joeyk wrote:

Don't know if this applies to all industries, fashion, sports, etc, but where I came from, the portrait world, the bar has been lowered so much it's more like a rut now...

Most consumers wouldn't know a decent image if it bit them...

agreed, i have been hired for an engagement shoot today for a young couple,  but am hoping they're open to some stuff with flair and not the same old standard crapola

joeyk wrote:

Don't know if this applies to all industries, fashion, sports, etc, but where I came from, the portrait world, the bar has been lowered so much it's more like a rut now...

Most consumers wouldn't know a decent image if it bit them...

Sadly, based on some of the things being posted on FB by the photojournalist, I think they're getting hit hard as well.. I mean, when a paper lays off the entire photo staff because writers can use an iPhone/Pad or GoPro to capture images/video, that's a serious problem..

Not to get political, but I think in part one of the reasons employment is not bouncing back the way people want/think it should has more to do with technology and employers finding ways to use it as opposed to hiring.. I mean, in the old days a paper would send a writer and photographer out on a story.. Well today, the writer can just use their cell/iPad to capture that same image.. Will it be kinda bland? Most likely.. But will it do what the paper wants and satisfy the visual need? Yep.. So why have a photo staff when you can supply dedicated phones/pads to all the writers at a much cheaper cost.. And I'm sure other industries are doing similar things as well.. Not to mention, high quality images really aren't needed for most print and certainly not for web usage..

And with an influx of people willing to shoot shit JUST to be at the venue, why would a business use a REAL pro...  Sorry to say, but quality is getting left by the wayside.. And in part, we're the issue.. We wanted cheap shit.. Of course, some of that is probably because most available jobs pay shit since we moved to a more consumer nation, so we need cheap shit...  Forget the fact it doesn't look as good or generally last as long so in the long haul, we pay more.. But hey, who's looking past today..

joeyk wrote:
Don't know if this applies to all industries, fashion, sports, etc, but where I came from, the portrait world, the bar has been lowered so much it's more like a rut now...

Most consumers wouldn't know a decent image if it bit them...

orias wrote:
agreed, i have been hired for an engagement shoot today for a young couple,  but am hoping they're open to some stuff with flair and not the same old standard crapola

The problem isn't so much what people are looking for, it's what they think they should pay.. If someone wants 1980's tried and true, I'll shoot that.. But don't expect me to hand you everything over, fully edited, fully released (but they'll let me use the images in my portfolio), for a whooping $50 - $100 bucks!!!  That's the issue.. If you're paying, I'll shoot whatever the hell ya want as long as it's legal and not against my morals.. Ok, that second one doesn't have many conditions, but I'm NOT shooting something illegal..   LOL!! 

I've seen asshats want a 10hr wedding, all the images and the rights for like $500...  That's BS...  Hell engagement sessions, if not included in the wedding package, were typically about $150 and you got a print for yourself and the newspaper.. And I believe some wallets.. It wasn't much, but you're paying for expertise as well as time you don't see.. All the post work and the times you meet with the client and now emails or phone calls..  Even an hour long engagement is far more than an hour..

Tropical Photography wrote:

joeyk wrote:
Don't know if this applies to all industries, fashion, sports, etc, but where I came from, the portrait world, the bar has been lowered so much it's more like a rut now...

Most consumers wouldn't know a decent image if it bit them...

The problem isn't so much what people are looking for, it's what they think they should pay.. If someone wants 1980's tried and true, I'll shoot that.. But don't expect me to hand you everything over, fully edited, fully released (but they'll let me use the images in my portfolio), for a whooping $50 - $100 bucks!!!  That's the issue.. If you're paying, I'll shoot whatever the hell ya want as long as it's legal and not against my morals.. Ok, that second one doesn't have many conditions, but I'm NOT shooting something illegal..   LOL!! 

