Because You Asked {Part IV}
I know from your previous post that you mostly use a 50mm and a 24-70mm is that with canon? Or do you stray an go for sigma or third party lenses? Any other favorite lenses?
All of my lenses are Canon. I’ve only ever bought one third party lens and I just didn’t love it. Personally, I recommend spending the extra and getting the very best glass you can afford.
Before that fabulous canon 5d camera…what did you use?
I’ve always been a Canon girl..The 300D first, then the 40D, the 5D and then I upgraded to the 5D Mark 2. Lately I’m loving Nikon color though..we always want what we don’t have!
Maybe from time to time you could give lens/settings/etc and then tell us what you used to post process it!! Those of us with your actions might love to hear this! I know I would!!
Sure, I will certainly try to remember to include that info! The image above was:
f2.8, 1/5000 sec/ iso 100 (24-70 2.8 Canon lens)
Post processing – Toy Camera, Mini Makeover and Buttersnap actions. (Eye Candy Actions)
My love and eye for photography leads everyone around me to suggest i take it to the next level but i’m still very much in the learning process. i’ve done a few shoots outside of my friends and family but i’ve never accepted any money because i don’t feel as though my photos are exactly “professional quality”. so my question is, how did you make the jump from just enjoying/learning photography to doing it professionally as well?
This is whole chapter in Evolve & always a very hot topic in the workshop forums! I can tell you that every single person considering going into pro photography has similar questions & concerns when starting out. In brief, this is my advice:
When you find people outside your immediate circle of family and friends are requesting photos and/or asking what you charge, it’s time to start charging. Photographers are notoriously critical about their own work so don’t wait for a day where you expect to wake up and feel convinced you’re good enough to be paid..that only comes after people start paying you! You have to just take the risk, make the jump and run with smoke and mirrors until it feels more natural. Start calling yourself a photographer. Put together a logo and a small website – even if it’s just a blog. You don’t need to have an expensive website and a huge array of images to begin. With each shoot you do, you will gain more confidence but the hardest part is believing in yourself and that just comes with time and experience. Evolve includes a lot more information and practical resources for getting started so that may interest you at some point.
I’d love to know how you made the jump. I know a lot of people who find it difficult to make that leap..
I closed my eyes and ran :) I was extremely nervous the first year or so of shooting real clients and often felt like I was only pretending to be a photographer! I think everyone has periods of doubt about their own work and abilities but I’ve learned over time to accept it as part of the job. There are good weeks and bad weeks and inspiration comes and goes. If you’re at a point where you feel you probably should be charging, then you definitely should. Just do it! I am thankful every day that I took the plunge and put my fears aside..I have the best “job” on Earth.
When are you moving to SoCal?? Haha.. you know you want to! I think at least you should come back & do an in-person workshop! In Laguna Beach of course.
Not a day goes by where we don’t talk about the notion of moving to SoCal! It wouldn’t take a lot of persuasion! And yes, I also imagine a day I’ll do in person workshops..Here or there or both :)
I would really like to see a photo straight out of your camera and then the same photo after you have ‘photo shopped it..
Sure! Here’s the photo I posted of Ivy the other day – I’ll share a little about the processing..
While shooting into the sun is perfectly natural for me (I rarely even think to turn the other way), it does mean a little extra work in processing. In order to keep color in the sky, I needed to under-expose which means some lightening of the subject is required straight up. I also had to spend a little time working with the slight “banding” you see in the sky. (Where there obvious color shifts, a result of shooting JPEG in SRGB color space and often made worse working in PS in 8 bit mode). I did this with some noise addition and gaussian blur. The only other adjustments from there color shifts and sharpening – all via Eye Candy Actions Zap and Softly. I use layer masks the whole way through my processing to tweak where-ever needed. Being the flare junkie that I am, this was a favorite from the set that day :) Hope this helps!
If you’re still with me here, just one last admin thing…Fran has major ongoing issues emailing people with AOL and Comcast accounts from our Eye Candy address. If you have either and are waiting to hear back re a workshop, can you please send through an alternative email address? It’s frustrating for us and no doubt disappointing for those who miss out on place offers due to over-zealous SPAM filters.. Thankyou!!
