Book{m} Online is a great new feature added by my lab. On my new personalized account page you can book Sean Rolsen Photography for all my different photography services, including senior portraits, wedding photography, and freelance work. You can pay online at time of booking with Paypal, or pay later on your own.
I have been working with Millers Labs for a few years now, and they never cease to amaze me with new great services and products I can offer to my clients. I can't wait to see what they come up with next.
To book me, or check out my schedule, visit my online bookm page here:
rolsenphoto.bookmonline.com
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
New Equipment ~ New Toys
I was able to get my hands on a new Canon 5D Mark II DSLR a few weeks ago. This is not a review of the camera, there are plenty of those out there already. I know because I read a ton of them before making the plunge.
Canon claims that the image sensor in this full frame camera is actually better than that of its current model flagship 1Ds Mark III. I was very glad to hear that. While discussing this camera with a photog friend of mine, he mentioned he believes the image quality has surpassed that of a medium format film camera. Generally speaking, I have been under the impression that if you had an image that was to be used for large scale printing, (perhaps a billboard) you needed a medium or large format camera. With current technology, you can size up an image from a camera like the 5D pretty huge. I can't wait to blow something up real big.
I plan on using this camera for portraits and images requiring a wide angle. It excells at producing detail, skin tones, high dynamic range, etc. Basically, perfect for a wedding. My old primary camera now becomes a backup in many situations. As Mr. Hobby says: "If your only camera goes out of commision, your not a photographer anymore." How true. Always have a backup everything.
Having more than one camera also alows you to work more quickly. No more having to change lenses so much, just carry two bodies. I have been keeping a telephoto on my 20D with the 1.6X crop, and wide angle lenses (mostly my new 17-40L f/4) on my 5D2. The 20D really like telephoto lenses since everything is automatically magnified by 1.6. The camera uses the "sweet spot" on the lens as an added bonus. The 5D2 is a full frame sensor camera that seems to like wide angle lenses. Especially with the built-in anti-vingetting feature in camera.
In conclusion: I love the new 5D. It really takes care of me, and you know I will be taking care of this new baby.
Canon claims that the image sensor in this full frame camera is actually better than that of its current model flagship 1Ds Mark III. I was very glad to hear that. While discussing this camera with a photog friend of mine, he mentioned he believes the image quality has surpassed that of a medium format film camera. Generally speaking, I have been under the impression that if you had an image that was to be used for large scale printing, (perhaps a billboard) you needed a medium or large format camera. With current technology, you can size up an image from a camera like the 5D pretty huge. I can't wait to blow something up real big.
I plan on using this camera for portraits and images requiring a wide angle. It excells at producing detail, skin tones, high dynamic range, etc. Basically, perfect for a wedding. My old primary camera now becomes a backup in many situations. As Mr. Hobby says: "If your only camera goes out of commision, your not a photographer anymore." How true. Always have a backup everything.
Having more than one camera also alows you to work more quickly. No more having to change lenses so much, just carry two bodies. I have been keeping a telephoto on my 20D with the 1.6X crop, and wide angle lenses (mostly my new 17-40L f/4) on my 5D2. The 20D really like telephoto lenses since everything is automatically magnified by 1.6. The camera uses the "sweet spot" on the lens as an added bonus. The 5D2 is a full frame sensor camera that seems to like wide angle lenses. Especially with the built-in anti-vingetting feature in camera.
In conclusion: I love the new 5D. It really takes care of me, and you know I will be taking care of this new baby.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Links, Ads, and You
When it comes to Photography, there are so many places to spend your advertising budget on, it is hard to know where to start. Even if you narrow your search down to Wedding Photography. It can be very difficult to know where and how to advertise. No matter how you look at it, and no matter how much you think you don't like it, the truth is you gotta do it.
Starting out, I have been looking for some free listings to get my domain out there. Having a redirect as my main domain for advertising makes it pretty tough for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). This mean I have to work a little extra harder for the technical side of the internet to see my www.rolsenphoto.com domain. The free listings are fine if you are a Google spider. However, no one really looks at the free listings unless there are just a few in your area. Even in the town of Hannibal (and often considering Quincy, IL) there are many artists who have also taken advantage of free (and paid) listings online. So, if you want to be seen by people, you'll want (almost need) a paid listing.
