I have a freind with a nice 500 ws Novatron kit with 3 heads for probably
$350-$400. I have been using Novatrons for years with little issues. For groups
I use Lumedyne 400 ws on camera add a 400 ws booster know you can run 3 heads
effectively ...try bare bulb sometime you will like the even lighting.  I also
plug the pc cord into the flash and get great ttl metering. I am a dealer for
Lumedune my collegues here get 23% off list price on new, I do have a few 200 ws
packs for sale with the standard head but you will need a battery and charger.
www.lumedyne.com
Peace, David


   David Wright Photography & Productions
   "Boldly taking events to a new level"
      Ph: 727-448-0434  24/7
Your GREEN SCREEN Specialist!
                   Main Site: 
www.digitalimageproduction.com     
           Our Planner Friendly Website: 
www.conventioneventphotography.com
 Boogie Bodies dancing body videos    www.groovybodies.net  
Samples of our Groovy Boogie Bodies videos:   www.youtube.com/groovybodies 

--- On Wed, 12/2/09, posterman@... <posterman@...>
wrote:


From: posterman@... <posterman@...>
Subject: Re: [artisticaction] Re: Strobes?
To: artisticaction@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 1:10 PM


 



I started off using a Canon St-22 - and ran into it not making contact
with flash in the umbrella. ST-22 was nowhere near worth its cost.

Other times I used an RF transmitter and still had firing problems -
partially due to having flash unit that does not support external battery
packs.

I am preparing to shoot some large group pictures. I can not afford 2
Canon 580Ex units at 400+ each only to discover they do not work any
better in the umbrellas.

I got 3 stands - 3 umbrellas.

Louis

On this subject, which is more preferable, continuous lights or flashes?

Photogenic 1250 lights are 500 watt/seconds.  Alien Bee 1600 are 620
watt/seconds.

For shooting inside with groups of reasonable size, you can get by with a
minimum of 160 w/s.  Outside and or with larger groups you could need as much as
320 w/s.  Existing light and distance are factors as well as how you are
reflecting the flash ie umbrella.

For shooting individuals you may only use 50 w/s.  Buy what you can afford in a
2 strobe setup and add the 3rd light later if your budget is limited.

I have the Photogenic 1250DR and they are excellent.  I also use Norman 400B's
for portables which are 400 w/s.

320 w/s is 1 full stop brighter than 160 w/s.  A typical shoe mount flash is
around or less than 75 w/s.  You want to be able set your camera with a low ISO
like 100-200.  A shutter enough to freeze and movement like more than 60 but no
more than 250. And an aperture that give you the depth of field to keep subjects
in sharp focus.

I started off using a Canon St-22 - and ran into it not making contact
with flash in the umbrella. ST-22 was nowhere near worth its cost.

Other times I used an RF transmitter and still had firing problems -
partially due to having flash unit that does not support external battery
packs.

I am preparing to shoot some large group pictures. I can not afford 2
Canon  580Ex units at 400+ each only to discover they do not work any
better in the umbrellas.

I got 3 stands - 3 umbrellas.

Louis


> Louis,
> Can you tell us why your wireless battery flashes has been a problem?  I
> am thinking that you may be able to get help resolving your issue and save
> yourself some expenses.
>
> Additionally, please be careful getting a basic lighting kit on Ebay -
> when I was starting out I went that route on a cheap set and it was a
> total waste of money.  Sure they had fast delivery but....  The strobes
> were terrible and I was unable to get the same output on 5 shots in a row
> - so you can imagine that my images were all over the spectrum!!!  So now
> all I ever use from the 'kit' is the light stands and umbrellas.
>
> Regards,
> Jane
> Getting2KnowU Inc.
> www.Getting2KnowU.com
>
>
> --- In artisticaction@yahoogroups.com, posterman@... wrote:
>>
>> Thank you for asking this one - I am needing the same information - been
>> looking at some basic lighting kits on Ebay since my luck with wireless
>> battery flashes has been poor.
>>
>> Louis
>>
>>
>> > I am in need of purchasing some extra lighting. I only have 2
>> continuous
>> > lights w/ umbrellas and need something much more powerful. I need
>> > something for team shots in gyms, but would also do a big family.
>> Those
>> > who use these, what do you have and what do you recommend as the min.
>> watt
>> > per strobe? Also, what is your setup? Do you place each strobe at a 45
>> > degree angle to the group? Do you use an additional boom overhead?
>> >
>> > Thanks for any help... I will have boys and girls basketball photos
>> > soon....
>> >
>> > Kerry Carter
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>
>

Louis,
Can you tell us why your wireless battery flashes has been a problem?  I am
thinking that you may be able to get help resolving your issue and save yourself
some expenses.

