The super rating system in the new Lightroom is almost too expansive for me. I tend to rate my images differently from shoot to shoot depending on what the subject matter is and how many images I am going through.
Large weddings, for example get a star rating, or a reject flag:
X - Reject (flagged for deletion.)
1 Star - Acceptable, don't delete, Archive Only.
2 Stars - OK, Archive only, don't upload, DVD (if purchased).
3 Stars - Good image, deliver to client, put online.
4 Stars - Good+ to Very good image, Consider for album.
5 Stars - Great image, important moment caught well, consider for portfolio
Second run through consists going through all 3-starred images, then 4 and finally 5. Just to tweak and make sure every image is in its place. It helps when you see all of the images together in their 'class' together.
Smaller weddings may receive only a X (reject) flag, no flag, or P (favorite) pick flag. X images are deleted, Picks might be touched up a little, and images with no flag are uploaded with the picks.
For about every hour of shooting, I spend another hour online rating, reviewing, flagging, backing up, deleting, uploading, etc.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Baseball Action
Stop that baseball in it's tracks! It's a lot harder than it looks.
I have been working on covering the new Prospect League team in Hannibal, the Hannibal Cavemen. The Cavemen's home base is located in the newly renovated Clemens Field. The grandstands have been repaired only, not redone. This approach allows fans to sit in the old historic grandstands. Really neat stuff.
A team effort consisting of myself, and Larry Coleman have been covering the team, games, staff, fans, and even the mascots Shoeless Joe and his pal Rascal the Raccoon. We have come up with some great images together. This images are to be used for promotional media, advertising, website, and even prints for players to sign for fans. We are also planning on making baseball cards of each player, coach and a few staff members.
My 20D, although its files are not as large as the 5D2, shoots at a much faster rate. The 5 frames per second versus the 4 frames per second can make a difference here. That said, I have gotten a number of great images with the 5D2 simply by timing just right.
Most DSLRs have almost no shutter lag. Compared to a point and shoot, its almost zero. -But not quite. That little bit of shutter lag, as slight as it may be, can mean the difference between having the ball in your shot or not. This may cost you your money shot. The only way to get by this is to know your equipment. Know when you press the shutter when the actual image is taken on sensor. This can be a lot harder than it looks. Baseball can be a great way to practice and learn this notion about your camera.
I have been working on covering the new Prospect League team in Hannibal, the Hannibal Cavemen. The Cavemen's home base is located in the newly renovated Clemens Field. The grandstands have been repaired only, not redone. This approach allows fans to sit in the old historic grandstands. Really neat stuff.
A team effort consisting of myself, and Larry Coleman have been covering the team, games, staff, fans, and even the mascots Shoeless Joe and his pal Rascal the Raccoon. We have come up with some great images together. This images are to be used for promotional media, advertising, website, and even prints for players to sign for fans. We are also planning on making baseball cards of each player, coach and a few staff members.
My 20D, although its files are not as large as the 5D2, shoots at a much faster rate. The 5 frames per second versus the 4 frames per second can make a difference here. That said, I have gotten a number of great images with the 5D2 simply by timing just right.
Most DSLRs have almost no shutter lag. Compared to a point and shoot, its almost zero. -But not quite. That little bit of shutter lag, as slight as it may be, can mean the difference between having the ball in your shot or not. This may cost you your money shot. The only way to get by this is to know your equipment. Know when you press the shutter when the actual image is taken on sensor. This can be a lot harder than it looks. Baseball can be a great way to practice and learn this notion about your camera.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Book Me!
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
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
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.
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