Tools or Toys?

[JaertX]

So here's my deal: I work a full time job and I shoot portraits and events on the side. I've been getting a lot more requests for work so I guess people are pretty pleased with the product I deliver. I've shot a few weddings alongside a pro, but so far I've turned down all the requests for me to shoot one because I don't feel I can rely on my equipment. So my wife and I have talked about it and agreed that I should buy another body, another flash, a few more lenses and a some other odds and ends to get myself adequately backed-up.

And here's the problem: I'm pretty well decided on what equipment I'm going to buy (probably a 1dmkII and use my 20D as a backup, add a 580ex, get the 24-70mm f/2.8L and the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L.) All of that is equipment I know will be useful to make images that I can sell. But there are a few other things I'd "like" to buy that I "think" I could use to make some cool photographs and probably sell them as well.

So how do you guys who do this as a true business decide what is a toy and what is a tool of the trade? Just as an example, (and a trivial one, I realize) is a lensbaby. I think a few images at a wedding made with it would make an interesting addition to the whole album, but I don't "know" that for sure. There is a lot of cool lenses that I would like to buy (a nice macro would be cool), but I'm to the point that I really need to use my brain and look at this from a business standpoint as well. What do you do?

[brivett]

In my experience... A good photographer could shoot a wedding well with a 350D and the kit lens.... until you hit a certain level it is soooo not about the equipment. Don't get bogged down in a shopping list when you could be out learning and practicing.... and certainly don't do gimmicky shots until you have mastered the art of good basic wedding photography (I havn't)

[chtgrubbs]

If you use it enough on paying gigs for it to pay for itself, it's a tool. If you just use it for a few shots which won't sell, then it's a toy.

[JaertX]

thanks guys!

So far I have been mentoring with a fairly high-end photographer, so I haven't been exposed to someone shooting a wedding with beginner equipment...other than myself! She likes to put a few "unique" shots in her photoalbums...pj style and fisheye shots...not too many so as to be distracting, but enough to add interest to the whole "flow" of the album. And her work is incredible...so I'm lucky to get to study under someone like that.

Anyway, I wanted to get some opinions on here as well. Thanks again!

[lostdoggy]

Just remember: "...he who dies with the most toys wins..."

[JaertX]

Okay, maybe I should have been more specific with what I think I need and what I'll be doing:

The two main things I'm wanting to get are lighting and a few lenses.

I think all I really need to get for now is a good, two-light setup. I was thinking about going with the Photogenic Solaires. I have a third light already that I could use with grids for either a hair or background light. I might have the opportunity to do quite a bit of copy work for artists this summer and it seems like it would be a good idea to get lighting that is pretty consistent color temperature wise since I will probably shoot slides a lot of the time. My Alien Bee varies from 4700 to 6100 degrees Kelvin from the lowest to the highest power setting and I can't imagine that it would work at all. But, I might not be doing that much copy work and maybe some lower-end lighting that would be much cheaper might work for portrait work.

As far as lenses go, I really think I want to buy fixed focal length lenses. I could get the 24-70mm f/2.8L and a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM and I know they would work great for weddings and portraits, but I think I would rather get some nice L primes instead. I'm thinking a 24mm, a 100mm (macro, non-L - I know) and a 200mm. I already have a 50mm and an 85mm, so I think that would round me out really well. Is it just crazy to get those? I've read about a few high-end pros that shoot primes exclusively, so it's certainly possible to do it. If my work on the side goes the way it has, I'll be able to buy a second camera body at the end of the year, so I know I'll be switching lenses a lot until then, but I'm pretty certain I'll be much happier with the image quality. Money wise, I'll be spending the same either way. I just wonder if it's dumb for me to buy primes instead of zooms at first. (the zoom I have now is going to be a paperweight once I have it replaced!!)

Again...opinions on this are greatly appreciated!

[Jackal]

They're tools for me but when you're expecting something new, like a 30D, they feel like toys when it's christmas.

Originally Posted by lostdoggy

Just remember: "...he who dies with the most toys wins..."

Who's winning so far right now? Dante? Who's that other guy with every single L lense ever made? Forgot his name

[lostdoggy]

Yup I think I know who you talkin' about but I think he don't have the 1200mmL yet

[DocFrankenstein]

Originally Posted by JaertX

My Alien Bee varies from 4700 to 6100 degrees Kelvin from the lowest to the highest power setting and I can't imagine that it would work at all.

You have no idea how glad I was to read that statement.

BTT: It's a question of balance and you have to decide for youself. "love" for photography is one thing. Business is the other.

