HELP! Please :)

PsiFox said:
Sometimes we even agree on things;)
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Not often but somtimes.

squirrelfool said:
To be honest I don't think I will stick around. I fully understand some people's annoyance at a stupid little amateur but to rip me to shreds for a typo and to speak to me as though I am a complete and utter idiot is slightly unnecessary.

Thanks to those who were helpful.
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Your choice, if you cant take that this aint the right place for you anyway. This is a place for honest advice and that is what we have given it. Dont like it then :wave:
 
squirrelfool said:
To be honest I don't think I will stick around. I fully understand some people's annoyance at a stupid little amateur but to rip me to shreds for a typo and to speak to me as though I am a complete and utter idiot is slightly unnecessary.

Thanks to those who were helpful.
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Well it was understandable and the 2 and 0 are well separated for a typo, so what were we to assume.

No one tore you to shreds, they just commented on your post content and we haven't yet become pyschic:)

No one is a stupid little amateur, we are all photographers here on a jorney to constantly improve and pass on advice to others.

You should stay.
 
darrenwxm said:
I would use use your 50mm lens and set to aperture priority that will enable you to control depth of field and help with low light. To help with the pressure I would offer your services for free and then say they can buy prints off you after they have seen them! I am in a similar boat just starting out and this is what I am going to do to build up a portfolio we have to start somewhere and one event has to be the first just go out and enjoy the experience!!
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This is just my opinion!!!
I have to agree with this - we do all start somewhere (even you guys that have been doing it for years) maybe just lay off a little and give the advise asked for :shake:

Its clear that this is a job for a friend and they have offered to help pay for the fuel costs - no need to pay tax on that. It is always a good idea to have insurance for your sake as well as everyone else :thumbs:

Do practice as much as possible before the event, that dont cost you anything - just take the pictures and delete them after. You need to try every possible setting. Get to the church if you can and see the lighting conditions, get a flash gun - £80 band new from Jessops - i have one and they are fine. Do some portrait pictures of your friends before and search other photographers sites for picture idea.

Just go and take the pictures you feel you like and do your best - they clearly know you are no expert so cant expect anything else.....you never know you might surprise yourself :bonk:

Best of luck and let us know how you get on - would love to see the end result (if the couple are happy for you to post a couple of the pictures of course) :thumbs:
 
squirrelfool said:
To be honest I didn't realise how important PLI is! It never really crossed my mind in all honesty- for this reason I have backed out as I don't think it is worth the risk- not when there are children involved!
Thanks you very much those of you who offered decent advice! I am going to get a lot of practice in and invest in a decent flash gun before eventually taking on any jobs.
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Seeing that you've backed out this is kind of a moot point but if you complete your profile info to include location you never know someone local to you may offer help :thumbs: and reading through the thread there really wasn't anything posted that I consider malicious :thumbs: what is clear is you were not prepared for this job and you've come to realise this point, it's a shame that you were not in a position to do the job but if I'm honest this type of work is not something that you should consider trying to learn on the job :nono: why not get a couple of friends together and have a go at some low light work :thumbs:

I cannot extol the benefits of a good flash gun, I use mine almost all of the time :D they are worth there weight in gold :thumbs:

Matt
MWHCVT
 
I liked the honest advice- as you can see I definitely agreed and took it on board. Very glad I posted on here to get said advice. Am simply saying that several people seemed to cling on to one silly typo which I just found rather strange and unnecessary on a forum for sensible and intelligent people.
 
asphotographymk said:
Your choice, if you cant take that this aint the right place for you anyway. This is a place for honest advice and that is what we have given it. Dont like it then :wave:
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I have to agree. We've given honest advise which perhaps you didn't want to hear. If you can't take constructive criticism, then you will struggle on this forum and also in your learning of photography and everything that goes with it unfortunately.
 
squirrelfool said:
I liked the honest advice- as you can see I definitely agreed and took it on board. Very glad I posted on here to get said advice. Am simply saying that several people seemed to cling on to one silly typo which I just found rather strange and unnecessary on a forum for sensible and intelligent people.
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Because has said the 2 and the 0 are a little far apart to be a typo, i would suggest it was an honest mistake based on the 52mm filter.. If it was a typo then also fair mistake but to most people here it was just one more reason why you seemed to not be skilled for this job.
 
I typed 52 instead of 50 by mistake!!?? PLEASE forgive me. again THANKS to helpful posters and SOD you god complex photographers :p hahaha BYE
 
TheRightMoments said:
This is just my opinion!!!
I have to agree with this - we do all start somewhere (even you guys that have been doing it for years) maybe just lay off a little and give the advise asked for :shake:

Its clear that this is a job for a friend and they have offered to help pay for the fuel costs - no need to pay tax on that. It is always a good idea to have insurance for your sake as well as everyone else :thumbs:

Do practice as much as possible before the event, that dont cost you anything - just take the pictures and delete them after. You need to try every possible setting. Get to the church if you can and see the lighting conditions, get a flash gun - £80 band new from Jessops - i have one and they are fine. Do some portrait pictures of your friends before and search other photographers sites for picture idea.

