Photography Tech Talk ... Gear, Lighting, Studios, Resources, Etc. See Post#1.

[BetteT]

To find out which cameras some of the famous pros use ... you can see Photographers and their Cameras in the Behind the Lens forum ... which is not intended as a discussion about what will work for you ... it's strictly about who is using what gear.

To talk about digital cameras for consumer or personal use, go here, in the More Accessories forum: Best Digital Camera

But here is a great place to ask about the best cameras and gear for use by a pro shooter.

[ched]

I'm going to shoot some tests for the Italian agencies soon and it's January, so I can't use the streets too much. I checked on lebook.com and googled a ton, but have not been able to locate standard rental studios in Milan. Does anyone have a line on how to find them or recommendations for good shops with good rates?

[ched]

I shoot with a Pentax K10D and Polaroid 440, but I'm curious to see how many people in the pit at NY fashion week will be carrying the new Canon 5D Mark II rigs.

[lordevan]

Hi. For a while now, I've been thinking about blogging food and liquor. I think my writing is pretty good on the subject, but my photography skill and equipment sux. Im thinking about investing in a respectable camera now and was wondering what people recommend for taking pics of food and alcohol, specifically scotch and beer. I dont need a lot of zoom or video abilities, but I need a setup that can do well in the dark, since a lot of restaurants and bars have dim settings. I also need some advice on how to cheaply and effectively create a effective neutral back drop. And also advices on how to take picture of myself, since most of this kind of writing is done when I'm alone and bored. Any suggestions helps. Thanks.

[from: sophia]

Im Thinking about getting a Pentax 20D is it a good camera? I have read a ton of reviews but its nice to here from people that I know are real as opposed to consumer guides. It seems it would fit my needs I have been photographing with a Nikon D60 but it was only on loan.

[Mélodie Love]

This thread is so helpful!

[ched]

Originally Posted by from: sophia

Im Thinking about getting a Pentax 20D is it a good camera? I have read a ton of reviews but its nice to here from people that I know are real as opposed to consumer guides. It seems it would fit my needs I have been photographing with a Nikon D60 but it was only on loan.

It's supposedly being replaced by the K-7 at the end of this month.

I shoot Pentax mainly because I like the lighter smaller bodies, and because I have a significant investment into their lens system already. Going with Canon or Nikon would give you a lot more options, because once you buy into the glass, it's really hard to switch.

[from: sophia]

^ Thanks I still think I want to go with Pentax I just feel like its suited for me from all that I have read

[killerwail]

this is my first post..
I'll give my two cents..a quick two cents.

I would assume most are using Canon or Nikons in the field- In NZ the majority are rolling with Canons (particuarly 5d mk II). Unless you're fully setup (which is an expencive business to begin with) you should go with what studio/rental gear there is near you. Because having cameras that match their lenses is never a bad thing

On a higher end, most will be using Hasselblad V, Lachapelle uses a hasselblad- Mamiya isn't a bad choice either. But again, you're looking at 10k+ for a camera like that.

i'm talking digital here though. I think shooting film, is rather pointless for a job. Personal, i would go film over digital any day. But if it's a job, they're after the shots. a large variety of them. And you don't want to be processing hundreds of photos afterwards. Shooting digital is quicker, easier and if you set yourself up to be shooting tethered, your client can see the photos straight away and you can both work towards the final product.

As for lights,
Flash is the easier way to go, but if there is a point where I could use constant I would any day. Broncolor flashes are fantastic, as well as Kobold HMI's for constant/they're also daylight balanced and some are water resistant (you never know). but usually you will pay for bulb time. which can be expencive

maybe if anyone wants I can post pictures of setups and things.

[ThomasSing]

killerwail, I fully agree! I'm shooting with a D3x @ 24 MP, and I'm fully satisfied with it. For the few times when I need an even bigger resolution and ultimate quality, I rent a medium format.
My lighting equipment is all Broncolor, and (apart from Profoto) I know no other flashes that work more reliable and have a better performance.

But for all who are beginning with fashion photography, I suggest starting with a semi-pro model (like Nikon D300) or one of the smaller pro-models (D700) (or the resp. Canon bodies). You need time to try yourself. I shot my first 200 k digital pics with small cameras. And I still think that the lenses are more important than the bodies! Digital technology is developing that fast, you'll need a new body every 2 years, but you can work with a superior lens for >20 years.

[superstarjeans]

I'm doing my first ever photo shoot at the end of this month (modeling) & have a choice of having a black, white or grey backdrop. And I have no idea what would look best or if it even matters? Most of the photos will be B&W anyway but I just wanted someone with some experience to give me their opinion. Thanks!

[Imaginara]

Well, re. backgrounds. It all depends on what you want to express in contrast in the pictures, how much shadows & light you want to hit the subject etc. But some tips re. when to use what might be useful.

To get a white background, you need well first a white background, and then enough light on the background to create a proper separation. Usually 3 lights with two on the background and then one main light on the subject. How much the background needs to be overexposed to burn out to white depends on the media, film requires more than digital.

A grey background is great when you want a neutral background and your clothes go towards black or white. You can light it almost as hard as you want and the grey background will stay grey. This as opposed to a white background lit with only a main light which will turn towards white if you crank up the light power.

A black background you use when you want black (or dark grey) surroundings. Quite often this is used with dramatic lighting (deep shadows, high contrast) aswell and can be quite tricky. Remember that a black background (paper) lit with a lot of light will turn dark grey, not black so you need to control your light ratios carefully.

Some photographers like to claim that all you need is a white background and truly, there are instances when you can just go with a white background and create both white, grey and even black images from it. But then you also have the instances where you do need grey and black (as mentioned above). It all depends on which type of image you want to take.

So that would be the first thing you need to decide, second would be the lighting and third the background =)

Have fun on your shoot.

[digitalfrog]

or use a kermit green background, and do photoshop color separation work to keep only the model - then add whatever background you want ;-)

[digitalfrog]

Bring them to Amsterdam and you can shoot in my studio as much as you want to ;-)

Originally Posted by ched

I'm going to shoot some tests for the Italian agencies soon and it's January, so I can't use the streets too much. I checked on lebook.com and googled a ton, but have not been able to locate standard rental studios in Milan. Does anyone have a line on how to find them or recommendations for good shops with good rates?