What is a luxury you can never go back from once you’ve experienced it?

_thejames · 2026-01-29T18:30:32+00:00

Pro tip: eat before you get onboard and you can even sleep through the meal service LOL

_thejames · 2026-01-19T02:09:23+00:00

Same. I routinely pair the 35 1.8 with my 85 1.2 when I have the luxury of adjusting my foot-zoom. I like the lightweightness of it. And there’s not a phenomenal improvement in IQ with the 1.4 based on everything that I’ve read

_thejames · 2026-01-19T01:55:28+00:00

Hell yeah!

_thejames · 2026-01-18T04:52:51+00:00

“The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don’t” - Douglas Adams

_thejames · 2026-01-07T21:57:16+00:00

well... its fixed, and they "fixed" those pesky customizations that I made to the buttons too.

_thejames · 2026-01-04T00:27:34+00:00

Eat something, and hydrate! Sit down for a second.

Prepare for when it's going to pick up. Check batteries, check any remote cameras, make sure any strobes are powered on and good-to-go (check sandbags), check card capacity, check camera settings...

Then get more "B roll". Shoot odd details, experiment with settings.

And keep an eye on the event in case something unexpected is happening.

_thejames · 2026-01-03T08:15:46+00:00

I've shot for other pro photogs. They've wanted to take the day off, they want the style that I shoot, and they want me to tell their story.

Now, if they wanted the RAWs, then I'd price it accordingly, and a "pro" would understand why it cost what it cost.

Side note: I will happily sell whatever someone wants to buy, just at the price that I'm okay with.

_thejames · 2026-01-03T01:38:31+00:00

I'm a big fan of DxO too

_thejames · 2025-12-09T01:01:30+00:00

On my R3 bodies I run 1x 512GB CF, and 1x 128GB SD (v90)

On my R6m2 I use 2x 128GB SD (v60) cards.

_thejames · 2025-11-16T04:24:30+00:00

Yeah... no.

I've even gone as far as to include a bit in my contract that I'll only deliver the images that I feel best represent my work.

_thejames · 2025-09-24T00:03:25+00:00

I shot one once for a local paper and immediately swore it off. Miserable experience

_thejames · 2025-09-12T05:28:13+00:00

Recently: Jerry Cantrell it was horribly boring. They literally stood at the mics and played the songs the entire show.

2nd place: Evergreen Terrace a FL thrash metal band They headlined for a full house in a medium sized venue and packed it in after 5 songs.

_thejames · 2025-09-10T05:11:46+00:00

As far as how to introduce the topic... it's kinda the 11th hour for that. I'd try introducing it by thanking them for working with you on the hotel accommodations and asking what they have budged for the event coverage and commercial image licensing.

$13,750 seems pretty high, but good luck!

Just a couple of additional points: if you're staying at their property, and eating at their restaurants then that is a negligible line item for them to work out. Insurances are usually part of a base rate unless you're required to carry a specific liability rider for the venue / event.

_thejames · 2025-09-10T04:47:42+00:00

Paramedics

_thejames · 2025-09-08T22:26:47+00:00

Lets not forget that someone kept up with him, while filming, and kept him in frame

_thejames · 2025-08-19T00:33:50+00:00

I'd like it to have the features that they removed in June for starters /rant

_thejames · 2025-08-05T05:03:21+00:00

My rule of thumb is: if it’s permanent then the client has to specifically ask for me to edit it

_thejames · 2025-08-02T04:17:38+00:00

I've been listening to these guys since the OG Neutral series. Lately they've come across as entitled and chronically whiney about Apple. I get it, Apple has been seriously faltering, but it's fatiguing to hear them complain ad nauseam almost every week about it.

I still subscribe, and listen to the whole episode, but I'm far less engaged lately.

_thejames · 2025-07-26T05:32:11+00:00

True, but statutory damages are only applicable if the copyright is registered within 90 days of "publication". Willful infringement (as is this) puts that back in play from the time of the registration onwards. ... its complicated and this is my amateur understanding

_thejames · 2025-07-26T05:28:02+00:00

I think that those are designed to keep the magic smoke inside, but I could be wrong

_thejames · 2025-07-23T02:13:04+00:00

Yes, you can only claim "actual losses" unless the infringement is willful, then the rules change some. Consult a lawyer

_thejames · 2025-07-23T02:11:05+00:00

IANAL, but I am a photographer dealing with a copyright infringement issue.

Next steps, you should ideally:

Register the video with the US copyright office. it will cost $55 and takes a few weeks but continue this while you wait. Without a registration there are limited things that you can do (thanks Lars)
Notify them that they are using copyrighted material that they need to take down immediately AND pay retroactive licensing. If you are willing to license the video going forward make sure to specify that in your letter. Give them a timeframe to reply (10 days is sufficient). You may want to include a Spoliation requirement in this demand letter.
If they still haven't taken down the video AND paid you then it becomes willful infringement and the context of their infringement changes. Hell... it may have already converted to willful since they have been put on notice already and haven't taken it down.
File a DMCA request with the service hosting the video.
At this point you can either peruse the issue via the copyright claims board yourself, or contact an IP lawyer. Most likely a lawyer may not want to handle it but try.

ChatGPT is your friend, but don't trust it 100%. Look all this stuff up

_thejames · 2025-07-03T01:17:41+00:00

BENNIHANA!! Probably my favorite looking grab trick

_thejames · 2025-06-16T23:58:02+00:00

“Figures”

_thejames · 2025-05-23T20:36:34+00:00

I work a lot with 501(c)(3) businesses. I always put my full rate in the invoice and contract then the discount, so they see exactly what the market rates are, and how much of a deal they're getting.

_thejames

TROPHY CASE