I've been a professional fashion/portrait/editorial photographer for nearly two decades now, globally-published in various major magazines, have shot ad campaigns for major brands, covers for major record labels, etc., etc.

Of course my title is no revelation... of course someone who specializes in wild life, architecture, landscape, product, automotive, etc. photography will be (much) better in each of those respective genres. Bloody DUH.

And I'd done several family shoots throughout the years, even a couple of weddings...

But it's been a while, and bloody hell was I ever humbled today. I thought seeing as my bread and butter is working with people, that it'd be easy, no work at all... but the big difference is that in my domain, I work usually at a snails pace, all the time I want to get the shots I want... I get to tweak and dial in, not only settings, but my subjects- pose, pose, pose, until I'm content. It's a controlled environment.

Today I promised two different sets of friends that I'd snap some family photos for them as it was a picture-perfect fall day where we live, and it was just CHAOS.

First family shoot, two kids aged 2.5 & 6, they were like energizer rabbits, never once sitting still, completely averse to any direction, not even open to being pled with (i.e. will buy you ice cream if you sit still for three minutes). Second shoot went marginally better, a very calm two year old, but eventually his boredom came through, he became restless, and that was that.

A very humbling, but fun and enjoyable experience, as I was there just as much for the hang as the photos- thankfully zero pressure from any of my friends of course... but the idea of doing this for money, delivering these photos for pay, terrified me. There are certainly some good shots in there, but the hit rate is so infinitely much lower than my usual stuff.

Couples/engagement shoots, wedding portraits, etc. are zero problem for me, as adults are okay at sitting still, posing, taking direction, but introduce kids and they're like these unpredictable elements of chaos which turns everything upside down, haha- I love it!

It's not the first time I feel deflated about my performance in a different genre of photography, and it's just a reminder that, again, just because you're good at one genre doesn't mean you will be at another- I sometimes got that kind of false confidence... not thinking I'd be 'strong' in an area other than mine, but at least decent... and with, for example, interior and architectural photography, as well as landscape stuff, yeah, even just decent is a far way away!

I do love the idea of practicing and learning something new though, so it's a welcome challenge.

I will say, anytime I've done these family or couples shoots, I've always ended up enjoying them most, as it's just "real people", often friends, and it ends up being a fun hang.

Anyways, my utmost respect to those of you who specialize in family photography- it's no easy thing.

Just thought I’d give people a heads up in case they were factoring that warranty period into their purchasing decisions. Found this out through their support after I had already purchased one and since it’s still being advertised as having a 3 year warranty next to the “Add to Cart“ button I thought I’d raise a flag.

Ich gestalte ein Fotobuch, das ich jährlich neu erstellen möchte, um mein Leben, meine Reisen, sportlichen Aktivitäten und alltägliche Momente festzuhalten. Bevor ich die erste Ausgabe veröffentliche, würde ich mich über Feedback zum Layout und zur Struktur freuen. Besonders hilfreich wären mir Anregungen zu folgenden Punkten: Seitenlayout und das Verhältnis von Einzelfotos zu Collagen, kurzen Bildunterschriften oder Untertiteln/Ortsangaben? Chronologische Struktur versus thematische Kapitel Bildunterschriften, Datums- und Ortsangaben Einheitlichkeit versus Vielfalt auf den Seiten Alles, was sich bei der jährlichen Neuauflage wiederholen oder unpraktisch gestalten könnte Was würden Sie ändern oder berücksichtigen, bevor Sie sich langfristig für dieses Format entscheiden?

ChatGPT Zusammenfassung meines Designs:

