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Messages - Nero the Fiddler

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1
Zeus,

 My comment wasn't directed at you we just posted at the same time and yours came up first. You are very informative on this site. Thank you for the Hippy info really interesting.

2
 Everyone is allowed to say what they like on this forum within the sites rules even if you completely disagree. However remember when you attack someone without data and substance it makes you look threatened and weak. This poster should not be a threat to anyone here. To post just to be mean supports nothing and keeps people away from posting their thoughts here. There have been some good debates on this topic but please use your brains when making judgements instead of just useless banter it is far more helpful to the readers. If you don't have anything nice or informative to offer maybe just don't hit the send button.

3
 I believe anyone that shuts the door to innovation based on emotional decisions rather than calculated ones are always going to be a step behind. I imagine his reluctance to invest in Micro is he saw it diminish his Macro returns and is a bit shy of trying new things. Many people resist change to the bitter end. On the other hand having your images in all portions of the industry makes the most sense as a business person invested in the stock industry, diversity. One person on this post said they would love to hear more about Macro here. That is a wonderful attitude I am sure he will grow from his open nature in his business. I have found that there is quite a division from both Micro and Macro towards each other especially on this site. I hope his statement shows the migration of the entire industry instead of the two models standing on their soapboxes denouncing each other. Now let me climb down off of mine : )

4
Densmore,

Don't feel the need to explain yourself when you are spoken to in such a manner. You have as much right as anyone on this site to state your opinion. It is as valid as any of this stuff. Nobody here knows for sure what will take place including myself. The only thing you can guarantee is there will always be more change.

5
Bingo Dunsmore. Exclusive contracts are like work for hire. The only positive part of Istocks exclusive contract is they let you pull out if you want to. I hope they keep that option open over time. Like watching grass grow. It does but you never see it even if you sit and watch for days.. Ichiro it is the combination of all the agencies and the opportunity to join the new ones coming. They will be coming, this game is still in the top of the second inning.

6
General Stock Discussion / Re: Contributors' Collective
« on: May 05, 2009, 20:56 »
 I admire those that wish to stand by their principles and try to buck the system. That is what this country is all about. I don't think it will make any difference as I see the threads at Istock have been locked. I believe their minds are made up. I will follow what ever an agency offers that is in my best interest. Will this benefit enough people to offset those that are opting out. I imagine they have thought this reaction through in detail. Diversity is your best answer to this problem in the future. Spread your images as far and wide as you can. Learn from this lesson if it effects your income negatively and adjust accordingly. Their company their rules, it will always be this way. Good luck to all involved.

7
General Stock Discussion / Re: Stockxpert going down?
« on: April 13, 2009, 11:39 »
 What if they took all their lower end content and put it into a Subs collection in Micro then make Istock a more top grade Micro without subs but with their very best content. Getty purchased a great deal of wholly owned imagery of very good quality from Jupiter for a low price what if it was put into Micro. They could always move the best of the best to Istock and put it at the top of the search engines since they will not have to pay out any commission that way. That is one direction they have gone in the past.

8
Adobe Stock / Re: Fotolia, new prices, the math.
« on: April 09, 2009, 10:25 »
I suggest you just look to the past to see the future. Look at the history of the stock industry and you will find most of the answers you are looking for.

9
 I believe in them but like most things you get out what you put in. Many people want to pay dues an expect their problems to be handled by these groups. I think the more proactive you become the more you will see in personal benefits. Like our own government in a way. We want to pay our taxes and have all our problems solved but it doesn't always turn out that way. Micro community is similar, you get out of it what you put into it.

10
 I have been looking at Istock Chart and have seen a change lately in a lot of the top providers in the column that follows this months 30 day downloads as apposed to 90 days of downloading and I am seeing a lot more people in the red instead of the green. Are sales slowing there for some of the top providers compared to 90 days ago. I would think that their would be a lot more green as we are now in better selling months than over the past 90 days. I also noticed that more and more Istock Exclusives are removing their data from the chart.

11
iStockPhoto.com / Re: Exclusively everywhere but IStock
« on: March 31, 2009, 09:41 »
The times will change they always do.

12
Lighting / Re: Minimal power for softboxes
« on: March 30, 2009, 15:41 »
 Check your stats. Don't know where you heard pros use f11. I know many Pros and none use F11 unless they want to carry more depth for a particular reason. Do some research if you are curious. Lenses are their sharpest two stops from wide open. If you have a 2.8 lens then 5.6 is going to be your sharpest aperture. F11 is way over kill for most work when using an SLR. 4x5 or 8x10 now thats another subject, larger the area of coverage the less depth of field you have.

13
Lighting / Re: Do you use a light meter? Which type?
« on: March 30, 2009, 15:36 »
Don't touch a light meter just use my preview window and histogram but a color temp. meter saves lots of time in post if you can balance your light temp. before shooting.

14
Lighting / Re: how to get soft lightig like this???
« on: March 30, 2009, 15:33 »
Hi Lisa,

 No it's more about the state of the economy not stock. I am fiddling away as I watch the flames.

15
Lighting / Re: I microwaved this shot
« on: March 30, 2009, 15:30 »
Maltesers, you must be British. We have Whoppers in the U.S. but they don't hold a candle for the real deal. Love Maltesers.

16
Lighting / Re: I microwaved this shot
« on: March 30, 2009, 13:14 »
Now that is thinking outside the box! Great to look around and see what will work without spending a dime. Smart.