It's convenient to think another gizmo will bring more cash, but it might be just an effect of advertising propaganda.

Once I think of a product which is sane to manufacture, I'll stick the cliche slogan:
"unleash your creativity with DocF's new super gizmo" "imagine the possibilities!" "increase your cashflow" "boost your business" and of course "enlarge your sexual performance and make your wife happy"

Just pay me for it, you dumb@$$

[magmac21]

Coming from someone who has just bought the 24mm 1.4 they are definitely tools. As far as I can see you have to invest in good equipment to get the quality. Not that it means that if you have thousands of pounds of equipment you are a good photographer....

[Nidz]

Well from my own wedding and seeing others I would agree with what others have said. It takes real skill to pull off these shots and the equipment isn't always the make or break of your shots. Having a professional nearby would be more important than purchasing more lesnes and so on. I'm sure they will tell you that. Get your technique down and the rest will fall into place. Good luck!

[lostdoggy]

It is either you got it or you don't and all the equipment means got if you don't have the eyes to do it. I know I don't have the got for it.

[JaertX]

Thanks all for the advice.

The two weddings that I have worked at so far have turned out okay. At the second, I took a little over 600 pictures and I kept about 150 of them. (I was there apprenticing with a pro...so she had plenty of her own, useable shots) Looking at the exif data on a lot of the culled shots was pretty embarassing...a lot of the bad shots were pure user error. So I have a lot to learn still. I think I'm due for some equipment upgrades, but I'll keep it reasonable to make sure I'm not in over my head.

I have two weddings scheduled this summer for couples who couldn't get a professional booked and asked me to shoot them...both of them understand my experience level and have appropriate expectations. Still, I think a few upgrades would increase my confidence, at the very least!

Oh, and of course the necessary equipment backups. Sheesh...this is an expensive business to break in to!

Anyway...thanks again for all the input!

[tim]

Mostly I consider my gear tools to help me make great images. I bought my first 300D as a toy, traded it for a 20D as a half toy/half tool, and got me 2nd 20D as a tool. My 70-200 F2.8 IS was an expensive toy that has turned into a tool. The 50mm F1.4 is a tool, the macro lens is a toy, and the 30mm F1.4 that I want would be a tool. Strobes half toy/half tool.

I wouldn't bother with mains strobes for weddings, they take too long to set up unless you have an assistant. I rarely use mine, but when I do they do a great job (AB 800s).

I think a 1D series camera would be a good asset for wedding photography, with all the low light, it's on my "wish list", but for now the 20Ds are doing well for me.

PS lose the nifty fity, they're crap, not good enough for professional work. I'd rather have the Sigma 30mm F1.4, but I have the Canon 50mm F1.4 which is a lot better than the 50 1.8.

[aliflack]

Originally Posted by JaertX

I think all I really need to get for now is a good, two-light setup. I was thinking about going with the Photogenic Solaires. I have a third light already that I could use with grids for either a hair or background light. I might have the opportunity to do quite a bit of copy work for artists this summer and it seems like it would be a good idea to get lighting that is pretty consistent color temperature wise since I will probably shoot slides a lot of the time.

As far as lenses go, I really think I want to buy fixed focal length lenses. I could get the 24-70mm f/2.8L and a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM and I know they would work great for weddings and portraits, but I think I would rather get some nice L primes instead. I'm thinking a 24mm, a 100mm (macro, non-L - I know) and a 200mm. I'll be able to buy a second camera body at the end of the year, so I know I'll be switching lenses a lot until then, but I'm pretty certain I'll be much happier with the image quality.

Okay, my initial thinking is that going for primes doesn't make any sense when doing wedding photography - when you say you know you'll be switching lenses a lot, but you'll be happier with the IQ, have you considered how happy your customers will be with slightly better IQ (compare to L zoom) compared to how pi$$ed they'll be for you missing shots cos you were swapping lens at the exact moment uncle joe fell into the cake??

On the lighting front - are you buying lights for the actual event photography, or for studio based work? If its purely for the former, I would strongly suggest learning how to use a single flash well before taking on the extra hassle of bringing/setting up/adjusting/using studio lights...

But again, it all boils down to what your customer wants - if they want is 6x4 candids with you being unobtrusive as possible, that dictates what equipment you need (fast telezooms or long primes, not a high res body). If they just want formals, then you won't need the added flexibility of primes (but will they appreciate the better IQ?)

In my experience, what non-photos really look for in pictures is the emotion, the composition, that all the relatives look nice in their fancy clothes. They wouldn't recognise quality bokeh if it bit their behind.

Food for thought?