Aktuelle Konfiguration Format: CEWE XL, 30 × 30 cm Umfang: ca. 80 Seiten Stil: Klar und strukturiert, aber nicht extrem minimalistisch Designansatz: Durchgängiges Raster, großzügiger Weißraum, wenige wiederverwendbare Layouts und kurze Bildunterschriften Ziel: Eine Buchreihe erstellen, die im Regal ein stimmiges Gesamtbild ergibt und gleichzeitig den individuellen Charakter jedes Jahres widerspiegelt. Geplante Kapitelstruktur 1. Einleitung – 6 Seiten Cover mit Jahreszahl Erste Doppelseite mit einem aussagekräftigen Foto Kurzer Jahresüberblick Top 5 Momente Moodboard / Visuelle Zusammenfassung 2. Q1 – 16 Seiten Viertelbeginn Eine Mischung aus ganzseitigen Fotos, Berichten über Ereignisse und Fotogalerien Kurze Bildunterschriften mit Datum, Ort oder Kontext Abschlussbild 3. Q2 – 16 Seiten Gleiche Struktur und visuelle Regeln wie Q1 Flexibler Platz für Reisen, Ereignisse, Alltag und Menschen 4. Q3 – 18 Seiten Etwas mehr Platz für Sommer, Urlaub und größere Reisen Mehr ganzseitige Bilder und fotografische Erzählungen Weniger dichte Collagen 5. Q4 – 16 Seiten Gleiche Grundstruktur wie Q1 und Q2 Saisonale Ereignisse, Reisen, Menschen und Alltagsmomente Abschlussbild 6. Jahresendteil – 8 Seiten Die besten Fotos des Jahres Freunde und Familie Jahresstatistik Schöne Momente / Outtakes Kurze persönliche Reflexion Abschlussbild und Übergang zum nächsten Jahr Wiederverwendbares Layoutsystem Ich plane, das gesamte Buch auf fünf Vorlagen aufzubauen: Hero: ein großes, dominantes Foto Story: ein Hauptbild, ergänzt durch kleinere Fotos Raster 4: vier gleich große Bilder Raster 6: sechs Bilder für Ereignisse oder kurze Sequenzen Fokus + Text: ein großes Foto kombiniert mit einem kurzen Textblock Das visuelle System bleibt über alle Jahre hinweg konsistent: dieselbe Typografie, Ränder, Abstände, Raster und Kapitelstruktur. Die Fotos, der Inhalt und gegebenenfalls eine Akzentfarbe variieren.

Jahresstatistik Ein wiederkehrendes Element ist eine separate Statistikseite mit der gleichen Struktur in jedem Jahr. Mögliche Kategorien sind Reisen, Sport, Kultur und persönliche Highlights – zum Beispiel besuchte Länder, zurückgelegte Radstrecken, Trainingseinheiten, Lieblingsmusik, bestes Essen und schönster Moment.

Die Bücher sollen nicht nur Fotosammlungen sein, sondern auch die Unterschiede zwischen den einzelnen Jahren dokumentieren.

Wozu ich Feedback benötige:

Ist die vierteljährliche Struktur sinnvoll, oder würden Sie das Buch chronologisch nach Monaten oder Ereignissen gliedern?

Ist ein 80-seitiges Buch im Format 30 × 30 cm ein guter Kompromiss, oder würden Sie ein anderes Format oder eine andere Länge wählen?

Bietet der separate Jahresendteil einen Mehrwert, oder würden Sie die Highlights und Statistiken in die Hauptkapitel integrieren?

Wie würden Sie das Verhältnis zwischen ganzseitigen Bildern, Collagen und kurzen Bildunterschriften verbessern?

Was würden Sie für jedes Jahr standardisieren, und was bliebe flexibel?

Ich bin besonders an Feedback zur Gesamtstruktur und langfristigen Nutzbarkeit interessiert, weniger an einzelnen Fotos. Ziel ist es, ein System zu schaffen, dessen Pflege jedes Jahr Freude bereitet, ohne dabei eintönig oder übermäßig starr zu werden.

Photo editing software such as Lightroom, ON1 Photo RAW, etc. are non destructive. So when you open a RAW file in these applications, the changes you make are not affecting the source RAW file.

But, I'd like to actually crop some RAW files before editing. I'm using a 102 megapixel Fujifilm GFX100FR and the large size of the RAW files is pushing my laptop's abilities to the limit. If I could crop certain RAW files before editing, the file size would be reduced, putting less of a strain on my hardware.

Ideas?

I just got this new set of both camera and lenses. I got the Lumix G70 and Lumix GH2 (I know they're old) and the kit lense Lumix 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 I think, Lumix 14-140mm f/4.0-5.6 and the Lumix 100-300mm f/4.0-6.8 or something like that, I'm on the buss rn.

Anyway, when I'm adjusting the aperture of the 100-300mm lense I can hear the blades move, this is only at higher F stops but I can hear them. I checked if there was any residue on the blades or uneveness or something like that, but the blades look identical to the other lenses, in terms of cleansliness etc...

Why could they be making this noise? I did try to see if they were sticking by bursting at a High f stop (f/22) and they were keepinh up perfectly with high shutterspeeds, and yet they still make noise, now the pattern of the bursting changes depending on if I have Constant View on or off, but the actual photos are consistent and clean, no inconsitensies?