I've seen asshats want a 10hr wedding, all the images and the rights for like $500...  That's BS...  Hell engagement sessions, if not included in the wedding package, were typically about $150 and you got a print for yourself and the newspaper.. And I believe some wallets.. It wasn't much, but you're paying for expertise as well as time you don't see.. All the post work and the times you meet with the client and now emails or phone calls..  Even an hour long engagement is far more than an hour..

yeah a lot of ppl arent charging for the lost time and headaches anymore cause they're afraid of losing the clients,  but this causes them to have shittier clients and then the rest of us get the shitty clients used to getting these good deals for their indentured servitude...

i shoot a lot of custom photos and videos for other peoples commercial sites and i factor in all that shit... they dont like it,  they can walk... ive built an ironclad reputation, fan base, and solid reference list a thousand clients strong...

ive got a company meeting with me this week that wants to hire me for their social and promotional campaigns... i met with them once for a free consultation,  if they're not sophisticated or clear headed enough to handle the rest of our business interactions through email,  they will pay for any additional face to face meetings on top of my fee for the hours i am putting into their campaign... thats how i roll lol

Joe Tomasone wrote:
This is why I got out of the photography game and went back to what I do best..  Information Security. 

Oh, and hi everyone.  Someone turned my rock over.

Anyone seen my camera?

I think I saw it on Ebay.. LOL!!! 

Welcome back stranger!!!  Glad you survived the Green Zone!!!

orias wrote:
...
agreed, i have been hired for an engagement shoot today for a young couple,  but am hoping they're open to some stuff with flair and not the same old standard crapola

Taking the duct tape?

Joe Tomasone wrote:
This is why I got out of the photography game and went back to what I do best..  Information Security. 

...

I retired from Information Security - Too much pressure for an old guy.

Guss W wrote:

Taking the duct tape?

nope,  just 5,000ft of bondage rope... just in case lol

Joe Tomasone wrote:
This is why I got out of the photography game and went back to what I do best..  Information Security. 

Oh, and hi everyone.  Someone turned my rock over.

Anyone seen my camera?

Hey, by the way, apparently Joe Tomasone is still alive

Who knew?

Carl Roberts wrote:

Hey, by the way, apparently Joe Tomasone is still alive

Who knew?

I did 2 weeks ago when me and Bri met him at the Hilton post fetcon

Tropical Photography wrote:

+1

Betty Jo wrote:
Just coming in to say hi. I'm back.

Nice to see you back  .  .  .  AND, you front  .  .  . 

SOS

Betty Jo wrote:
Just coming in to say hi. I'm back.

Jesus Christ! Talk about Zombie week
First Joe Tomasone and now Betty Jo both showing up in the same week

I need to go stock up on my Zombie survival kit supplies!

orias wrote:
does anyone know of any crazy elaborate settings or sets locally?

There is a Life Sized Mermaid on Treasure Island at the Oasis Palms Resort

https://www.google.com/maps/views/explo … 78185&z=17

Other than that...hmmm Crazy elaborate settings...

orias wrote:
does anyone know of any crazy elaborate settings or sets locally?

The dessert rooms at Berns can be wacky  .  .  .  especially if you've been drinkin' in the 50's front bar all evening  .  .  . 

SOS

Carl Roberts wrote:
Jesus Christ! Talk about Zombie week
First Joe Tomasone and now Betty Jo both showing up in the same week

I need to go stock up on my Zombie survival kit supplies!

Here's sumethin' REALLY scary CR  .  .  .  there's a guy in another thread askin' advice about headin' down to da DR  .  .  .  Jake and I ain't sayin' nuthin'  .  .  . 

SOS

Carl Roberts wrote:

There is a Life Sized Mermaid on Treasure Island at the Oasis Palms Resort

https://www.google.com/maps/views/explo … 78185&z=17

Other than that...hmmm Crazy elaborate settings...

thats more odd than elaborate though

sospix wrote:
Here's sumethin' REALLY scary CR  .  .  .  there's a guy in another thread askin' advice about headin' down to da DR  .  .  .  Jake and I ain't sayin' nuthin'  .  .  . 

SOS

I wonder if it's a trap thread?

Sounds like the guy has it pretty well covered
He's going down full blown Gringo and staying in a resort, so...yeah, no problems

I go back down on Friday

Now that I'm single again, I'm going to have to start looking around all over again

I think I'm going to go over to Semana this time

Chris Photography wrote:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8CLW06OSFI … 3Dyoutu.be

Noice

Really waiting for the 7D ll to be honest

Chris Photography wrote:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8CLW06OSFI … 3Dyoutu.be

Not bad; I'm a Nikon user so I was more interested in the studio space, large softboxes, lighting, and assistants.