17
Lighting / Re: Profotos vs AlienBees?
« on: March 30, 2009, 13:12 »
color temp. is going to be far more consistant especially over time with the Profoto that is one of their biggest selling points but for Micro I don't know if it really matters for the end user. Less color correction in post with the Profoto when mixing with daylight than some of the other cheaper brands.. Accessories and durability are another reason. You can't make a comparison to their durability and longevity, it's like the difference of closing the door on a VW as apposed to the door of a high end Mercedes. You get what you pay for. Get the 7b 1200 watt second Profoto if you are planning on staying in photography for sometime. It will be the last pack you'll have to by. 2 sec. recycle time is a big pain as well. Tough to capture that expression when you are waiting for your lights to recycle if you are shooting people.

18
Lighting / Re: New PocketWizard units
« on: March 30, 2009, 13:02 »
It's about time. There old units looked like children's play toys as far as durability. I can't tell you how easy the old models were to brake. Hopefully the new ones come with a metal hot shoe connection. The old plastic ones broke all the time.

19
Lighting / Re: how to get soft lightig like this???
« on: March 30, 2009, 12:59 »
 It is the use of the lights and there is absolutely no need to post process for color or anything. You can get this look straight off your file with zero post manipulation. Study as much lighting as you can. Yuri's lighting is no secret it is very simple you just need the equipment. Large soft box behind photographer to set the base, it needs to be right behind you and the broader the better to avoid any drop shadows that will conflict with your main. If you don't have a giant soft box bounce it off of two 4x8 foam core panels made into a V flat.
 Then add the main light from the angle that best suits your needs for contrast. Not much higher than your original fill on power. I would also say to place the mains back off to the side and slightly behind and coming down from a slightly higher angle than your subject to keep the light looking real.
 if you want a bit of separation from the background. Then the background needs lighting of its own to take away any dark spots. It is really lighting 101 in any good photo school. Education is the key. Start with the fill, set your base exposure and shape from there. Actually there are a number of lighting scenarios that will create this look. I think the examples shown are a touch flat and the main should be turned up or the fill turned down a bit.

20
Lighting / Re: Minimal power for softboxes
« on: March 30, 2009, 12:42 »
Why would anyone shoot an isolation on white at f11 unless they were shooting a massive group of people or macro for depth. I agree one more light is a good idea. I would shoot people at f2.8-5.6 depending on if it is a close up or a full length unless they are holding something out towards the camera then I might go to F8 at the very most, rarely. Remember lens is sharpest two stops from wide open, general rule. F22 is softer across the entire image than f 5.6. And don't use a soft box to light the background you will lose tons of power over a hard light properly placed. Check out the Strobist sometime he has good advice on this subject.

21
 You have already been told about the Flash my thoughts to improve what appears to be a very well organized site is only one thing. In information I don't want to hear about what gear you use it really doesn't matter to buyers. I want to know about the machine behind the machine. Share yourself with the viewer your aspirations and dreams, as well as maybe location and other useful info. Also when you say you bought your first digital camera in 2006 this sounds rather novice I wouldn't share that with buyers I would build yourself up without sounding arrogant. Chase Jarvis is very good at this. Beautiful images and an all around strong representation.

22
Cameras / Lenses / Re: Tripod and photography
« on: March 29, 2009, 09:16 »
 A one million dollar coverage is not that expensive. If someone gets hurt during one of your shoots especially if you work as a sole proprietor instead of Inc. or LCC you should have as much coverage as you can afford. The injured person can take away all your assets if they win the suit, your home and everything. Even if you win the case the law suit itself will set you back far more than several years of an insurance package will. If you are claiming this money and calling yourself a professional be very careful continuing without proper insurance. Very happy to see the changes in NY that will be a big help not having to attain permits.

23
 It is called a Cyclorama and it helps the control of the light fall off with the sweep, much easier to make even light on background. The bigger the sweep the easier the lighting. Check out this company if anyone wants to build their own without being a master dry waller. http://www.calumetphoto.com/Studio/Backgrounds%2C+Coving%2C+Cycloramas/Backgrounds%2C+Coving%2C+Cycloramas/Cycloramas_Coving?cm_mmc=Calumet%20US-_-Google%20Adwords-_-Studio-Gear-_-Cycloramas%20&%20Coving&a=CA01&t=CA01

24
General Photography Discussion / Re: Updating my website
« on: March 29, 2009, 09:01 »
 It all depends on who the site is for. If it is to get commercial work I agree with the first post stay away from slow flash entries, Ad's won't sit through them have you thought of a bypass to the opening to save viewers time. The other thing is going through your images there should be another way rather than having to click each photo to get back to the others, another slow down for the viewer maybe some sort of continuation button. Last don't canter your work this will drive art directors crazy, they never print images cantered and it doesn't help the image.
 If it is just for you to show your friends and fellow photographers then I think you can do whatever you want and have fun with it. The idea is it is a tool to help attract buyers and there have been many write ups about what agencies dislike. These three comments are on the top of the list for them.

25
General Photography Discussion / Re: Show us your creativity
« on: March 28, 2009, 10:03 »
I love to see this creative stuff. I Know you all love what you're doing it shows in the work. Love the egg world and the HDR's. The old car is very cool as well, lighting matches very nicely. Keep them coming this is the best post I have seen in a long time. Really entertaining and great artists. Motivating. Thanks

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