Here's an email I received this week...thought I'd answer it for everyone who's amateur turning pro photographer! My comments will be in bold!
Hi Noemi!
I'm another one of your devoted blog fans and found you (at first) by reading about the Morrisons. But, I fell in love with your images and as an amateur photographer myself (who has also shot 3 or 4 weddings of friends and "friends of friends"), I wanted to know if you could help me with a couple of things.
First of all, thank you for being so open on your web site about your "tricks of the trade." I also do wedding coordination here in Central Florida as part of the Wonderful Weddings team, (www.wonderfulweddingsorlando.com) and I have the opportunity to talk with our resident pro photographers all the time. Most of them are using the Canon 5D and I did consider that for a purchase. However, after seeing that you are shooting with the 30D and getting such fabulous results (and also after comparing it on dpreview.com and seeing that it will take my existing Canon Digital Rebel EF-S lens) I went and bought my own. I LOVE it!!! I shot a wedding in Atlanta last month for my nephew and I was really pleased with the results.
Always buy the best! Especially if you're entertaining the idea of growing a business. I do use 2 Canon 30D's but, I'm buying a Canon 5D early next year. The difference is substantial. But, having said that, the 30D is a great "in-between" camera. Canon is an amazing name and their lenses are the best! If your finances are tight I'd spend the money on the Canon 30D and buy a upgraded lens and flash. Really nice lenses are just as important as great cameras. SIDE NOTE: The Canon 5D doesn't have a pop up flash and should be used when you're ready to shoot on the manual settings.
My main question is, which version of Adobe Photoshop are you using? I downloaded a free trial of CS3 but I can't find any fellow photographers around here using it. Most of them are still using CS2. I am debating whether or not to spend the money when my 30-day trial runs out. I love the program so far, but I wanted to get your thoughts.
I use Adobe Photoshop but will be upgrading to CS3 soon. Again, always buy the latest version...there always good reasons for why the company spent the time and money to came out with a new version! They improved the old program. Honestly, the only reason why I don't have it yet is cause I've been so busy shooting and editing. I didn't want to have to learn the new program too!
Also, can you tell me about Lightroom? I can't say enough good things about Adobe Lightroom. If you're not currenting using a program that let's you manipulate pictures...get it! It works with MAC's and PC's but I've also heard the program Aperture is great for MAC's too!
Thank you SO much,
Elaine Federico
P.S. I have a little website........ www.elainefedericophotography.com
If you're interested in photography and want to get better spend time every week looking at pictures and talk through what you love and what you don't like...it really helps when you're on the spot and needing to get a good picture fast!
www.noemiphotography.com