography and everyone will deem you a fauxtographer.

The good news is they've extended the deadline to the 20th so you've still got some time to reshoot, get critiqued, reshoot again and enter. If a 9-5 is in the way of getting out and taking good photos, then you're in luck since the sunrise/sunset hours are outside of work hours, and should offer some great lighting for shots.

4/17/2012 9:12:36 AM

^^Yep. I was at the Arboretum two weekends ago and the fauxtographers were out in full force. I was just doing some macro photography, and taking the wife because she had never been there. I could not believe how many faux's were out rocking their kit lens and pop up flash, and of course plenty of accessories to pose with. I later did run into one honest to God professional. He had a D700 with some nice glass and a SB-800 with an Sto-fen like I use, and was shooting away just to get some fill lighting. More importantly instead of posing the little girl, he was just following her and her mother and getting some great natural action of his subject wandering around the gardens, with some occasional direction. Later I saw him at the waterfall area and he had the flash mounted on his tripod behind him to get some better bounce lighting off the ceiling behind him.

4/17/2012 9:39:21 AM

I do appreciate everyone's critique. Since I have never entered a competition before, I'm not 100% sure what the judges are looking for. I just had some photos laying around from last year (cherries are not blossoming anymore since we had such an early spring) that perfectly fit one of categories, "Images showing crowds or individuals enjoying and engaging with the cherry blossoms." Maybe I should have looked at the last year's winners, but when I looked at the other recent entries, they did not impress me. So I figured it can't hurt to give it a shot.

Maybe the images are a little cluttered, but considering how crowded the area is, they isolate the subjects pretty well. Also, in the context of a Cherry Blossom submission, the silhouettes are very recognizable.

On the Photoshop/Aperture/Lightroom, I beg to differ as well. Yes, there is something to be said for well lit and composed photos that don't need any retouching. But software is a powerful tool that allows digital photographers (or fauxtographers, if you insist) to apply the same enhancements that film photographers used in an actual lightroom and do other things that were not even possible with film. Software is just a tool, and can very much be used by both illustrators and photographers. It's similar to saying that electronic music is not real music because it is not played on "real" instruments.

Seeing people with kit lenses taking photos and getting paid are a sign of opportunity, not a threat. If you are confident you can shoot better photos, you should have no trouble booking plenty of work yourself, right?

Full disclosure, I recently became a "fauxtographer" myself. Meaning I quit my 9-5 and now I plan to make a living shooting videos and taking photos, without any formal education or significant accomplishments in the field.

I had a good corporate job, but I figured if I do not try this now, I may not have another chance for a couple of decades. I saw a couple of my peers progress from amateur to pro in the same time period that I spent working for the man since graduating from State. So now I spend my days reading photography books and poasting on the wolf webs. Once I have a portfolio and a reel that I can be somewhat proud of, I will start advertising. I can certainly keep you guys posted and entertained as I stumble forward on my path to a brighter future.

Feel free to flame away.

[Edited on April 17, 2012 at 11:25 AM. Reason : .]

4/17/2012 11:23:22 AM

what is a fauxtographer?

4/17/2012 11:29:54 AM

Quote :

"Full disclosure, I recently became a "fauxtographer" myself. Meaning I quit my 9-5 and now I plan to make a living shooting videos and taking photos, without any formal education or significant accomplishments in the field."

That is a completely different thing from being a "faux"tographer. Most of them will have the most basic equipment (which in and of itself is not the issue, I was in the same boat a couple years ago), will be using mostly automated modes, have little to no understanding of f-stop, shutter speeds, ISO, white balance, RAW files, and very little knowledge of composition. They also think that Picnik is the only photo editor you need. I have little "formal education" in photography myself. I have taken some classes and I keep myself very busy with the photography work I do already. Unfortunately I have to turn stuff down quite regularly. I had a request last night to shoot a wedding with a colleague that I will likely turn down because of a previously scheduled event. So again, I am not threatened by people like this, I am simply amused. But you do not seem to understand what I am talking about, so I will give you an example:

http://youarenotaphotographer.com/

That is the kind of thing people are putting out as "professional" photography services which are anything but.

