night club photos (NWS)

thebishopp wrote in post #8252960
Heavy!? LOL. It is the 2nd lightest lens I own! The first being the nifty fifty!
It's focus isn't too bad... it is a bit slower than my other lenses but not enough so that I would find it a flaw.

Compared to my kit lens it is heavy I can't stand the camera upright with the battery grip on. The whole thing takes a nose dive to the front!

Twin Turbo wrote in post #8253003
. I do get people asking me if I work for 'so and so' magazine and when I tell them that I freelance and give them my card they seem a little shocked that I don't work for an e-zine or something.

One thing that I learned is to know and become friends with the security staff at whatever venue you are in.

I think that all of this boils down to jealousy. In fact, just the other day I was checking out most of the e-zines in town and I must say that and I am not too impressed with the photography. I'm just saying

I freelance, but I guess I run my own e-zine-ish photo site. The messageboard that it spawned from belongs to someone else. Initially the galleries were bolted to the side, but that wasn't the intent, it was a temporary thing (that lasted a year or so) until A) we improved a photo site we bought (no go, we ended up selling it!) or B) we made our own.

B sort of happened. But it was just me and the web developer and the initial investor didn't care if we kinda sorta pirated what may or may not be his logo. Nonetheless, myself and my developer own the photo site.

Security is a club photographer's best friend. They always want photos with the girls, and I gladly oblige. Heck, I even hang with some of them off hours. Yeah, they can drink!

Jealousy? I don't encounter it too much since we're a small operation. The general mindset around here for photo sites is usually gauged on amount of coverage rather than quality. To be honest, we're looked down upon more often than not. But the trick is, we really don't care. See Nightlife is just part of some other stuff we're working on. The gadget behind it is used for a lot of other stuff. We've pitched syndication and technology deals, but most people around here aren't educated enough in technology and internet trends to appreciate what we're going for. They think two weeks from now. Our mindset is "2015". A big part of it is Google Wave, and Google OS.

The sites around here, to be honest, range from so-so, to horrid, with a few guys shooting for them actually being quite good. But those guys are usually just the prodigies of the club photo world, and quickly leave and find something else to do. Low pay and work-for-hire will do that.

The only thing I've ever overheard was "Yeah I'm gonna get that <insert piece of gear> Pod has..." Which is fine, but that's only half the battle.

pod_canon wrote in post #8253775
The only thing I've ever overheard was "Yeah I'm gonna get that <insert piece of gear> Pod has..." Which is fine, but that's only half the battle.

Hey, Pod, you don't hear that from me ... I've already got everything! I picked up my third set of: 580EX II, Quantum SC with cord, and TT5 today; and then grabbed a ThinkTank Airport Security 2 on Turbo's advice. But if you have something I don't, please let me know!

[Just pulling your chain, Buddy!]

Hahah! I know!

You've probably sold more gear than I've owned.

Actually, your post brings up a good point. I want a compact "extended" battery for my 580 and if possible my old 550. Any suggestions?

pod_canon wrote in post #8253950
Hahah! I know!

You've probably sold more gear than I've owned.

Actually, your post brings up a good point. I want a compact "extended" battery for my 580 and if possible my old 550. Any suggestions?

Well those Quantum Turbo batteries are really nice, and I like how you just plug them in to charge. They're DAMNED expensive though...

I use the standard canon battery pack. It fits 8 AAs for a total of 12 in the system. works great and I can shoot 500+ pictures with very little loss of recharge time. It's pretty light too.. as light as 8 AAs can be. The quantum packs are a tab bit heavier, but probably last a lot longer!

I'll research. I don't want something that's gonna look like I have a police radio, but I don't want to keep having to constantly remember to put my AAs in the charger, and keep the bag stocked with lithium cells. Basically want something that can go for 2 or 3 nights out, to account for me forgetting to plug 'em in.

Thanks!

Pod, I have a Quantum SC battery for each 580. They aren't tiny, but they are light and last a long time. I used to have the Turbo version and the 2x2 version and these are much nicer ... they'll fit in a pocket although I clip them to my belt ... you do have a cord same as with the others so it is sorta' like the police radio ... and they aren't cheap, but man, you can recharge them anytime as they don't have "memory" and they have a four level charge indicator. I also expect that you can get replacement battery units or at least send them in for a replacement. And, of course, they look very PROFESSIONAL!!!

Twin Turbo wrote in post #8252957
Well.......

Messed up thing is that some of these photogs have better cameras than I do but I take better photos than they are with my Xti.

"The Best camera is the one you have with you" - Chase Jarvis

pod_canon wrote in post #8253775
The sites around here, to be honest, range from so-so, to horrid
.

I agree I know in Chicago alone at least eight new photographers sprang up with various rates of tallent, in the past year. And unknowingly they are killing the photography scene in are city. They show up and offer major clubs and venues to shoot for very very little money or even no money at all. It irritates the hell out of me. Im asuming this is happening all over?

Shea.Flynn wrote in post #8254294
I agree I know in Chicago alone at least eight new photographers sprang up with various rates of tallent, in the past year. And unknowingly they are killing the photography scene in are city. They show up and offer major clubs and venues to shoot for very very little money or even no money at all. It irritates the hell out of me. Im asuming this is happening all over?

Yes, it happens a lot down here too. It also adds to the dilemma of not paying for great photos. Sometimes, you do get what you pay for

Twin Turbo wrote in post #8254337
Yes, it happens a lot down here too. It also adds to the dilemma of not paying for great photos. Sometimes, you do get what you pay for

Same deal in Atlanta. I do my best to differentiate myself from the pack by putting out the highest quality stuff, staying consistent/reliable, and being personable.

There's only so much you can control.

Same here. The quality people get discouraged due to low/no pay.

Hey guys,

I was wondering what you all thought was an ideal size for nightlife images (for the web). I'm in the process of resizing mine and adapting them with a new watermark and would be interested in your input.

Thanks!

shred wrote in post #8257072
Hey guys,

I was wondering what you all thought was an ideal size for nightlife images (for the web). I'm in the process of resizing mine and adapting them with a new watermark and would be interested in your input.

Thanks!

Mine are at 600x400

700x468