Question and Answer

The great thing about blogs is the chance is gives us to connect with people from all over the place and to learn from each other! I know that I have learned a lot from other people – just by studying their photographs and their work and also from the things they have shared on their blogs. I have also emailed many people that I have never met to ask them questions and it amazes me how nice people always are and how willing they are to help!

For that reason, I have always tried to answer every question that comes my way and to help others out in any way that I can. Lately I have not been able to respond to everyone and it seems like I am getting a lot of similar questions, so I thought it would be great to do some question/answer sessions on here. You can still always email me though and I will do my best to respond as quickly as possible.

Anyway, thanks for all of the great questions and for being patient. Here goes…

Question 1:
i know you’ve answered some of my questions before, but here was my latest one … would you be willing to share a few shots straight from your camera? i know a great photo comes from taking a great picture, but i also know that editing can do wonders too. not looking for your secret editing tricks … just curious what your photos look like right from the start.
thanks maggie!

Posted by: laura vegas | January 18, 2007 at 05:28 PM

I am happy to share a couple of my photos straight out of camera. While I always do some tweaking after the fact, you definitely have to start with a good photo. If an image is blurry or too over or underexposed, there is only so much you can do to try to fix it and you just won’t end up with a great photo. The key is to really learn how to nail your exposure and how to get a sharp image straight out of your camera. Then with a little tweaking you can make the fine-tune adjustments that make it even better. I like to keep the post-editing to a minimum for two reasons – 1. to save time and 2. to maintain a natural, real looking photograph that doesn’t look too “photshopped”.

Below I will show two photographs with the straight out of camera image first and the final image next to it. You will see that with my color photos I typically brighten them up a little, sharpen a little and I also crop them, of course.

Elsie_color_web

Mark_toes_soocMark_toes_color_8x10_web_1

Question 2:
I like Laura’s question. I love the coloring of your photo’s…so pretty! I also want to know what you mean by “proofing” Is that a photoshop thing too? http://jolenegeorge.blogspot.com/

Posted by: Jolene George | January 19, 2007 at 12:41 PM

What I mean when I say that I am “proofing” is that I am going through all the photos from a session, choosing the best ones, editing & cropping them, and then saving them so that the client can view them on my website.

Question 3:
hi maggie!
your photography is amazing! what kind of camera do you use?
heidi

Posted by: heidi larsen | January 20, 2007 at 03:27 PM

I was just wondering what lens you use for your portraits. You’ve probably answered that before, but I must have missed it. Love your photos!

Posted by: Cynthia | January 20, 2007 at 11:44 AM

a few people asked what camera and lenses I use. My camera is a Fuji S3Pro and the lenses that I have are a 28-70mm 2.8, a 50mm 1.8 and a 30mm 1.4.
Most of the photos that I have recently shared were taken with the 50mm 1.8. I just got the 30mm 1.4 for Christmas so I will probably be using that one most often now.

Question 4:
Hey Maggie,
I was wondering if you could share with us how you handle all of your digital photos. What is your “workflow?” (I’d love details, seriously from your camera all the way through the editing, storage, printing, browsing and backup stage!) You do beautiful work! I’m excited to read answers to your Q&A.
Thanks!

Posted by: Gina | January 20, 2007 at 08:59 PM

My workflow (after the photo shoot) goes pretty much as follows:
1. Download the images onto my computer. I have a mac so I download them right into iphoto. It is quick and very easy to browse through the photos once they are on there.
2. I look at each and every photo trying to narrow it down to the very best ones. I typically choose 20-30 images for each session that I will present to the client. I write down the file number for each of the images that I have chosen.
3. Then I use photoshop from this point forward. I open each of the photos that I want to edit in photoshop.
4. I do any editing/tweaking that I want to do to the photograph. Then I save that image as a working file before I do any cropping. Next I will crop the image to a typical size – 8×10 or 5×7, add my copyright watermark, sharpen and save the image as a small jpg file to be viewed on the web.
5. I load the photos onto my typepad site so the client can view them.
6. Once the client places their order, I go back into photoshop, open the working files and crop them to the ordered size and save again as a file that can be sent to the printer.
7. I currently back up all my photos onto DVD’s and am also planning to get an external hard drive as a 2nd back up.

Question 5:
Is there drawbacks from using a non digital SLR camera (besides being able to edit it through an editing program)? Digi cameras kind of intimidate me and I am looking for a good SLR camera, but I also don’t want to hold myself back if it holds me back from great pictures.
Thanks,
Rachel

Posted by: Rachel Kulak | January 23, 2007 at 12:10 AM

I have been “digital” for so many years now that I just can’t imagine doing it any other way. I would definitely suggest buying a digital slr and here are a few of the benefits:

– You can look at your images during the shoot to see where your exposure is at, to see if eyes are closed, etc. With the small view-finder it is hard to see exactly what the final image will look like at full size, but it gives you a general idea and is very helpful.
– You can immediately download the images and start working on them once you get home and don’t have to wait to have them processed by a lab.
– The ability to edit, adjust, crop your photos is just something that I wouldn’t want to give up. I like to leave some space around my subject when I first take the photo so that I can do the cropping on my computer later. It leaves you open to being creative and trying different ways to crop the image. I also like the fact that I can convert any of my images to black and white while still having the color image also.
– You can practice, practice, practice without goint through rolls of film and without ever having to pay to have your photos developed. It makes the learning process a lot less expensive.