Is there something wrong with my lense or is it fine? Can I continue using it or should I buy a new one?

Hi,

Im responsible for setting up a photoshoot for a painting project. I need to take my own reference photos for a figure painting.

to preface:
I do not know the first thing about photography/lighting equipment. I have access to a relatively old but professional camera (im sorry i dont know what specific model) as well as studio lights (the adjustable height ones with the black cloth around the bulb to direct the light.) i dont think i have a diffuser. I also have overhead lights and a large room to work with

if you can, please walk me through the general process of setting up an environment to take photos in. Im looking for relatively standard, natural lighting, mimicking a room with overhead north facing windows.

Please let me know if i didnt cover everything, again I really dont know what im talking about, I come from a painting background so Im trying my best. Thank you so much to anyone who helps.

Anyone have a recommendation for a TV to display years of photos?

I’m looking at the frame and Canvas TVs but both seem to have their issues.

Have you achieved something you'd like to share with the class? Here's your place to pat yourself on the back and share in others' successes!

Note: This is a photography community to discuss techniques and issues as photographers, not a space to showcase tools or gear. Any form of advertising or self-promotion outside of showcasing photos or projects in the appropriate thread is prohibited. Any web-development projects or apps are prohibited as they do not relate to practise of photography.

Hey everyone...I'd like to turn my photos into shareable photozines and photobooks with custom layouts consisting of photos and text.

Are there any apps that do that? I've seen a canva app and some business-oriented ones that produce sales collateral but nothing that quite fits what I'd like. Browser-based ideally but phone is okay too. Thanks!

Sean Tucker recently did a really great video on photographing what you love and not photographing what you think other people will find impressive or enjoy. The question he posed is "What would happily take an afternoon to make photographs of if you were unconcerned with the results and the opinions of others?", but I cant answer that, does anyone have any advice on how to move forward?

So I’m new to this and not getting paid yet, but I want to make sure when I show my portfolio to people I don’t get accused of stealing others work. I would never do that, but ppknow how easily images can be taken and credit stolen if you don’t have an established, strong reputation and portfolio

I don’t know how to use photoshop yet (working on it) so I don’t know how to watermark yet

Is there a way to publicly post pictures to record that I was the original photographer, and pull that proof easily? Like a catalogue with credentials to submit to before posting on Facebook or other social media sites?

I am new to photography so please consider that if this question comes off ignorant, because it is by context alone. Currently I have the impression that macro lenses are more 1:1, typically able to shoot up to very close distances from the lense against the subject, and I’ve generally seen the lense selection approach F/2~3 territory with focal lengths spanning 50-100mm most commonly.

It is also to my assumption from random reading I’ve done that tighter lenses or greater mm stats do not need to bend light as much and result in an easier time achieving simpler lenses around 50mm, sharper outputs, and less fisheye+vignetting as opposed to rectilinear wide lenses below 50mm as an arbitrary range.

To that note, am I assuming some things wrong and if so please let me know; secondarily or primary to this post, what focal length would be the most straight through the frame? I am looking to get a lense for use in close-up copy stand work so straight lines are the priority, but enough frame to cover a full document is the other priority to consider. I also use a full frame sensor camera body for reference.

I know people use 50mm to balance some compression and a wide-ish view, economies of scale makes it cheaper, cool middle focal length, it’s easier to manufacture vs extreme ends of focal lengths, etc. However it bugs me a bit as to why 85-100mm macros are a thing since I don’t understand lenses really much at all and I have the assumption that they’d lend to a more zoomed in telephoto presentation instead of flat medium distance, but what do I know really. Macros and millimeters, I think my understanding is generally just incomplete regarding lense type and focal length characteristics.

Hi everyone,

Any recommendations on where to sell an expensive camera?

I have a limited edition camera that, per google, is worth 4+ grand.

1.Trade-in sites like KEH, for example, quoted me for around $2k less than what it is worth.

1. Ebay takes a 13.6% fee, amounting to several hundreds of dollars.

2. FredMiranda seemed like a good alternative, but new users are seen as less trustworthy, and I have not sold any cameras before.

3. I don't have enough karma for r/photomarket 😭

If this were a cheaper camera, I would not worry about the loss from 1. and 2. too much, but given that the difference may very well exceed $1000 based on the platform, I would like to know how I can best navigate this. Thanks!

Has anyone ever traveled with a light in their carry-on? I have a Nanlite FS-300B that I want to keep in my backpack, will I be allowed to fly? It plugs into an outlet so no batteries but it does have an internal fan.

