Tag Archives: strobist

Strange Credit Card Policies

By Chris Garrett | Published September 11, 2006

So the other day I wrote that after reading a bunch of posts at Strobist I was buying up Photography Lighting Equipment. I wanted to order through the Strobist affiliate links, plus it was convenient to order all from the same place. Only it wasn’t so convenient.

It seems if you are outside USA they assume you are using a stolen card until you can prove otherwise by faxing both sides of your credit card (fair enough, they already had me type out the info) and my credit card statement (!). Um, no, not going to do that.

On the flickr group people assert this is standard practice (uh, no, never had to do that before) and it’s for both parties protection (maybe, but still not going to do it).

One of my credit cards is purely online, I don’t get a printed statement. What would they have me do in that case, print off the web page and fax that. Hyeah. Really secure. Plus how many times have you seen consumer report tv programs where they go through some bins and have everything they need to order a ton of junk, including as it happens fresh credit cards.

Sorry, there are some hoops even this trained monkey will not jump through.

Problem is, karma being what it is, I will probably find down the road I absolutely have to order something from these jokers.

Update: Heh, the stuff arrived this morning. So despite A) they said they wouldn’t and B) I asked for the order cancelling, it all arrived. I could have saved myself all the hassle of sourcing different suppliers, paying customs import duty, extra delivery. Lesson learned, patience first, rant later. Thanks Adorama and my apologies.

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DIY Camera Flash Softbox

By Chris Garrett | Published September 1, 2006

I’m still learning even the basics of off-camera light. While I am not known for my restraint in purchases there are some things I just can’t justify buying even to the little demons that sit on my shoulders (you know, the good one and bad one that both seem talk me into buying camera gear).

One of those expensive but really useful things is a softbox. A softbox turns harsh direct light into beautifying soft diffused light. Most portrait lighting tutorials will mention them. Anyone who does portraits really needs one of these bad boys but they are darned expensive for anyone who A) will only use it on occasion and B) doesn’t get paid for this stuff. I mean, it is a lot of money if you will be taking pictures of the kids and pets, not so much if you have celebrities as paying clients. YMMV.

Anyway, this is all moot, using this DIY Softbox I will be able to put one together myself for a tiny sum and be ready for when Natalie Portman drops in for a random amateur photoshoot.

via: Strobist

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Posted in Lighting, News and Commentary, Photography Techniques | Also tagged , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

New Photography Podcast Network Launched

By Chris Garrett | Published August 22, 2006

I have never really got into podcasts. Now I don’t have a daily commute (my commute is across the top floor of my house, the only traffic problem I have to worry about is a jackknifed cat or a mislaid skateboard) I only really have mind-space for background music, I find I have to concentrate on podcasts too much and it distracts me from work.

Having said that I do hang in blogging circles where people love podcasts, audio and video. So I welcome the news relayed by David at Strobist that a group of photography podcasters, including Chris “Tips from the top floor” Marquardt (the one podcast I have listened to more than once or twice) have launched a photographers podcast network.

Go check it out if you are into that kind of thing and let me know if I should give podcasts another try?

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My good news is Strobists Dilemma

By Chris Garrett | Published August 17, 2006

What a coincidence. On the same day I give away a photograph for free to be used by British Airways inflight magazine I read this from Strobist

Try to resist the cheap thrill of being paid (very little) for a photo. The true expense of that action is that you ultimately deprive someone who has devoted their life to shooting professionally much of a chance of financial survival. If you are good enough to work for pay, you are good enough to work harder and raise the standards of the profession, not devalue them.

On the one hand I can totally get your point David, I really do. And you know, I do feel a little guilt for giving my photograph away (thanks for ruining a great moment in my photography career! heh).

Having pondered on it for a little while though here are my thoughts

  • If I say “no” someone else will say “yes”.
  • The only person I would be depriving is me and sorry but depriving me hurts a lot more than depriving you from where I am standing.
  • How the heck am I supposed to build a portfolio if I have to charge what you consider fair rates to people who consider those rates anything but.
  • The people who want cheap or free will not pay more than that.
  • What makes the photography industry any different?

My last point needs some clarification. Consider web sites. A company comes to me and says “I want a web site to sell my widgets”. I say “That will be $£xx,xxx.99″. They say “Whoah, my neighbours nephews friends sister can do it for $£x”. I say “Go get them to do it then and come back to me when they make a hash of it”.

If an industry gets commoditised it is because that industry is doing a poor job of selling itself. What is the difference between me building a website and the 12 year old kid with a copy of Dreamweaver? Oh, probably more than a million pounds in profit on the clients bottom line, and I can prove it, but I am not going to do it at the kids rates. You have to decide what the difference is between your photograph and some kids $1 stock photo. If there is no difference who’s fault is that? Not the kid and not the customer, that’s for sure.

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Posted in Legal Issues, Ethics, Model Releases, News and Commentary, Online Photography Community, Pricing | Also tagged , , , , , 2 Comments

Photography Lighting 101

By Chris Garrett | Published May 12, 2006

What looks like potentially a great resource, Strobist: Lighting 101 aims to teach lighting numpties a thing or two about photography lighting

Intimidated by the idea of off-camera lighting? Don’t be. We are pretty much starting from scratch, so no worries. The first posts will be about what kind of gear you will need to do the minimalist strobe thing.

One thing I have to disagree with is their assertion that “light gives you far more bang-for-the-buck than does fast glass”. My nifty-50 lense is the best bang for buck I have ever spent on photography!

I am glad I came across these posts as I am in the market for a flash. I have had my eye on the Canon 580ex flash unit, items like the following will help me in my purchasing decisions

we are going to assume a couple of things:

1) You have a strobe that can be triggered externally via your camera’s PC connection, as seen in the first photo. (This example is a Nikon SB-28dx, a circa “D1 era” pro flash.)

2) You have a strobe that can be set to manual power and “dialed down,” as seen in the second photo.

Well it turns out the 580ex, despite being a leading model, does not have external PC control …

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Posted in Flash and Lighting, Lighting, Photography Gear, Photography Techniques | Also tagged , , , , 2 Comments