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@JMacBass65 I guess that's true. I guess I didn't realize that someone might not have creativity. Art and photography are kinda hobbies of mine and just come naturally to me. And I didn't say anything about low-balling, I just meant if your starting out and don't know if the band will even last. By all means, go and pay a professional once you've established yourselves as a band.
That's cool, I get it that. LOTS of stuff come naturally to me, and as a result, I cannot imagine paying someone to do it.
Setting up my basses for one. But....I have seen other people who simply have no business with a wrench in their hand, they should hire someone.
But, I have ZERO eye for photography. I just don't.
But if you have a decent eye, by all means DIY with some halfway decent gear, and for your purposes, it'll likely be fine.
There was a kid (24) who showed up at a gig of ours about two years ago. Fancy camera, taking pics for free. He was looking to make a career out of it.
Well, he's got an eye, I have posted a number of his shots here.
He has since really grown and is doing some great things, and I have hired him to do shots for some home sales of mine.
Contrast that with an old HS classmate of mine. He's a pro, 50 years old. Takes GREAT nature photography, and is paid to do that quite a bit.
HE came to a gig and shot us..........mostly crap results. HE shot a house for me too.......ditto.
So sometimes it can be that specific as well.
Now that I think of it, I have a cycling friend who is a hobbyist photog. He has taken some great bike racing shots. I had him do my first real estate agent head shot. It got the job done when I was new, but I need to have a pro do one, I have seen the difference.
Try DIY first, then if the results aren't acceptable, try to locate a reasonably priced pro. Before you start, decide what image you are trying to convey to the public and choose the setting, type of photos (color vs. b+w, grainy vs. clear, individual vs. group, outdoors in a field vs. a graffiti laden warehouse, etc.) Be specific when hiring a photographer as to what you expect and possible locations where the shoot will take place. Some pros are great with getting babies to smile in a chair surrounded by balloons, but may be put off and not understand your willingness to stand in puddles under a bridge with your breath steaming. You'd be better off with someone who shares your vision taking a few dozen pics with a decent camera and editing the results yourself. Take the keepers to Staples and have them printed out. Best of luck to you, hope this helps.
To be honest, that looks quite bad for a photo - overprocessed, and the overlay looks amateurish - too many words saying too few things.
My take as a semi-pro wedding photog: if you're getting paid to play and hate getting undercut by poopy bands playing for free, then cough up the dough and get the shots professionally done.
If you guys are playing for fun, then yeah, get a "dude with camera" or DIY it.
i could examplain why the photo looks like that, but i can't fine a way to say it without it sounding like my brother is an amateur. the end result has style and shows that you can make a promo yourself.
As a person who's is in a band and has a wife who is a professional photographer, I have to say pro.
Also keep in mind a nice camera doesn't automatically mean quality pics. Whether or not you hire a professional photographer or a friend who has a camera, they key ingredient is, are they professional quality even if they aren't technically pros?
Quality is key. It takes an artists mind to take good photos, the same goes for musicians. You wouldn't let a guy join your band because he's got high quality gear, but can't play worth a damn would you?
Also keep in mind a nice camera doesn't automatically mean quality pics. Whether or not you hire a professional photographer or a friend who has a camera, they key ingredient is, are they professional quality even if they aren't technically pros?
Quality is key. It takes an artists mind to take good photos, the same goes for musicians. You wouldn't let a guy join your band because he's got high quality gear, but can't play worth a damn would you?
Posted on TalkPhotography: I'm looking for a band for a friends wedding. My buddy has a pretty decent Peavy PA and an iPod, should I hire a band or just go with the iPod. It's just music, right?
you know, for my brother's wedding, he used a pro, she wasn't personable, and just used stock locations that she always used. The pictures were horrible. My wife chose a different photographer for our wedding. He was humorous, adventurous, and got to know us and learned about our personalities. Our wedding photos were fantastic.
With a pro you get the fancy equipment, but you may not get the "important" stuff. I chose someone who takes photography as a serious hobby (yes, there are LOTS of them out there) with a good camera and some quality lenses. Someone you're comfortable with, and is really in to your band and wants to take great pictures of YOUR band. Don't use some dude's iPhone or iPad shots, they are always a little grainy our out of focus looking to me.
Best part with using a non-pro? They will blast off hundreds of shots and you will get them all to work with versus a pro who will often work with 'I will take X number of shots and photoshop X-Y shots and you will get Y. You will not get any of the RAW files nor copywrite to the pictures"
With a pro you get the fancy equipment, but you may not get the "important" stuff. I chose someone who takes photography as a serious hobby (yes, there are LOTS of them out there) with a good camera and some quality lenses. Someone you're comfortable with, and is really in to your band and wants to take great pictures of YOUR band. Don't use some dude's iPhone or iPad shots, they are always a little grainy our out of focus looking to me.
Best part with using a non-pro? They will blast off hundreds of shots and you will get them all to work with versus a pro who will often work with 'I will take X number of shots and photoshop X-Y shots and you will get Y. You will not get any of the RAW files nor copywrite to the pictures"
Hobbiest that LOVES to take BAND photos, esp LIVE gigs.
Live band gig photography requires a very unique skill set and specific experience. It requires a LOT of patience, and many hundreds (even thousands) of pics using high-burst mode, understanding stage lighting & how people move around on stage to get 'the money shot'.
A friend who takes heaps of live gig shots has a fisheye lens and holds the camera up at the end of a pole (operates with a remote control). Brilliant & unique shots looking down onto & across the stage/audience. No glare from lighting, no audience members arms in your way, etc.
Pro is a close second choice. As long as they're experienced in this niche & you can afford a really really good one.
Live band gig photography requires a very unique skill set and specific experience. It requires a LOT of patience, and many hundreds (even thousands) of pics using high-burst mode, understanding stage lighting & how people move around on stage to get 'the money shot'.
A friend who takes heaps of live gig shots has a fisheye lens and holds the camera up at the end of a pole (operates with a remote control). Brilliant & unique shots looking down onto & across the stage/audience. No glare from lighting, no audience members arms in your way, etc.
Pro is a close second choice. As long as they're experienced in this niche & you can afford a really really good one.
Yep. Hot coffee shooting out of my nostrils. Thanks for that.If you want professional results, go with a pro, like these guys...
- Apr 1, 2000
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LowNloud1
Commercial User
- Jun 11, 2012
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- I am a hobbyist making stone picks that I sell but mostly give away. They made me do this anyways.
We spent a good amount of money on a professional and got good shots. The drummer left 6 months later and now the pics are worthless. Amateur all the way next time.
Darn tooting. The fastest way to make peeps split is to spend big bucks on pro pics.
I always tell them to Photoshop Tom Cruise in for my place. ...Umm... none have taken me up on that one so far... dammit.
...My wife takes pictures of pictures...
