First Paid Job, Related Questions

KarinaB1970 · 11th of January 2006 (Wed)

Hi Everyone,

I just did my first paid job. The gentleman that I did the job for is an international entertainer, a bubbleologist. This was a commercial job, not a "portrait" shoot by any means. The focus/star was the bubbles and his performance, not him specifically.

My biggest question is....how long would you expect 650 photos to take to post process for proofs. It took me an avg. of 2 min. per photo to open, enlarge, brighten (to see good bubble definition) and sharpen. Also, batch resizing and uploading to the web for viewing. Is this unreasonable?

I understand that many who do studio work such as portrait or glamour may not have this kind, if any, post processing necessary prior to sharing the proofs with the client. Working with bubbles was definitely a challenge with lighting (to make the bubble really stand out) and of course bubbles popping, not properly forming or being positioned correctly, etc.

Really looking for thoughts on post processing and proofs. While not one of the most difficult to shoot, here is one of the images I made on Monday of his new protege, Harry:

Thanks for your input!

KarinaB1970 · 11th of January 2006 (Wed)

Since I am very shy about posting my proofs, here is one that was post processed. Actually, I would say it was a bit more...."retouched." His banner that was attached to the stage curtains was not the same color "black" as the curtain and some extra work had to be done there. This is "the man" in action. While there is guaranteed to be someone to point out that the bubble is over his eye...yes, this is true, and that was avoided as much as possible, but the focus of the shoot was really his bubbles...they were the star...and he was to be "performing."

symes · 12th of January 2006 (Thu)

That second one is awesome...I can't answer many of your questions but that is unreal...

my proofs for my one paid shoot were not processed at all...I waited until the family picked the photos they wanted and then I processed those images...if there were a few I thought the family missed out on then I went and I processed those pictures...

Cheers,

KarinaB1970 · 12th of January 2006 (Thu)

Here is a link to the images he currently has displayed on his website taken by other professional photographers, not by me (mine are not up yet, though will be replacing most of these):

http://www.bubblemania.com/amazing-photos/

I had to redo most of these to update his more mature, but still fun image

Here are some of mine:

PhotosGuy · 12th of January 2006 (Thu)

Quote:

how long would you expect 650 photos to take to post process for proofs. It took me an avg. of 2 min. per photo to open, enlarge, brighten (to see good bubble definition) and sharpen.

These are proofs, right? So shoot RAW. 2 minutes to adjust parameters on one shot. 1 minute to apply the changes to all 649 others. A few minutes to type the invoice.

OK, if you change the lighting, it will take a few minutes longer, but you get the idea.

KarinaB1970 · 12th of January 2006 (Thu)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhotosGuy

These are proofs, right? So shoot RAW. 2 minutes to adjust parameters on one shot. 1 minute to apply the changes to all 649 others. A few minutes to type the invoice.

OK, if you change the lighting, it will take a few minutes longer, but you get the idea.

ARRGGHHH! Are you telling me it should have taken me 12 mintues and NOT 12 hours?!?!

I found this to be a kind of unique situation, but perhaps Im just niave.

Because you could not see the bubble detail in the original images, I opened each one... enlarged it and lightened it to see if it was a keeper, then made a couple of changes to make the bubble pop out if it was.

Could I have batch processed? Maybe. I didnt think it was really an option for two main reasons, one being the bubble detail issue and the other being that the lighting was constantly changing as he was constantly moving from one end of the room to the next, some wide angle shots, some close up, etc. I guess I could have saved some time by doing small batches...or at least batching the groups that required many more shots.

I would estimate that he did 40-50 different "stunts" which put him all over the place. Being a high energy guy trying to fit a lot in a little time, I was constantly moving with him trying to keep up with the lighting and all.

You wouldnt give your client the 650 shots to choose from and make him go through them all, would you? Perhaps you could with products, portraits, etc., but with bubbles, some shots dont even have bubbles in them (popped)...not sure I would want the client to be bothered with that. I got it down to 225 images that are of good quality, and I feel like maybe I should narrow it down some more!

Im sooo confused LOL I do appreciate your reply and any additional thoughts/comments you do provide

snibbetsj · 12th of January 2006 (Thu)

This is the main reason I shoot RAW + small JPEG. If I work right and get good exposures, I don't have to any pp for proof. I just print out a (few hundred) 4x6s right from the camera. I don't necessarily print out ALL the shots, I do cull for bad exposure, missed focus, etc. The client picks the shots they want then I only have to work on the final prints. Saves a bunch of time (for me)

goatee · 12th of January 2006 (Thu)

Otherwise, you go through the shots - and if it's not a keeper delete it, and if it is drag the exposure slider to it's approximately correct. Then using whatever software you have (assuming it has this function, and if not, get Raw Shooter Premium ASAP), select all the keeper shots, and tell your RAW processing software to generate proofs. This should cut the time down to around 10-20 seconds per image, then whilst it's generating the proofs, have a cup of tea, and THEN type up the invoice

mbze430 · 15th of January 2006 (Sun)

I don't do 4x6 proofs. Its a waste of money. proofs are what they are. For the clients to review them. 2.5x3.5 is what I usually show my clients. Or I direct them to our website for them to view. <-- The easiest way.

goatee · 16th of January 2006 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbze430

I don't do 4x6 proofs. Its a waste of money. proofs are what they are. For the clients to review them. 2.5x3.5 is what I usually show my clients. Or I direct them to our website for them to view. <-- The easiest way.