4/17/2012 11:35:36 AM

I'll admit I bought myself a Nikon D5000 and have not used it nearly as much as I wish I would. Turns out it takes dedication to carry that thing along with all the accessories around with you to use it on a daily basis. I finally got it all in a nice backpack and I took it with me to colorado for my vacation. I got what at least I consider some nice shots mixed in with a bunch of ones that I thought would look good but really didn't. Once I get them all off the camera and onto the computer I may post a few. I think my most impressive shot was managing to catch a butterfly midflight with my zoom lens and it not be completely blurry. One of those lucky point, shoot, and hope for the best ones.

4/17/2012 11:37:42 AM

^See that is cool. Post it. We can give you suggestions on things you could do to improve shots, and so forth. If you were posting that shit up on a Smugmug or FB Business page as a professional service, that would be a total fauxtography move. Just learning and shit is great.

Honestly I really would like to turn this thread into a TWW Photo Club for anybody that is in the Triangle. I would like to do meet ups where we even have some of the more advanced guys like Ronny present on things and then we could do regular trips together to events. Even do a monthly shooting challenge and then have everybody present what they shot and critique each others work. I did this back in RR and learned a shitload when I was just starting out. The best learning for me has been shooting with somebody more skilled than myself and having them show me what I can do to make it better. Books are great but hands on learning works so much better for me.

[Edited on April 17, 2012 at 11:45 AM. Reason : ]

4/17/2012 11:44:35 AM

Yeah that would be pretty cool and hopefully get some of us to use what we do have more. When I originally bought it last spring the idea was that I needed a hobby that didnt involve computer games but something that I could also do by myself and so I decided this would be a good fit. I shot some stuff in the spring when I bought it but then summer and fall kind of came and went and shooting outdoor stuff in the winter is well not much fun haha. Now that I am dating something who likes to travel and who has a 3 year old kid I'm already finding myself having many more opportunities to do things where I want to bring the big camera.

4/17/2012 11:53:51 AM

Quote :

"http://youarenotaphotographer.com/"

LOLs all around

Quote :

"Honestly I really would like to turn this thread into a TWW Photo Club for anybody that is in the Triangle. I would like to do meet ups where we even have some of the more advanced guys like Ronny present on things and then we could do regular trips together to events. Even do a monthly shooting challenge and then have everybody present what they shot and critique each others work"

I'm not in the Triangle anymore, but I'd come out for one of these!

I haven't really been posting in this thread just because I did not think I had much of anything worth sharing, but I've been following it from pretty early on. I'll try to post things up going forward and let you guys school me a bit.

4/17/2012 12:15:59 PM

^Hell if we did this in a office conference room or classroom with internet access we could easily do a Skype/Lync session and share content and so forth so that people not here could easily check it out.

^^Yea last week we let the grandparents keep the kids and I hauled the camera bag to the Arboretum, the WRAL Azalea Garden, the Botanical Gardens, Duke Gardens 2x times (and once with the kids last weekend), Umstead Park and the airport. Think I might go shoot at the Red & White game this weekend, camping trip the following weekend (which I will bring the camera) and then next weekend MCAS Cherry Point airshow.


[Edited on April 17, 2012 at 12:45 PM. Reason : ]

4/17/2012 12:42:21 PM

Yeah I was excited to shoot in Colorado, but at the same time I wish I were better prepared so I could have made the shots even better. I was kinda upset we didnt manage to get up earlier and make it out to Garden of the Gods, early morning sun would have made those shots much better. Instead if was directly overhead which didnt make good for taking pictures looking straight up the cliff faces. Lens flare FTL!

4/17/2012 12:55:03 PM

Hey if anybody is interested here is a competition you can enter this week that could get your shot published in Our State magazine and a chance for some cash.

http://www.ourstate.com/2012-spring-photo-contest/

Basically any spring pictures from NC taken since March 2010 can be submitted.