Shot a pro dancer (not exotic/not stripper) and yoga instructor past few weeks, it was a fun change from my norm.

Chris Photography wrote:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8CLW06OSFI … 3Dyoutu.be

Did you recognize the space Carl?

Frank Lewis Photography wrote:
Finally. Gettin' some decent rain here in the middle of the state.

Hopefully the color of my yard will change from brown to green...

Just now??? HOLY CRAP, it's been flooded around these parts.. Drying out now..

Chris Photography wrote:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8CLW06OSFI … 3Dyoutu.be

joeyk wrote:
Did you recognize the space Carl?

Studio 75 in Seminole?

Is that your old space?

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B55kiqv … hMUmM/edit

BTW, just jamming out to an classic song
NSFW but..Damn...

joeyk wrote:
Did you recognize the space Carl?

Carl Roberts wrote:
Studio 75 in Seminole Pinellas Park?

Is that your old space?

Yup...

Carl Roberts wrote:

Chris Photography wrote:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8CLW06OSFI … 3Dyoutu.be

Studio 75 in Seminole?

Is that your old space?

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B55kiqv … hMUmM/edit

BTW, just jamming out to an classic song
NSFW but..Damn...

Her "jiggle parts" is in perfect workin' order  .  .  . 

SOS

Carl Roberts wrote:

I wonder if it's a trap thread?

Sounds like the guy has it pretty well covered
He's going down full blown Gringo and staying in a resort, so...yeah, no problems

I go back down on Friday

Now that I'm single again, I'm going to have to start looking around all over again

I think I'm going to go over to Semana this time

The Samana Peninsula is a great spot, enjoy yourself CR  .  .  .  and, don't git married over da weekend  .  .  . 

SOS

sospix wrote:
The Samana Peninsula is a great spot, enjoy yourself CR  .  .  .  and, don't git married over da weekend  .  .  . 

SOS

The drive from Santo Domingo was one of the nicest drives Ive ever taken in the world
Just magnificent

But Samana (pronounced Sah-mah-nAH where your voice goes up at the end and gets a little louder) was very small and not much happening

I think it is busier in the winter when the whales are around
I stayed at the Bahia Principe Cayacoa
http://www.bahia-principe.com/en/hotels … t-cayacoa/

All inclusive, up on a cliff, great beach, food was REALLY good for an all inclusive, adults only no kids everywhere.

It was great, but a ton of couples. I should have brought a friend with me because it is not the place to stay by yourself.

But strongly recommend it as a hotel in that area

Carl Roberts wrote:

The drive from Santo Domingo was one of the nicest drives Ive ever taken in the world
Just magnificent

But Samana (pronounced Sah-mah-nAH where your voice goes up at the end and gets a little louder) was very small and not much happening

I think it is busier in the winter when the whales are around
I stayed at the Bahia Principe Cayacoa
http://www.bahia-principe.com/en/hotels … t-cayacoa/

All inclusive, up on a cliff, great beach, food was REALLY good for an all inclusive, adults only no kids everywhere.

It was great, but a ton of couples. I should have brought a friend with me because it is not the place to stay by yourself.

But strongly recommend it as a hotel in that area

Well, grab a "friend" and have some fun next time  .  .  .  yeah, I've been there when the whales were in town  .  .  .  great stuff  .  .  .  El Coson is a really good surfin' spot too, if yer inta that sorta thing  .  .  . 

SOS

sospix wrote:

Well, grab a "friend" and have some fun next time  .  .  .  yeah, I've been there when the whales were in town  .  .  .  great stuff  .  .  .  El Coson is a really good surfin' spot too, if yer inta that sorta thing  .  .  . 

SOS

Don't whales eat surfers?  Fox News said so.

Chris Photography wrote:

Don't whales eat surfers?  Fox News said so.

Not BIG, old, fat ones like me  .  .  .  my board's too long fer their mouth  .  .  .    Orcas will eat jest about anything  .  .  .  ask great white sharks  .  .  .

SOS

Carl Roberts wrote:
OK This site is FUBAR even for Mayhem

Ya jest now noticin' dat CR  .  .  . 

SOS