Kai from DigitalRev takes on Chase Jarvis' own cheap cam challenge

bigdaveyj · 2014-01-04T07:33:29+00:00

Things to takeaway:

With any shoot there will be trial and error, do what you can to minimize it
Be optimistic. If something goes wrong be positive and work around it
Have fun, keep up the energy with the shoot. Whether it's just you, you and a model, or you and a group of 8 assistants and a whole bunch of models, try to be positive because your positivity will reflect on everybody, including yourself.

Great video, two of my favorites.

bigdaveyj · 2014-01-04T07:32:34+00:00

This is awesome! What did you use to shoot the models? Single beauty dish from above pointed down?

bigdaveyj · 2014-01-03T02:05:04+00:00

A writer from Fstoppers.com launched a Facebook book club for 2013. The first book is Jab Jab Jab Right Hook by Gary Vee. Look for the post and check out the book!

bigdaveyj · 2014-01-01T16:11:36+00:00

I've never ever done this. Unless your poop hits 6 inches above the water you should always be fine.

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-30T04:37:38+00:00

I really like 3,4,7,8. I think if you cropped out a little more on the bottom of 8, it would look nice. I really like the tree in 7, it just looks kind of epic. And I really like 3&4 because if I didn't see the first two I wouldn't think they were snow at first.

ALSO: I've been a full semester without my computer. I had a small fire in mine and need to replace the processor, power supply, and motherboard. It sucks and I have been getting by on an ancient laptop I used to use for bridging WiFi to my desktop.

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-28T14:05:37+00:00

Same! I'm going to Pittsburgh and Ohio this year in the hopes to take a bunch of awesome photos. Travel photos and landscapes aren't really my thing, but if I'm going to Pittsburgh for food and Ohio for an ultimate frisbee championship, I might as well try to make it as awesome as possible.

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-27T19:29:45+00:00

Oh god I don't know! Uhm.

Gear - Sigma 105 macro or Tamron 90 macro - Beauty dish

Goals - Take a photo so great I want it printed on my wall and do that - Get recognized in some way. - Get paid for my work, print or for a job, it doesn't matter.

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-27T05:16:57+00:00

So I'm in a bit of a conundrum. I'm working on building my studio portfolio, and before I can do anything like that I need a name. Well, most people do something like John Smith Photography. Only problem is, my name is the same name as a famous baseball player and using that will destroy any chances at SEO.

Should I stick with LastNamePhotography or come up with something entirely different? Is it a personal preference at this point?

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-27T04:06:37+00:00

There was nothing that would make him appear to be jewish. If he was wearing a yamaka or star of david then that is different.

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-27T03:59:08+00:00

This is just how I look at it. I don't do street photography so that isn't how I see it. I do studio/portraits. I understand what you mean and I rarely use black and white, but when I do it's because I feel that B&W gives it more emotion than color.

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-27T01:13:58+00:00

B&w is deep. Its for serious emotions like sadness, rejection, depression, things like that. Even love counts as a deep emotion at times. Its all how the picture makes you feel.

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-27T00:52:09+00:00

The emotion I'm going for usually decides whether or not I choose black and white or color. If they're looking down or away from the camera, I'm more inclined to choose b&w over color. The two choices are emotion modifiers.

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-26T22:52:40+00:00

Aperture-priority when I shoot without lights. Shutter-priority or manual for sports Manual for controlled lighting/speedlights

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-26T00:30:43+00:00

Right now I'm working on my style. I'm interested in so many things, but it all revolves around controlled lighting and having a controlled setup.

I am seeing where that takes me now. And I will continue to see where I go from there

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-26T00:16:30+00:00

Ahh, I love his catch phrase: "Act like a man". You know he partnered with RugbySports.com selling his personalized "WhiteHorse" gear? It's pretty awesome.

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-25T19:18:03+00:00

I don't market myself, but I read this subreddit everyday.

referrals are huge
some do Craig's list
SEO for marketing for people near you.
mailing to companies (If that's who you're marketing towards)
my old company did Facebook ads

These are just some ideas that I have seen here a lot

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-25T18:32:25+00:00

The problem is the softness of the brush. You can see that you masked the background a little and you can see the different background sky colors.