Additionally, please be careful getting a basic lighting kit on Ebay - when I
was starting out I went that route on a cheap set and it was a total waste of
money.  Sure they had fast delivery but....  The strobes were terrible and I was
unable to get the same output on 5 shots in a row - so you can imagine that my
images were all over the spectrum!!!  So now all I ever use from the 'kit' is
the light stands and umbrellas.

Regards,
Jane
Getting2KnowU Inc.
www.Getting2KnowU.com


--- In artisticaction@yahoogroups.com, posterman@... wrote:
>
> Thank you for asking this one - I am needing the same information - been
> looking at some basic lighting kits on Ebay since my luck with wireless
> battery flashes has been poor.
>
> Louis
>
>
> > I am in need of purchasing some extra lighting. I only have 2 continuous
> > lights w/ umbrellas and need something much more powerful. I need
> > something for team shots in gyms, but would also do a big family. Those
> > who use these, what do you have and what do you recommend as the min. watt
> > per strobe? Also, what is your setup? Do you place each strobe at a 45
> > degree angle to the group? Do you use an additional boom overhead?
> >
> > Thanks for any help... I will have boys and girls basketball photos
> > soon....
> >
> > Kerry Carter
> >
> >
> >
>

I have a set of Photogenic 1250 lights (125watts), they can be ordered from B&H
Photo in NYC (www.bhphotovideo.com) for around $1500 I think I paid.  It comes
with two 125 power heads and one smaller light which is good to light up
backgrounds.  If I was going to shoot team photos I would set both main lights
up on approx 45 degree angles and the smaller light behind the group to light up
the background.  Sometimes I angle one of the main lights up toward the ceiling
(if its white) to bounce light down on the subjects (simulates a hair light).  I
may even point the smaller light towards the celing as well.
To be honest though, I have actually been shooting all of my indoor team photos
with on camera flash and the results have been great.  I set the ISO to the
appropriate level based upon the available light in the gym (so the background
gets a good exposure), then set my white balance.  I always shoot on RAW, then
process afterwards in Adobe Lightroom.  The end results are just as good as with
studio lighting, with a LOT less work.
If you do buy the studio lighting, I would highly reccomend using it for action
shots however over an on-camera flash.  For baskteball I put one light in each
corner of the gym about 25ft away from the corner of the court and angle them up
towards a white ceiling so they bounce down approximately halfway between the
foul line and basket.  This usually results in good exposures anywhere inside
the 3 point line.  Shooting the lights towards the ceiling means strobes wont be
going off directly at players faces and altering their shots.  I setup my camera
in manual at 100 ISO, 1/250 second exposure (max I can do with my lights) and
then my aperature is usually around 5.6.  Once you have your camera setup like
that, then adjust the power of your lights to produce a good exposure.  I shoot
all of my photos from the corner of the court with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. 
Remember, you will need a wireless transmitter as well... something like a Radio
Slave 4i or a Pocket Wizard.
Best of luck to you....

Chris

   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Frank and Kerry Carter
   To: artisticaction@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 1:21 PM
   Subject: [artisticaction] Strobes?



   I am in need of purchasing some extra lighting. I only have 2 continuous
lights w/ umbrellas and need something much more powerful. I need something for
team shots in gyms, but would also do a big family. Those who use these, what do
you have and what do you recommend as the min. watt per strobe? Also, what is
your setup? Do you place each strobe at a 45 degree angle to the group? Do you
use an additional boom overhead?

   Thanks for any help... I will have boys and girls basketball photos soon....

   Kerry Carter

Thank you for asking this one - I am needing the same information - been
looking at some basic lighting kits on Ebay since my luck with wireless
battery flashes has been poor.

Louis


> I am in need of purchasing some extra lighting. I only have 2 continuous
> lights w/ umbrellas and need something much more powerful. I need
> something for team shots in gyms, but would also do a big family. Those
> who use these, what do you have and what do you recommend as the min. watt
> per strobe? Also, what is your setup? Do you place each strobe at a 45
> degree angle to the group? Do you use an additional boom overhead?
>
> Thanks for any help... I will have boys and girls basketball photos
> soon....
>
> Kerry Carter
>
>
>