4/17/2012 2:08:10 PM

i just bought a sony nex-5n anyone had experience with this camera

4/17/2012 4:12:32 PM

i just bought a sony nex-5n anyone had experience with this camera

4/17/2012 4:12:36 PM

Quote :

"On the Photoshop/Aperture/Lightroom, I beg to differ as well. Yes, there is something to be said for well lit and composed photos that don't need any retouching. But software is a powerful tool that allows digital photographers (or fauxtographers, if you insist) to apply the same enhancements that film photographers used in an actual lightroom and do other things that were not even possible with film. Software is just a tool, and can very much be used by both illustrators and photographers."

I'd like to see some opinions on this from some pros on this thread. I was under the assumption after years of practice that a good photographer takes good photos, not shitty photos that he then manipulates in software to look good.

Plus, why on earth would you not want to take the time to learn to take great photos if that's your chosen path?

I haven't work professionally as a photographer in a couple of years now so maybe times have changed.

Quote :

"It's similar to saying that electronic music is not real music because it is not played on "real" instruments."

So am I a real golfer because I spend time playing Tiger Woods on the Wii?

Musicians make music, not instruments. Instruments make sound.

Photographers make photographs, photoshoppers make Illustrations.

I've seen some artists and illustrators that can make some amazing realistic images from photoshop. That doesn't make them photos.


On another note:

Quote :

""Honestly I really would like to turn this thread into a TWW Photo Club for anybody that is in the Triangle. I would like to do meet ups where we even have some of the more advanced guys like Ronny present on things and then we could do regular trips together to events. Even do a monthly shooting challenge and then have everybody present what they shot and critique each others work""

This thread would be a great opportunity for critique, which is in my experienc one of the best ways to teach and learn. There's a good mix of professionals and seasoned amateurs alike here to provide a lot of good insight to rookie photographers looking for a way to take better photos.

4/17/2012 5:05:34 PM

Yeah, I'm down for this. I learned a lot from having Mtan Man214 critique my work when I was just starting out. It really is a great way to learn not only the technical aspects, but why you shoot the way you do and how others view the way you view things.

I'm in the triangle, and I am always looking to shoot with people. We could even set up some type of semi-elaborate shoot. Assisting on shoots has also helped me learn a good bit. I'm certainly down, let's make it happen.

And yeah, editing is easier if you get it right the first time, which is in the camera. I never take a photo with the plan to change it later or turn it into something different.

[Edited on April 17, 2012 at 5:24 PM. Reason : .]

4/17/2012 5:22:24 PM

^I'd so be down for this...I loves photography

but I don't have a camera

4/17/2012 5:25:18 PM

^^Well if ya'll are down lets talk about possible times and locations. Of those interested, would a weekday or weekend be better to do a meet and greet? Not setting a specific time or anything yet, just want to know in general what is best for ya'll in terms of free time to get together?

Next a location. Has anybody got maybe a photo studio, conference room, or some space for some people to get together either personally or from work? Ideally something central. I have only moved back to the Triangle in the last year, so I don't know of any places that may have cheap or free meeting space like the YMCA or a local library. I have tons of classroom space at work, although I don't think most people would want to deal with driving to Chapel Hill to do it (plus the irony of having a message board for NCSU students/alums that meet at their biggest rival would be too much to take) so I don't really have the best location to volunteer. Maybe a bar or restaurant with a backroom that we could close off and do a meeting just to get to know everybody and have a couple beers.

Third, are there any good upcoming events that might be worth meeting up to photograph? I think I am going to grab the telephoto and carry it to the Red & White game Saturday, but that is kinda short notice for everybody else. Also depending on how much tailgating I do beforehand, I don't know how blurry my shots might be. Other than that I am doing an airshow the first weekend in May, but that is all the way out to Cherry Point, so a bit of a hike for most people. Still if you have a telephoto of 300 mm or more you can get some good shots and its a helluva lot of fun. Even if you don't have that they have a lot of static displays that a good eye and decent wide angle lens can get some great shots around. And its pretty cheap, just pay for gas and food. But besides this, anybody have some events or locations that are having special events that are photographer friendly? I went to Duke Gardens last weekend and while going to check out the Duke Chapel I stumbled on a Native American dance exhibition on the campus, so I sat there for a little while with the kids and photographed it. Nothing spectacular but it was still fun to randomly stumble on something like that. Anyways, thoughts and suggestions?