S x
35 shared sentiments
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i just have to say… i love you, sheye! you are so open and willing to share and i love that about you! thanks for keeping me inspired all the time! your photography is GORGEOUS!!!
emily
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Gulp.
How divine is that girl?
Just SO gorgeous Sheye.
XXXX
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Sheye,
Miss Ivy is so beautifuL!
that photo so reminds me of her sister
in so many ways, yet she has her own look as well.
gorgeous!
tara
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Love your style – thanks for sharing the post processing – I always love to know what other people do. Just bought the Eye Candy actions a month or so ago and I have loved playing with them.
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Sheye, you are just amazing. I will never tire of saying that. I say it to everyone who cares just the tiniest bit about photography. “You MUST check out Sheye Rosemeyer. She will take your breath away.” So yes, many midwestern pokes at your blog are likely to have been from my referrals. ;) ANYway, I just wanted you to know how much I love your thoughts about the whole “leap” process. Closed your eyes and ran is right. I just love that photo of Ivy so much.
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thank you so, so much sheye! you’ve given me the confidence boost i’ve needed to finally make the jump into the next level! and i smiled when you mentioned putting together a small website/blog because i had that in mind for a while and created a blog sometime in march with the intention of developing it into my photography website but i just began posting a few days ago! thank you again, your photography is breathtaking and you are truly a daily inspiration to me =)
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Wow! This is just what I needed to read. I sat in a room full of photographers at the OC Smugmug event last week, feeling like I was spying on the grown ups and had no business being there. I am learning and working hard, but taking that last step and saying I am a photographer is difficult for me. Great post!
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Thanks so much for the q&a. It’s encouraging to me to know that other people have the same concerns that I do. I’ve been taking pictures for money for 14 years but I got left behind on the digital train and I’m having lots of trouble getting caught up.
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Thank you so much for sharing the post-processing info. This is really great! I can’t wait to get a copy of your actions descriptions so I can keep tinkering with my new eye candy actions!! :)
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Thank youuuuuuuu so much Sheye for answering our questions….you are so present with your blog follower, we appreciate it soooooooo much!!! Going this week to finally make my purchases…50mm & 24-70mm and your eye candy actions so that I can make the next jump…next….blog/website in the works! and last but definitely not least looking forward in being part of the explore workshop!
On a last note…Miss Ivy looks absolutely divine! Her smile and your processing just light up this picture!
xxx
Vanessa
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Thank you for sharing this Sheye. It certainly helps getting some pointers as to how get a good shot when you can follow the whole process from settings on the camera to the post processing. Ivy is just beautiful. And I think I will need those Eye Candy actions, the results are just stunning!
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Hello!I love your photo.I’m from Poland and make photo.
beauty childrens!
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Sheye- I have been reading your blog for some time now… I feel as if I personally know you. Not only have I been reading your blog, but my 13 year old daughter has also fallen in love with your beautiful Ivy and your photographs. She is now begging and begging for her own camera, and to be enrolled in photography classes. I’m not sure which type of camera I’m supposed to get a 13 year old-aspiring-photographer and what kind of class to get her in? If you get the time I would love some advice. My email is lindatreant@gmail.com… don’t worry if you don’t have the time to answer, its nothing urgent, I was just curious.
-Linda
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*swoons* over Miss Ivish-delish can’t wait to see her again, that is one of my most fave photos of her.
x
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Thanks so much for the q&a’s! I enjoyed reading all of them. I’ll be looking forward to that in person workshop! ;) Until then I’m sure the Evolve workshop will be just as amazing as Explore! Your anwswer about how you started out reminded me of all your great advice & encouragement through Explore, & after going through a little bit of a rut lately, this has helped me to feel inspired & encouraged again. Reading your blog & seeing your photos is always inspiring to me! Thank you!
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Awesome, thanks so much for sharing! I need to get me some eye candy for sure.
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Maybe you’ve answered this before, if so, sorry for asking if you’d answer again, but are you self-taught or did you go to school for photography?