I have a set of Photogenic 1250 lights (125watts), they can be ordered from B&H
Photo in NYC (www.bhphotovideo.com) for around $1500 I think I paid.  It comes
with two 125 power heads and one smaller light which is good to light up
backgrounds.  If I was going to shoot team photos I would set both main lights
up on approx 45 degree angles and the smaller light behind the group to light up
the background.  Sometimes I angle one of the main lights up toward the ceiling
(if its white) to bounce light down on the subjects (simulates a hair light).  I
may even point the smaller light towards the celing as well.
To be honest though, I have actually been shooting all of my indoor team photos
with on camera flash and the results have been great.  I set the ISO to the
appropriate level based upon the available light in the gym (so the background
gets a good exposure), then set my white balance.  I always shoot on RAW, then
process afterwards in Adobe Lightroom.  The end results are just as good as with
studio lighting, with a LOT less work.
If you do buy the studio lighting, I would highly reccomend using it for action
shots however over an on-camera flash.  For baskteball I put one light in each
corner of the gym about 25ft away from the corner of the court and angle them up
towards a white ceiling so they bounce down approximately halfway between the
foul line and basket.  This usually results in good exposures anywhere inside
the 3 point line.  Shooting the lights towards the ceiling means strobes wont be
going off directly at players faces and altering their shots.  I setup my camera
in manual at 100 ISO, 1/250 second exposure (max I can do with my lights) and
then my aperature is usually around 5.6.  Once you have your camera setup like
that, then adjust the power of your lights to produce a good exposure.  I shoot
all of my photos from the corner of the court with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. 
Remember, you will need a wireless transmitter as well... something like a Radio
Slave 4i or a Pocket Wizard.
Best of luck to you....

Chris

   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Frank and Kerry Carter
   To: artisticaction@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 1:21 PM
   Subject: [artisticaction] Strobes?



   I am in need of purchasing some extra lighting. I only have 2 continuous
lights w/ umbrellas and need something much more powerful. I need something for
team shots in gyms, but would also do a big family. Those who use these, what do
you have and what do you recommend as the min. watt per strobe? Also, what is
your setup? Do you place each strobe at a 45 degree angle to the group? Do you
use an additional boom overhead?

   Thanks for any help... I will have boys and girls basketball photos soon....

   Kerry Carter

Kerry I have 3 lighting setups. Of the the three I find the Alin Bee's the most
useful for T&I indoors and out. Buy their 1600 watt lights (you choose the
color) 2 to begin and perhaps a 3rd as backup.

Lights in front of the team backdrop shooting into (black backed) umbrellas. No
boom overhead. Same light setup for kids as team to save time

Brad
All-Star digital






   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Frank and Kerry Carter
   To: artisticaction@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 1:21 PM
   Subject: [artisticaction] Strobes?



   I am in need of purchasing some extra lighting. I only have 2 continuous
lights w/ umbrellas and need something much more powerful. I need something for
team shots in gyms, but would also do a big family. Those who use these, what do
you have and what do you recommend as the min. watt per strobe? Also, what is
your setup? Do you place each strobe at a 45 degree angle to the group? Do you
use an additional boom overhead?

   Thanks for any help... I will have boys and girls basketball photos soon....

   Kerry Carter

I am in need of purchasing some extra lighting. I only have 2 continuous lights
w/ umbrellas and need something much more powerful. I need something for team
shots in gyms, but would also do a big family. Those who use these, what do you
have and what do you recommend as the min. watt per strobe? Also, what is your
setup? Do you place each strobe at a 45 degree angle to the group? Do you use an
additional boom overhead?

Thanks for any help... I will have boys and girls basketball photos soon....

Kerry Carter

Please take a few moments to check out our demos, help, tip & idea files at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/artisticaction/files/

And our links area for links to sport photography forums, printing services and
more at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/artisticaction/links

----------
Freebies & Demos @ http://www.artisticaction.com/downloaddemo.htm

Help getting started with Templates Unlimited @
http://www.artisticaction.com/howto_details.htm

There are some important things in photography that can affect the
results of shooting that we can use it to get a photography creation.
Maybe some of these things can inspire you to create on the photography,
Read at http://photography-shoot.blogspot.com/
<http://photography-shoot.blogspot.com/>

Hello, does anyone have a vendor for the tickets templates? I'm looking for
clear lanyards and ticket holders, any ideas?

Have a good day
Thank you again.

Thank you again.
-----Original Message-----
From: "Artistic Images" <artistic.images@...>
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:44:40
To: <artisticaction@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [artisticaction] Button question

I design mine on a 5x5.


   ----- Original Message -----
   From: gcobian@...
   To: artisticaction@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 2:36 PM
   Subject: [artisticaction] Button question



   Hello online family. when using the buttons templates, what image size should
I be using? 3x3 for the H/W is to small. Should I adjust the image or the canvas
size?

   Thank you guys in advance.

I would add at least a 1/4 inch on each side i.e. 3.5" x 3.5" for a 3" button.

--- In artisticaction@yahoogroups.com, gcobian@... wrote:
>
> Hello online family.  when using the buttons templates, what image size should
I be using? 3x3 for the H/W is to small. Should I adjust the image or the canvas
size?
>
> Thank you guys in advance.
>

I design mine on a 5x5.


