Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/11/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I've actually decided to change the way I shoot somewhat since the last wedding I did. I did it "cheaper" than normal so I used almost all 35mm with my R4s and only used my Bronica for the formal shots (about 30 total). First off, I REALLY like how the Bronica looks. I love the narrow depth of field of their 150 3.5. BUT, at this last wedding, it was so much more fun to shoot most of it with the Leica. The problem was I couldn't shoot the b/w like I enjoy. What I've done is bought another body (an R4) off ebay that I'm waiting for. Now I'm going to load one with b/w, one with color, and still use the Bronica for selected shots. I think I will enjoy doing a wedding much more this way. The other thing that solidified this is the recent enlargement a client got from me. I did "family pictures" of them recently with the ETRS. While they were getting ready I used my R4s with 135 Elmarit and shot a few of thier kid walking around. One of those shots was their favorite, and they ordered a 16x20 of it. It blew me away when I got it back. It also made me realize how far digital has to go to get anywhere near that quality! (sorry, off topic!). My point is, the Leica shots I take are more fun (less cumbersome and I really like the "vibe" of using the Leica), and the shots are amazing. WAY OFF TOPIC: I have used Hasselblad in the past but I don't shoot well with a square format. It's too much for me to think about (the cropping later). I always shoot what I see in the viewfinder, and I didn't like rectangular shots I've taken with 6x6. That's why the Bronica ETRS. My images look better when I see what I get. I didn't even realize this until I did it, and my wife commented about how much better a wedding looked with the Bronica than with the Hasselblad. Just interesting, I think. I wonder if anyone else has this experience? Also, I chose the Bronica because no one else makes a 6x4.5mm camera with leaf shutter lenses and removeable backs that I know of. Again, sorry for so off topic! But I would enjoy reading something similar to this from other wedding photographers! - -----Original Message----- From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Rob Heyman Sent: Friday, November 15, 2002 3:36 AM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: Re: [Leica] Last weekends Wedding - 100% Leica Randy, what is the largest image that you sell from any wedding? If it is 20x16 or smaller, then you really do not need the MF for the majority of your work. You could save yourself a packet of money by using 35mm. If you feel insecure you could use it for the few shots that you KNOW they always order for the enlargements. I used to play safe and carry the Hasselblad with me but now I just walk out of the house with a bag containing my Leica, three lenses and about ten rolls of film. Usually use six or seven. The spare gear is now an EOS and an old Nikon FE2 that I leave in the car in case the Leica packs it in. So far, so good. Regards Rob Randy Jensen wrote: > I would really like to have a discussion with other wedding photographers on > this list, but I don't want to bog down the LUG with wedding-related stuff. > > I shoot with a Bronica ETRS, usually about 250 images at a typical wedding, > and about 100 black and white shots with a Leica R4 and R4s (plus various > Infrared, etc). Just curious what others are doing. > > Again, I don't want the LUG to become any kind of wedding discussion, unless > others think it's applicable. > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us > [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Rob Heyman > Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2002 4:38 AM > To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us > Subject: Re: [Leica] Last weekends Wedding - 100% Leica > > Hi Ted, > > "the costs are so prohibitive and the public so > retiscent to pay high fees for this sort of coverage." > > My understanding of Gerry's statement was that it costs more to photograph a > wedding my way than his way. It seems to me that ANYONE can offer my sort > of > coverage. I use 6-8 rolls of 35mm and sell from proofs. That part is pretty > much > the same cost all over the world. Gerry can then offer the album and prints > for > any price he wants. I would like to know how Gerry photographs a wedding and > how > the costs would become prohibitive for him. > > As far as pricing the album, you are absolutely correct. We should price our > work to whatever the market can stand. The market will set your price. > > Rob > > Ted Grant wrote: > > > Rob Heyman sked: > > > > > "As for the market, and here I assume you mean the costs, how does > > > it cost more for to cover a wedding without any extra lights, > assistants, > > 120 > > > cameras AND WITH just a kit of Leica over your shoulder?"<<< > > > > Hi Rob, > > It has nothing to do with the cost factor of reality in any case.. > > > > It has everything to do with the balls to state your price of $20 K and > make > > it sound you are asking $200.! :-) And right there is the secret of making > > the big money! State the price, don't blink, snicker or anything but stand > > there and calmly wait for the answer, because they will say one of three > > things... > > > > OK that's fine, what is the drill for the wedding day? :-) > > Seems a bit high but for that money you must be damn good! You get the > job. > > :-) > > Drop dead you must be crazy! :-( > > > > It's having the mastery of the marketing technique which damn few > > photographers have, because we really want to take pictures and rarely > time > > to develop the selling technique. Then there are the guys who have all the > > marbles in the bag and sell themselves like magic. And in this case they > > always get their bride! > > > > ted.... whose never had the balls to try it! ;-) > > > > -- > > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html > > -- > __________________________________ > Rob Heyman M.Photog > 32 Binyara Street > CHAPEL HILL Qld 4069 > Ph 07 3878 3884 fax 07 3378 6639 > __________________________________ > > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html > > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- __________________________________ Rob Heyman M.Photog 32 Binyara Street CHAPEL HILL Qld 4069 Ph 07 3878 3884 fax 07 3378 6639 __________________________________ - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html