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OMG the colors in the first photo of Ivy are absolutely gorgeous! The subject matter isn’t bad either :). Love & Peace, Denise
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gorgeous pictures of miss ivy, beautiful answers to questions …
every time i come back … i realize how much more i need to get my hands on photoshop and your actions. you have completely convinced me to shoot INTO the light, more often … i love love LOVE sunflare. and one o’ these days i’m going to take your class … but now with expecting a 3rd … argh … unfortunately i’m thinking it’s gonna have to be later than sooner.
ah … soon enough.
from a mom of princesses to another.
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sheye,
thank you so much for your advice! i am an aspiring photographer and still have much to learn… i’ve had a very positive response and hope i can one day feel ready to jump in to the client world. if you have a minute, i’d love for you to see my work and give any feedback you may have :)
thank you much,
amelia
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Sheye,
I really enjoyed reading your answers. Reading about ‘taking the leap’ and just going for it struck a chord with me as I’m exactly at the inbetween phase at the moment… we can keep developing and growing our talent forever so it’s difficult to know when to become a ‘real’ photographer!
I have registered my interest in your workshop… does it matter that I’m not based in Australia?
Saskia x
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Thanks for this wonderful post and for sharing your knowledge! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Fran will e-mail me with a slot in the EVOLVE workshop – a gal can only hope!!! Much love to you, Sheye!
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I bought your actions while ago and I love them! Thank you so much! You have inspired me for a while now and I really love your work. You are amazing.
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I loved this question and answer post! I also love when you tell us about your camera settings and editing process! Keep em’ coming…you are AMAZING!!!
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just when i think i’ve seen all the amazing photographs possible, you wow me again! this first one is so gorgeous – the colours are divine!
thanks for sharing answers to our many questions…
jules xo
p.s. i was surprised with a gift on the weekend, my first canon! it is the rebel xs… i am so excited to learn more – and can already see why people become “canon-obsessed”!
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Sheye – amazing photos. so- i’ve tried the sun flare… no matter what i do – i can not keep the sky blue…. what am i doing wrong????
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OMG Ivy is perfection! xox thanks for sharing you knowledge and letting us pick your brain… all my love Ebz
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Ok so sorry to double up Sheye but I couldn’t help it! I can’t stop scrolling back up to that picture of Ivy, isn’t she so much like her sister! and the colours are amazing! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it xox
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Wow, this was so generous of you to take the time to do. You are such an inspiring individual. I am trying really hard to find my photo’style’. I love that you have yours and and it makes me strive to find mine. I haven’t received an email regardig workshops either, not on AOL or Comcast, hope I don’t miss out!
P.S. AND thank you for being awesome with my Eye Candy download, you are amazing!
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Thanks so much Sheye for your thoughts on “making the leap”. It is what I am struggling with at the moment and have put off a few “friend of friend” requests because I wasn’t sure what I should do. You’ve given me that little bit of confidence to charge. Hey, I’m still as cheap as chips but you’ve got to start somewhere! xx P.S So happy you had a wonderful holiday. Take care.
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I’m so sorry I’ve not gotten back to your e-mail YET, I’m horrid, I know. I keep thinking TODAY IS THE DAY and then, well, who knew a little baby could suck out so much of my energy? Lol. Also, thank you so much for the congratulations on Charlotte’s birth =) It really made me smile to see that you stopped by!
Now, out of photographic curiosity – do you have any ideas on how to photograph a newborn? I feel like I’m constantly taking pictures of the same sleeping pose, but I don’t really know how to change things up or where to start?!
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I just love Ivy. Maybe in the first photo she is looking at her sister. I love love love it.
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These are SO great!!
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I love seeing in frames, I love the beauty in the ordinary, I love my camera, I love that when I see images I hear too. I love the latelight, I love finding moments I didn’t imagine and I love creating moments I did. I love learning more every day, I love sharing what I’ve come to know, and I love making pictures pretty.
I’m so glad you stopped by. xx
Thanks, Sheye! I really appreciate seeing your settings and you answers about “taking the leap.” I find it easier to take the leap in photography than when people ask me to make dresses….I put so much work into them, it’s hard to let go….lol.