4/17/2012 10:47:30 PM

Someone dragged me to the arboretum at the end of last summer to take their engagement photos. I know nothing about doing it right, but I have a decent DSLR with lots of lenses and filters.

I did not make myself out to be a good photographer, though. I told them I would take as many shots as I could and there would hopefully be a few good ones in there. I own no editing software and I just gave them the raw photos. I didn't charge anything and I didn't pose them. I felt really silly until I saw an actual PAID FOR photographer with the same camera as mine, at the same time of day (high noon, ugh).


On that note, who would like to teach me how to use all the filters and lenses I have?

4/17/2012 11:05:50 PM

Based on the small sample, I would put Igor in the class of photographers who people should not pay for their work. Like all of these wedding and engagement photos people are posting, it's just very amateurish.

Also, this Igor guy didn't actually accept anyone's criticism. If he is spending so much time defending mediocre work, then he clearly cannot imagine what a good photo should look like. You cannot improve if you cannot make changes based on feedback.

4/17/2012 11:33:06 PM

Quote :

"I do appreciate everyone's critique"

Why so quick to judge, skokiaan? I did not get paid for the photographs above, nor did I say I get paid to take any wedding and engagement photos. I don't think the photos I posted are amazing, but I found them competitive with the other entries I saw. Now that they have been uploaded, they can not be changed. I listened to the criticism from other users, took notes for future, and replied with own substantiated opinion of why those photos look the way they do. Definition of good photography is a very subjective matter and everyone is entitled to an opinion. Some people have a better understanding of the technical aspects than others, and there are some universal concepts that we perceive in a similar manner, but at the end it comes down to a personal preference.

4/18/2012 12:55:50 AM

Quote :

"I listened to the criticism from other users, took notes for future, and replied with own substantiated opinion of why those photos look the way they do"

That's how you get better, and the more you shoot and the more feedback you get, the quicker you'll improve. Do you plan on shooting anything else and submitting it before the 20th?

Also in response to Nighthawk, why look for indoor spots? That's what you do in the winter. Just go to a park or an outdoor venue. It's beautiful out right now without being blazing hot and the sun is staying out longer and longer. For those without much equipment all you need is a warm body willing to pose and be photographed, some peak hour sunlight and possibly a reflector or two. I'd be willing to help out, I may have to bring the kid along.

And I'll offer my own pound of flesh for this push for helpful critiques.

I took this a few weeks ago at the Museum of Life and Science. I've been almost exclusively taking photos of my son for the last little while, so I thought I'd turn my eye to a wider range of subjects for a bit. I've never been very good at Nature Photography, so I'd appreciate some feedback:



[Edited on April 18, 2012 at 7:57 AM. Reason : typos]

4/18/2012 7:56:11 AM

^Good point about not needing to meet indoors right now. I was simply trying to find a central location if we wanted to do meetings, which we obviously do not have to do at first. I talked to one of the guys that I shoot with and he recommended Wake County Libraries, as they will allow you to reserve a meeting space, provided you are not charging money, so the CV Library might be an option for indoor meeting if necessary.

If we could get some people to pose that would be great. Hell maybe we could get Joie & Cody to come out. Not for the risque photos, but she seems like she knows what to do when it comes to modelling, and he seems to know his way around a camera as well.

Anyways suggestions for a meeting?

4/18/2012 8:58:36 AM

I'm sure this has been posted somewhere in this thread but I thought it would be faster just to ask real quick. Where does everyone suggest uploading photos that you actually want to keep the quality of. Obviously lots of places like here or facebook will shrink them down so I would like a place I can upload some of these photos to that will keep the picture as it was originally when I took it.

4/18/2012 9:29:22 AM

Flikr?


also as far as social media uploading google plus doesn't do too much damage to my photos.

4/18/2012 9:37:17 AM

Yea Flickr is probably best. For convenience sake I post most of my stuff on FB, but if I am going to share like on this thread, I will probably use my Flickr account for that.

4/18/2012 9:48:10 AM

^^^ What about Umstead or Lake Crabtree? That should be central enough for those that have spread across the triangle, and allow any who shows up a wide range of subject matter to shoot.