   ----- Original Message -----
   From: gcobian@...
   To: artisticaction@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 2:36 PM
   Subject: [artisticaction] Button question



   Hello online family. when using the buttons templates, what image size should
I be using? 3x3 for the H/W is to small. Should I adjust the image or the canvas
size?

   Thank you guys in advance.

Depending on the type you are looking for, FilmetPro, in PA is good, along with
EventPhotoMarket.com, in KY, and Richmond Pro. You can also check out PR Photo
lab out of NC.

  Kerry Carter
Kerry Carter Photography
http://www.kerrycarterphotography.com
Member of the PPA and the SEP

Hello online family.  when using the buttons templates, what image size should I
be using? 3x3 for the H/W is to small. Should I adjust the image or the canvas
size?

Thank you guys in advance.

Thanks for the info.

I use Richmondprolab.com and I have been very happy with them.

--- In artisticaction@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff" <jtuttlephoto@...> wrote:
>
> Looking for a good supplier of some sports bag tags. Any leads out there?
Thanks in advance!
>

Thanks, Rich. Glad to have you on board again.Let me know if you come up with
those numbers.

Rick

----- Original Message -----
   From: potrett
   To: artisticaction@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 11:03 PM
   Subject: [artisticaction] Tips For Better Backgrounds Photography



   Photography backgrounds is very influence to the subjects in the
   captured results such as the influence of color between backgrounds and
   the subjects.The background or a background color that is not in
   accordance with the subjects or subjects color will be able to damage
   the image.Here are some tips to dealing with distracting backgrounds at
   http://photography-shoot.blogspot.com/
   <http://photography-shoot.blogspot.com/>

Photography backgrounds is very influence to the subjects in the
captured results such as the influence of color between backgrounds and
the subjects.The background or a background color that is not in
accordance with the subjects or subjects color will be able to damage
the image.Here are some tips to dealing with distracting backgrounds at
http://photography-shoot.blogspot.com/
   <http://photography-shoot.blogspot.com/>

If anyone is interested. At Buy.com. Limit 20 per customer.


http://www.buy.com/prod/adobe-photoshop-elements-8-windows-bundle-w-digital-came\
ra/q/loc/105/212945934.html?adid=17653

Hi,


Photoshop tutorial : High key glow effect in photoshop, Click :
http://www.digital-photography.50webs.com/home/tutorial/High_Key_Glow_Effect_In_\
Photoshop.html

thanks.
rgds,

Photoshop tutorials and articles
http://digital-photography.50webs.com

Panning is a technique that can produce extraordinary results,
especially moving subjects with consistently practice.Shutter speed will
give a significant impact on our picture taken, especially if the
subjects are moving.Read more the panning tips at
http://photography-shoot.blogspot.com/
<http://photography-shoot.blogspot.com/>

Looking for a good supplier of some sports bag tags. Any leads out there? Thanks
in advance!

Try pkgraphics.com


> I have a customer that is looking for some banners of each player on the
> team to be hung up in a sports venue. They don't want some cheap looking
> banners, they want the material to be something more than just cheap
> vinyl. Any leads on where to get them done? Thanks in advance!
>
>

Call Richard at Big Dog Promotions (256)658-4547. They can print on a variety of
materials and sizes. He just did a couple of 5x10 feet posters of senior
basketball players for one of the local high schools to hang in their gym.

Tell him HUD sent you ;)

-------------- Original message from "Jeff" <jtuttlephoto@...>:
--------------


I have a customer that is looking for some banners of each player on the team to
be hung up in a sports venue. They don't want some cheap looking banners, they
want the material to be something more than just cheap vinyl. Any leads on where
to get them done? Thanks in advance!

I have a customer that is looking for some banners of each player on the team to
be hung up in a sports venue. They don't want some cheap looking banners, they
want the material to be something more than just cheap vinyl. Any leads on where
to get them done? Thanks in advance!

Thanks for this link. I for one could use some educating when it comes to wide
angles. I normally shoot tight to block out distractions and get the emphasis
where I want it, but I recently bought a wide angle and I'm not really getting a
lot of use out of it. Maybe this will encourage me to try something new.

Blessings,
Patty


   ----- Original Message -----
   From: potrett
   To: artisticaction@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 4:23 AM
   Subject: [artisticaction] Wide-Angle Lens Usage Tips



   Wide-angle lens is made the object becomes smaller.But with the benefits
   of wide-angel lens,we can create images with great impact by using it
   correctly. Read more at http://photography-shoot.blogspot.com/
   <http://photography-shoot.blogspot.com/>