I also want to take my Ronin sc-2 which I think is more believable to take on a plane, but with both would I have any problems?

Need to rant about something in the photography world? Here’s your safe space to be as salty as you want without judgement.

Get it all* off your chest!

^{*Let’s just keep the personal attacks and witch hunts out of it, k?}

Full schedule of our weekly community threads:

In 2005, photographer Robert Clark (National Geographic, Friday Night Lights) traveled across the US for two months shooting with a Sony Ericsson S710a, a flip phone with a 1.3MP camera.

Once a year I visit my friend in Seattle.

We do a photo walkabout, but the photos are rubbish: us hanging out in bars, the ferry, that waterfall that's famous, the cafe from Twin Peaks (What a TRIP getting coffee there)...

It's a blast, but the photos we make feel pointless other than us marking time.

Any ideas how we could make this annual meetup and walkabout closer to art? Have meaning? Become a collaborative jam session with direction?

—

Not that it matters, but...

Him: Fuji XT1 (the OG, baby!) + 50mm equivalent. (respect)

Me: Nikon d700 + 35-70mm kit lens.

Hello! Looking for some advice long time lurker first time poster .… I am a mom of two and have been doing sports photography for my kids teams. I have fallen in love with the subject matter and want to improve my skills and my gear but don’t wanna continue to throw money away only to regret my purchase. I feel like undergrad community college ain’t it… I took a few in my 20s- a film/Darkroom and one photoshop intro. does anyone have any real experience on how to start over late in life and really call myself a professional I have been shooting like crazy and I know that’s the best way to learn, but if I’m going to make a go at this, I really wanna be able to offer my clients professional service not just another hack job. There are so many cookie cutter photographers, boudoir, photographers, etc. that’s not what I’m interested in. But I would like to improve my technique so I can continue to capture these moments of my kids. Also, I am considering expanding my current services. I do real estate photography and I have a Canon R 50 and a few cheap lenses. I’ve been limping by with. I think I want toshoot sports photography and portraits more. I would love any kind advice.

Hello everyone,

Does anyone have any advice on what settings to use in an indoor arena? I’m an amateur trying to get into show photography. Any advice is appreciated:) currently using a canon EOS 7D and Powershot sx70 HS.

Looking to end my time with Adobe for many reasons, tried to cancel today but they tell me I would need to pay them £100ish in order to cancel the subscription. anyone else found this issue and, if so, what did you do to get past it, other than paying the money?

I have a few negatives of family photos that might be around 100 years old. They measure 4"x5" (3) and one measures 3.5" x 4"

Does anyone know anyone in/around/near NYC that has the skills and equipment to turn these into prints, or at least good quality digital images?

I'm sure I could send these off to some processor somewhere, but given their age and family history, I'd rather not take the risk of losing them in the process.

EDIT: Several people mentioned LTI Lightside, so that's where I went. Dropped them off a few hours ago. Thanks, reddit.

I used to use Printique for a long time to get prints but moved away when I setup a website with built in ordering. I just had a customer reorder 3 dozen cards they had me print for them a few years ago and I had printed with printique. I just went back to printique and hit the reorder button.

Well a week later I got a box... with 1 dozen cards in it. I called them up and after a long call and a while on hold they agreed to send me the 2 missing dozen and expidite them now that things were getting delayed.

Another week later I got another box from them... with 1 dozen cards in them. Called back and they kept putting me on hold. I had to repeat, yes all I got was 1 more dozen and they would put me on hold again, and again and again. They finally agreed to send the last dozen to me and when I said again that this is ridiculous they just said... This is the last one so you're good now.

It seems like their service really went down hill while I was gone, and moving away from them was a good idea.

I found a full box of photographic paper in a dumpster outside a house in my neighborhood, I believe they were clearing out from a previous tenant. Is there anything I can do with it without having to buy anything else? I’m thinking like a pinhole camera but I’d have no idea where to start.

I have 100 sheets of 8x10 inch glossy photographic paper, when I open the box the sheets are in a black opaque bag that I’m afraid to open. But I really didn’t want them to end up in a landfill if they were somehow useful. They are Ilford brand “MGIV Multigrade IV RC Deluxe” if that means anything. The price sticker says they sold for $90 so I really don’t want that going to waste.

Thanks for any help or guidance, and forgive any apparent ignorance, I have no idea what I’m talking about :)