Just go and take the pictures you feel you like and do your best - they clearly know you are no expert so cant expect anything else.....you never know you might surprise yourself :bonk:

Best of luck and let us know how you get on - would love to see the end result (if the couple are happy for you to post a couple of the pictures of course) :thumbs:
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Unfortunately the first post said amongst it

paid job
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I do not feel remotely set up to do it
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I am very concerned about the low light in the church
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am unsure about how to make the photographs look good?
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am unsure about how to make the photographs look good

don't have a separate flash gun
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Now even I suggested things to do but the OP was almost completely negative about this, not even a "I am really looking forward to the opportunity"
 
squirrelfool said:
I typed 52 instead of 50 by mistake!!?? PLEASE forgive me. again THANKS to helpful posters and SOD you god complex photographers :p hahaha BYE
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Nice attiude!!:razz:
 
the typo I'm afraid was just one of many reasons.
 
LOLZ sorry can't even be bothered to stay polite to some of you who just don't deserve it. Have a LOVELY day darling :) x
 
Seriously,I think you've been very wise in passing up this job and you have plenty of time in front of you -there'll be many others you're better equipped for.

Don't be daft - stick around here - it's a great source of knowledge and genuine help when you need it. ;)
 
Give the fella a break folks - he's been mature enough to take on board the advice he's been given.
 
squirrelfool said:
LOLZ sorry can't even be bothered to stay polite to some of you who just don't deserve it. Have a LOVELY day darling :) x
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I am thank you sweetie:) and I still think you should stay.
 
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Simmotino said:
Sorry, but I smell a fish.
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yep you arent the only one - when you consider the mutal contractory statements being made like

I have to do it as it has all been arranged and it is too late to back out.
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I have literally no choice but to do it
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I have backed out as I don't think it is worth the risk
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and

it is a slightly informal friend of a friend kind of thing and they are just covering my travel costs so no I don't have any of that
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I will only charge them if the results are ok and even then it will be a very low price.
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and


I basically need telling exactly what setting is going to be the best in the situation. I have real problems with low-light photography :/
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I do know how to use a camera and CAN take photographs in low-light
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:thinking::shrug:

I do have to wonder if the whole point was to provoke a negative reaction
 
big soft moose said:
yep you arent the only one - when you consider the mutal contractory statements being made like






and





and






:thinking::shrug:

I do have to wonder if the whole point was to provoke a negative reaction
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Perhaps but all he/she got was genuine advice and concern for financial wellbeing.
 
Thank you CT. Again would like to just say I really do appreciate the helpful advice and have absolutely taken it seriously! None of that advice was harsh- just necessary. Only got an issue with the pointless comments.
 
hello Big Soft Moose (love the name) Yes I can understand the confusion there actually.. basically:
-It really was too late to back out but as it was something as important as PLI (which had not been previously considered) I didn't have much choice.
-The agreement was they would pay me a 'generous fuel allowance' which I would decide and tell them. Though is the results were awful of course I wouldn't even have charged that!!
- I am not confident with low light photography.I am able to do it but as I'm sure you'll understand- in pressured situations ones brain can go blank and the nerves can get the better of you.

Hope this clears it up.
 
squirrelfool said:
To be honest I don't think I will stick around. I fully understand some people's annoyance at a stupid little amateur but to rip me to shreds for a typo and to speak to me as though I am a complete and utter idiot is slightly unnecessary.

Thanks to those who were helpful.
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Please think about this. Most people around here will give accurate, helpful advice, it's just that they may be um, somewhat robust about it. If you strip away the more emotive comments and concentrate on the dialectic, it reduces to something like: consensus suggests that may it be best if you reconsider your decision to accept this commission.

If you are planning to become a professional, you will have to develop a thick skin. The advice offered above is, on the whole, offered in the honest belief that taking this job on could have resulted in disaster. Had people wanted to be truly malicious, they would have encouraged you to go ahead in the hope of seeing you fail.

This did not happen.

If you do stick around, people will respect you for it, especially as you did decide not to take this job on - your very first paid work! And I expect the couple will respect you as well, when you explain. That is a professional attitude, accepting that something is out of your sphere of competence at the moment. Flouncing off in a hissy fit is not.

Offer to shoot their next christening, perhaps? By which time you will know how to do it. :)
 
Thanks Jon. yes I agree- and as I have said a lot I am glad I posted here as the overall advice was helpful and I fully agree! At the same time though- I am a young girl with little confidence in the first place and feel a wee tad trampled on. I would like to continue to make use of some of the great brains on here but am genuinely a little anxious to post again!

Again- this is not because I cannot take criticism- I love constructive criticism- how else do we learn!
 
squirrelfool said:
Thanks Jon. yes I agree- and as I have said a lot I am glad I posted here as the overall advice was helpful and I fully agree! At the same time though- I am a young girl with little confidence in the first place and feel a wee tad trampled on. I would like to continue to make use of some of the great brains on here but am genuinely a little anxious to post again!