There is nothing wrong with having a paid listing. As long as you have an advertising budget. "Pass the buck." "Bill the client." I hate stuff like that. In order to keep costs down, you have to keep your expenses down. We shall see how that goes. In the meantime, I will do what I can to advertize and keep expenses low, to keep my prices low.
Starting out, I have been looking for some free listings to get my domain out there. Having a redirect as my main domain for advertising makes it pretty tough for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). This mean I have to work a little extra harder for the technical side of the internet to see my www.rolsenphoto.com domain. The free listings are fine if you are a Google spider. However, no one really looks at the free listings unless there are just a few in your area. Even in the town of Hannibal (and often considering Quincy, IL) there are many artists who have also taken advantage of free (and paid) listings online. So, if you want to be seen by people, you'll want (almost need) a paid listing.
There is nothing wrong with having a paid listing. As long as you have an advertising budget. "Pass the buck." "Bill the client." I hate stuff like that. In order to keep costs down, you have to keep your expenses down. We shall see how that goes. In the meantime, I will do what I can to advertize and keep expenses low, to keep my prices low.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Site Changes
So I changed my website. The site is SeanRolsen.com I didn't really do much with it before, and I certainly didn't log in that often. Nonetheless, I am paying for it, I might as well put something useful up there. It was just time, I guess. It needs work, but I don't need to tell you that. Hopefully, like this blog, it will remain an updated online presence. We shall see.
In the future, I would like to move my blog there, too. I don't know for sure what plans for the site lie ahead, but I do know that there a almost limitless possibilities. There is so much fun you can have with your own site! If you have any suggestions, hit me up in the comments.
In the future, I would like to move my blog there, too. I don't know for sure what plans for the site lie ahead, but I do know that there a almost limitless possibilities. There is so much fun you can have with your own site! If you have any suggestions, hit me up in the comments.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Paso Robles
Although it has been a while, I was recently at a photo workshop in the beautiful city of El Paso De Robles, California. The photography workshop was hosted by photographer Syl Arena. The instructor for the week-long class was David Hobby, AKA "Strobist", from strobist.com. David taught his first more-than-one-day class with us at the end of April. One of the great benefits of the workshop was the small class size; only 15 students total.
Here you see model Sophia from the Workshop. During this shoot we were in a small Victorian house in Downtown Paso Robles. The models were very patient with us as we were learning and practicing.
We learned about lighting, and then we shot. And then we learned some more, and then shot some more. It was definitively not an easy week. Fun, but not easy. I really strive in the crash course genre of learning due to my short attention span. Previously to the Paso Robles Workshop, I received all of my educational photo input from blogs (like Strobist.com), books (of which I will read 5 at a time!), DVD's, and online forums. The idea for this workshop was go go go. Overlearning and immersion in the subject matter. I have to say it works very well.
I made some friends, leaned a ton, and came home with new enthusiasm. I can't wait to use my new skills. Images from the shoot made it to the current model portfolio on my Wedding Photography site's "Model Portfolio". Check it out.
Here you see model Sophia from the Workshop. During this shoot we were in a small Victorian house in Downtown Paso Robles. The models were very patient with us as we were learning and practicing.
We learned about lighting, and then we shot. And then we learned some more, and then shot some more. It was definitively not an easy week. Fun, but not easy. I really strive in the crash course genre of learning due to my short attention span. Previously to the Paso Robles Workshop, I received all of my educational photo input from blogs (like Strobist.com), books (of which I will read 5 at a time!), DVD's, and online forums. The idea for this workshop was go go go. Overlearning and immersion in the subject matter. I have to say it works very well.
I made some friends, leaned a ton, and came home with new enthusiasm. I can't wait to use my new skills. Images from the shoot made it to the current model portfolio on my Wedding Photography site's "Model Portfolio". Check it out.
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