May 3-6 works well for me as the earliest date possible, with just a few commitments to schedule around.

Professional Models would be awesome, but I think anyone looking for some recent photos of themselves would work. Couples, kids, aspiring faces, etc. It would be nice if a biker or runner could show up and we could work on shooting in high speed, and both parks would be great locations for some action shots of mountain bikers.

I think it would also be necessary to ensure we get a couple of full-time photographers out to help with some idea generation and guidance.

And meeting up after we be a great way to have some hindsight discussion on the day, give everyone a chance to hear critiques from several people and give us a chance to plan another outing. If there's enough pro's involved we can do a judging and award a best-of-day or something.

^^And I vote Flickr as well

[Edited on April 18, 2012 at 9:55 AM. Reason : ]

4/18/2012 9:54:01 AM

Yeah same easiest just to goto facebook but wanted a better option for posting to this thread or putting the ones I like better on for sending to other people. I'll check it out.

4/18/2012 9:54:52 AM

^^I think all of that sounds like a good idea. Main reason I suggested Joie is that she has honest to God model experience and would probably need less direction than just some random off ModelMayhem.

4/18/2012 10:13:00 AM

Joie and Cody are a rockin' photographer team. They did me right with my engagement photos.

I would really like to join in on this photography day. I have lots of fun things to play with but I dont know how to use it. I have four lenses and only use two, and a ton of filters that Ive never used. Id need someone there who can deal with someone who asks LOTS of questions.

4/18/2012 10:25:06 AM

Well if anybody has studio space, I have a full lighting kit, and a nice backdrop holder, but haven't got any good backdrops and no Pocket Wizards (still using a sync cable). I also have a remote setup that I use with some Nikon strobes, but it is only compatible with Nikon Commander. However if anybody shooting a Nikon wants to learn how to do that I would be glad to bring it out and set it up at Lake Crabtree or Umstead if we do this.

FYI the weekend of the 5th I am out of town. What about the weekend of the 19th?

4/18/2012 10:30:54 AM

Oh I agree, having a working team like Joie and Cody would be awesome, just not a necessity. Especially if there are a lot of people trying to work on some more basic issues like composition, proper exposure, lighting, etc.

Nighthawk Can you bring the lighting kit out with you? It may be fun to set- up for some highspeed portraits shots of bikers & runners, or to fill light against a bright sky with the lake or forest as a backdrop.

And elise, I think the nature of a group shoot is to ask lots of questions and learn from each other. I'd be happy to share what small expertise I have.

19th works for me. Anyone else? We can go ahead and set a time and place for a shoot and follow-up and start building some attendance.

[Edited on April 18, 2012 at 10:38 AM. Reason : ]

[Edited on April 18, 2012 at 10:38 AM. Reason : damn coding]

4/18/2012 10:35:09 AM

I could do the19th

4/18/2012 10:43:46 AM

I believe the 19th should be a good day for me

4/18/2012 10:46:25 AM

I was planning on bringing my strobes, but the White Lightnings need A/C power. Might be a problem at Crabtree or Umstead without lots of power cords. That said I could do it and would not mind as long as the weather is good. I don't have any softboxes, just umbrellas.

4/18/2012 10:53:40 AM

I may be able to drive down on May 19th as well, and bring some light modifiers and a set of Canon speedlights with HSS capable wireless triggers and a HSS-capable DC powered monolight that will work for Nikon peeps as well.

4/18/2012 1:13:25 PM

That reminds me, I also have 3 older strobes that will slave fire remotely, so they would be compatible with anything. Totally can bring them as well although I rarely use them due to have Nikon Commander readily available on my -600 & -800.

4/18/2012 1:16:33 PM

Sounds good. I'll be short on gear. I've got my own canon and lens, and hopefully by then a 580 strobe with small soft box and cord.

Would the white lightenings run off an car inverter? I may have someone joining us with some in the back of his truck.

You guys wanna shoot for just after sunrise or a few hours before sunset? That should give us some really quality light.

If we do a sunrise shoot I may get there early to try my hand at some early morning nature.

4/18/2012 1:31:30 PM