But you still have a workflow to get the proofs on your website. . . which is, what the OP is looking for, I think.

nevilleb · 16th of January 2006 (Mon)

That is one good bubble maker! And, nice shots to boot!

nevilleb

11th of January 2006 (Wed)	#1
KarinaB1970 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Southwick, MA Posts: 622	First Paid Job, Related Questions Hi Everyone, I just did my first paid job. The gentleman that I did the job for is an international entertainer, a bubbleologist. This was a commercial job, not a "portrait" shoot by any means. The focus/star was the bubbles and his performance, not him specifically. My biggest question is....how long would you expect 650 photos to take to post process for proofs. It took me an avg. of 2 min. per photo to open, enlarge, brighten (to see good bubble definition) and sharpen. Also, batch resizing and uploading to the web for viewing. Is this unreasonable? I understand that many who do studio work such as portrait or glamour may not have this kind, if any, post processing necessary prior to sharing the proofs with the client. Working with bubbles was definitely a challenge with lighting (to make the bubble really stand out) and of course bubbles popping, not properly forming or being positioned correctly, etc. Really looking for thoughts on post processing and proofs. While not one of the most difficult to shoot, here is one of the images I made on Monday of his new protege, Harry: Thanks for your input! __________________ Karina Brach http://karinabrach.smugmug.com __________________ Canon Rebel XT 70-200L 2.8 IS Last edited by KarinaB1970 : 12th of January 2006 (Thu) at 06:46.

11th of January 2006 (Wed)	#2
KarinaB1970 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Southwick, MA Posts: 622	Re: First Paid Job, Related Questions Since I am very shy about posting my proofs, here is one that was post processed. Actually, I would say it was a bit more...."retouched." His banner that was attached to the stage curtains was not the same color "black" as the curtain and some extra work had to be done there. This is "the man" in action. While there is guaranteed to be someone to point out that the bubble is over his eye...yes, this is true, and that was avoided as much as possible, but the focus of the shoot was really his bubbles...they were the star...and he was to be "performing." __________________ Karina Brach http://karinabrach.smugmug.com __________________ Canon Rebel XT 70-200L 2.8 IS

12th of January 2006 (Thu)	#3
symes Goldmember Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,372 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: First Paid Job, Related Questions That second one is awesome...I can't answer many of your questions but that is unreal... my proofs for my one paid shoot were not processed at all...I waited until the family picked the photos they wanted and then I processed those images...if there were a few I thought the family missed out on then I went and I processed those pictures... Cheers, __________________ Symes Symplicity Photography Symplicity Glamour 5D Mark II; 1D Mark II; 17-40L; 24-70 2.8L; 70-200 IS 2.8L Last edited by symes : 12th of January 2006 (Thu) at 01:10.

12th of January 2006 (Thu)	#4
KarinaB1970 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Southwick, MA Posts: 622	Re: First Paid Job, Related Questions Here is a link to the images he currently has displayed on his website taken by other professional photographers, not by me (mine are not up yet, though will be replacing most of these): http://www.bubblemania.com/amazing-photos/ I had to redo most of these to update his more mature, but still fun image Here are some of mine: __________________ Karina Brach http://karinabrach.smugmug.com __________________ Canon Rebel XT 70-200L 2.8 IS Last edited by KarinaB1970 : 12th of January 2006 (Thu) at 05:59.

12th of January 2006 (Thu)	#7
snibbetsj Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Panama City Beach, FL Posts: 819	Re: First Paid Job, Related Questions This is the main reason I shoot RAW + small JPEG. If I work right and get good exposures, I don't have to any pp for proof. I just print out a (few hundred) 4x6s right from the camera. I don't necessarily print out ALL the shots, I do cull for bad exposure, missed focus, etc. The client picks the shots they want then I only have to work on the final prints. Saves a bunch of time (for me) __________________ Jeff Stebbins

12th of January 2006 (Thu)	#8
goatee "nice but dim" Join Date: May 2005 Location: North of London, UK Posts: 5,238 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: First Paid Job, Related Questions Otherwise, you go through the shots - and if it's not a keeper delete it, and if it is drag the exposure slider to it's approximately correct. Then using whatever software you have (assuming it has this function, and if not, get Raw Shooter Premium ASAP), select all the keeper shots, and tell your RAW processing software to generate proofs. This should cut the time down to around 10-20 seconds per image, then whilst it's generating the proofs, have a cup of tea, and THEN type up the invoice __________________ D300, 50mm f/1.8, 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5, 70-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR, SB800 flickr

15th of January 2006 (Sun)	#9
mbze430 Goldmember Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 2,454	Re: First Paid Job, Related Questions I don't do 4x6 proofs. Its a waste of money. proofs are what they are. For the clients to review them. 2.5x3.5 is what I usually show my clients. Or I direct them to our website for them to view. <-- The easiest way. __________________ Gear List My Hub to my personal work (just click on the banners)

16th of January 2006 (Mon)	#11
nevilleb Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bombay, India Posts: 195	Re: First Paid Job, Related Questions That is one good bubble maker! And, nice shots to boot! nevilleb __________________ Neville Bulsara Photography Workshops, Photo Tours & Expeditions to India for the Discerning Photographer

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