Again- this is not because I cannot take criticism- I love constructive criticism- how else do we learn!
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Please don't be. As has been said the advice you were given was honest and intended to help/protect you.

I look forward to seeing some of your work soon:)
 
squirrelfool said:
hello Big Soft Moose (love the name) Yes I can understand the confusion there actually.. basically:
-It really was too late to back out but as it was something as important as PLI (which had not been previously considered) I didn't have much choice.
-The agreement was they would pay me a 'generous fuel allowance' which I would decide and tell them. Though is the results were awful of course I wouldn't even have charged that!!
- I am not confident with low light photography.I am able to do it but as I'm sure you'll understand- in pressured situations ones brain can go blank and the nerves can get the better of you.

Hope this clears it up.
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fair play

note for future reference, the most you can take for travel is 45p/mile - HMRC will consider anything over that to be a taxable payment and technically if you are taking any money you ought to do a tax return even if it comes up a zero to pay. Obviously a one off where someone gives you a tenner for fuel may not be worth worrying about, but if you are doing it regularly you need to talk to your local HMRC office for advice

Also with regard to the insurance angle - for future reference you can get by the day cover from a broker - this costs about £25/day - however if you find you are shooting regularly it makes more economic sense to get a propper annual policy.
 
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Your first post gave the impression that you'd taken on paid work and really hadn't a clue how to go about it, and that's how I read it too. If that wasn't quite what you meant to say, okay, but it's a bit of a sensitive issue on the forums. A lot of the responses were pretty blunt, but take them in the spirit they were meant - to protect you from the risk of embarrassing yourself and the possibility of legal risks.

This is over now, forget about it. Quite a few of us get stuck into each other over some things - particularly in the OOF threads - but we're still talking! You've gained a lot of respect for being realistic and making the right decision. Stick around and I think you'll find it's worthwhile.
 
If it was a typo I apologise, but Im sure reading back through some of your posts you can see why some thought what they did.

Stick around and soak up some of the knowledge here and you'll be ready to face one the next time you get asked in no time :thumbs:
 
Wow- a lot of you guys are actually pretty cool. Respect to you! I would like to stick around and pick your noggins to be honest as I really want to learn! Buy please be gentle with me! I'm just a silly little girl!
 
squirrelfool said:
Thanks Jon. yes I agree- and as I have said a lot I am glad I posted here as the overall advice was helpful and I fully agree! At the same time though- I am a young girl with little confidence in the first place and feel a wee tad trampled on. I would like to continue to make use of some of the great brains on here but am genuinely a little anxious to post again!

Again- this is not because I cannot take criticism- I love constructive criticism- how else do we learn!
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Leaning to be confident is an essential trait in photography. This is a good place to start.

You could perhaps point out to Mr Moose that the rate for business travel is now 45p, having gone up a while ago. You could ask him how much he may have missed out on, if you wanted. :D
 
squirrelfool said:
Wow- a lot of you guys are actually pretty cool. Respect to you! I would like to stick around and pick your noggins to be honest as I really want to learn! Buy please be gentle with me! I'm just a silly little girl!
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A lot of people are very helpful on here. Some are blunt and to the point, some dress it up a little, bit like any other community.
 
jon ryan said:
You could perhaps point out to Mr Moose that the rate for business travel is now 45p, having gone up a while ago. You could ask him how much he may have missed out on, if you wanted. :D
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ohh arse :bonk:

I thought it might be - but i erred to the side of caution in my advice as its better to claim too little than too much

When did it go up ?
 
big soft moose said:
fair play

note for future reference, the most you can take for travel is 40p/mile - HMRC will consider anything over that to be a taxable payment and technically if you are taking any money you ought to do a tax return even if it comes up a zero to pay. Obviously a one off where someone gives you a tenner for fuel may not be worth worrying about, but if you are doing it regularly you need to talk to your local HMRC office for advice

Also with regard to the insurance angle - for future reference you can get by the day cover from a broker - this costs about £25/day - however if you find you are shooting regularly it makes more economic sense to get a propper annual policy.
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Direct Line offer 2million PLI for around £55 a year
 
big soft moose said:
ohh arse :bonk:

I thought it might be - but i erred to the side of caution in my advice as its better to claim too little than too much

When did it go up ?
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Just a typo, was it? :D

from 2011/12 Have to say I rather like the idea of making 20p/mile for using a push-bike. I may even get one!
 
Squirrelfool; We can be harsh around here but we are all nice enough. You will get used to the tone here soon enough as it can all be a little hard but thats the way your going to learn. Also dont forget how often we read posts like this and most people let there ego get in the way and shoot it anyway. You have used your head and made the right decision. That is not to say never jump in to a shoot and give it a go just that you should have all basis covered before you do. Stick around, take the good comments with the bad and build a thick skin. I am forever disagreeing with people on here and sometimes we have harsh words. ( ask fracster he hates me lol)

If you stick around you will learn lots i promise.
 
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