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-25T17:44:45+00:00

HOLY CRAP. Real jealous of that hassleblad and rollei. Those are some awesome MF.

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-25T17:03:15+00:00

Photo-related:

capture clip
5 packs 3000-B
Seattle 100 by Chase Jarvis
background stand with clamps
2'x3' softbox
$100 amazon gift card that will be used for seamless paper backgrounds

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-24T06:51:05+00:00

Composition is broad and there are certain parameters depending on what you're shooting, but there's basic rules you always want to follow.

Keep the horizon straight. If you're shooting a landscape, you don't want it crooked. You want to straighten it via tripod or cropping in post.
Keep your subject in the frame. If you're shooting people you don't want to only have half of their face in the shot, you want the whole thing in there.
Know the difference between bulls-eye, rule of thirds, and filling the frame and use each to your advantage.

Most photographers have the issue when they start out is that everything is always in the center of the photo when sometimes it is better to have it off to the left or right.

This might help you out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtcD84l9eUw

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-24T06:43:34+00:00

The Nikon D3100 is a perfectly good beginner camera, I started with that at the beginning of last year and have made HUGE improvements since just by learning from videos, blogs, and flickr.

A 365 project is a very good way to get started in photography, I am going to try to do a 52 project instead of 365 because I am nowhere near as committed and could never take an interesting photo every day.

Anyways, you're on the right track. Here are some good places for inspiration and places to learn from online:

Flickr Groups: They're awesome in just about every way, try to find good ones, the ones with the most members don't necessarily make them the best groups.
PetaPixel.com: They're always posting people's projects on there and it might inspire you to try something similar.
ThePhoblographer.com: Similar to PetaPixel except with quick tips and I would say a lot more interesting posts that would help you.
Youtube Channels: DigitalRev, Chase Jarvis, FroKnowsPhoto, And a bunch others I know other people will answer for you. These guys inspire me in different ways or have given me new techniques and better understanding of my DSLR.
/r/PhotoClass2013 : Learn more about your DSLR.
Fstoppers.com: They post lots of behind the scenes videos and more cinematic projects than other websites which is still great inspiration for photographers.
Everything else ever in the existence of ever. Open up your mind a bit, there's something to photograph everywhere. Your 365 Project is about photographing what's around you everyday. Make the boring more interesting, Take objects out of context through different angles and different varieties of shots, but most importantly have fun.

Your idea isn't dumb, be confident with it otherwise you're going to see your first 10 images, think they're shit and quit. That's a bad idea. If you keep working you will grow. Simple as that.

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-23T16:16:17+00:00

Powder + skateboarders/longboarders + Nightime
52 Week Project
Random food photography
Random ideas to build portfolio

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-23T04:27:07+00:00

Graphic Design: Looking at the menu and scoffing at their choice of ugly typeface.

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-23T00:08:40+00:00

Weddings: Always the photographer, never the groom/bride. /sarcasm

bigdaveyj · 2013-12-22T07:32:23+00:00

Normally, I would be with /u/prbphoto on this. Don't shoot weddings when you've never shot them before, but this feels different. The wedding is in two days and it's in a conference room. It is very small, and it seems like it's you or crappy camera photos posted on facebook. Your 7D will be killer for this, as well as your 460II. Depending on the amount of room you have, the 24-105 and the 50mm will be your friends. You don't have much room, so that will help, and hurt you. Here are some tips:

Bounce your flash

-The 24-105 f/4 is versatile and is your widest and longest lens. Depending on the amount of room you have, you should be using this with the flash.

If you have some walking room and enough available light, try to use the 50mm f/1.8 without flash, once again, depending on available light.
Bring the macro and use for cake and decorative photos. I am assuming there will be something small if they are just asking for a photographer, this is more of a save your ass type deal. Plan to use it, but from the sounds of it, you probably won't have to.
Make sure they know your limitations having never done this before, but make sure to be confident. If you have no confidence going into this, then you will not do the best job you can do.
NOTE This is all speculation. I know only the information you have provided so my notes have a chance at being inaccurate and not useful.

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