I would say that if you are intimidated by slr cameras, then digital is the best way to go because it really helps to be able to see your images as you are taking the photos and you can adjust your settings and learn as you are doing it.

Question 6:
Hi Maggie

What photos are you just itching to take of Baby Holmes? 🙂

Posted by: jenny | January 25, 2007 at 07:47 AM

I am very excited to have my own newborn to take photos of now that I am doing this professionally. It will be a great opportunity for me to just practice and try out different things! It will also be fun to be able to capture all of the fun shots of my own baby that I have been able to capture for clients!
I don’t know that I have any certain shots that I am thinking of. Of course I will want photos of the feet/toes, hands, etc. But, my approach is to just go with it once I am at the shoot and let things happen naturally. One thing I have learned, especially with newborns, is that they are very unpredictable and you just have to go with what their mood is and what they are comfortable with. I like the shots to look very natural and real and comfortable.

…………………..

Well, I think I answered everybody’s questions. Some were duplicates so I didn’t post your question again if it was already answered. This was a lot of fun and I hope that everything makes sense and that I was able to help out! Feel free to ask me if you have any other questions or if you need clarification on anything! I am always happy to help!! (That was a long post – sorry if there are any typos!!)

Thanks again for all of you comments and support! You have all just kept me going and helped to keep my confidence up! I am definitely my own worst critic and so I am always so surprised and so honored when you all say the nice things you do!! Photography is really just something that I love and that I have a passion for and hopefully that is what comes through in my work!

You Might Also Like

  • laura vegas
    January 31, 2007 at 9:17 pm

    thanks so much for sharing maggie! love seeing the SOTC images … i think sometimes i try to hard to get “that look” while i shoot, instead of just getting a good solid shot and tweaking it later. and i’ll second the digital slr. it took a TON of convincing to get me to go digital about a year ago … but i would never go back to my film slr.
    so much good info. thanks for being willing to share with us!

  • Jen Yancey
    February 1, 2007 at 9:51 pm

    Cute pics! How far along are you and do you know what you are having yet? Are you feeling any better? I hope so!

  • Jolene George
    February 1, 2007 at 11:47 pm

    Thanks for the question/answer post. I LOVE what you do in photoshop. It just makes your already great photos even better. I so want that program! http://jolenegeorge.blogspot.com/

  • Caroline Ikeji
    February 5, 2007 at 1:52 am

    thanks for the Q&A!!
    love the pics!! 🙂

  • heidi larsen
    February 22, 2007 at 11:32 am

    maggie, thanks for answering my question! that is so nice of you to share all of your secrets! you really are talented!

  • car shipping across the country
    March 15, 2023 at 4:13 pm

    989368 765767Absolutely nothing better than Bing discovering us a excellent site related to what I was seeking for. 606492

  • 대구웨딩홀
    March 21, 2023 at 1:21 am

    26606 366464You should participate in a contest for among the best blogs on the internet. I will suggest this web site! 138762

  • Jackie Broadfoot
    March 24, 2023 at 11:19 pm

    Hi i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anyplace, when i read this article i thought i could also create comment due to this good paragraph.

  • tips on selling merchant services
    March 25, 2023 at 9:58 pm

    Fantastic site. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to several buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks to your sweat!

  • sortie nocturne privée martinique
    March 26, 2023 at 11:34 pm

    hey there and thank you for your information ? I?ve certainly picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise some technical points using this site, as I experienced to reload the site many times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your respective interesting content. Ensure that you update this again soon..

  • Spring Kroell
    March 27, 2023 at 4:41 am

    I have a wordpress blog with a lot of pictures hosted on third party websites. I want all the pictures to be hosted in my wordpress blogs. I don’t want to manually download all pictures and replace them in the posts, i need something to do that automatically..

  • Robert
    April 9, 2023 at 8:22 am

    I just read your article on Point Click Care CNA and I must say, your writing style is absolutely fantastic! Your ability to break down complex information into easy-to-understand language is truly impressive. I appreciate how you provide detailed information about the software, its benefits, and how it can improve the lives of CNAs and their patients. Your writing is concise, clear, and engaging, and I found myself captivated by the article from start to finish. Keep up the excellent work, and I look forward to reading more of your articles in the future!

  • اريج حسين الحثيلي
    April 9, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Thanks for the concepts you have shared here. Furthermore, I believe there are some factors that will keep your car insurance policy premium all the way down. One is, to think about buying automobiles that are from the good set of car insurance companies. Cars which have been expensive are more at risk of being robbed. Aside from that insurance policies are also based on the value of your truck, so the costlier it is, then higher your premium you make payment for.

  • Anatomy of Murder
    April 11, 2023 at 12:12 am

    Communication and consent are key components of healthy sexual relationships.

  • companionship
    April 11, 2023 at 10:17 pm

    Everyone has their own unique preferences when it comes to sex.

  • 에볼루션바카라
    April 13, 2023 at 1:15 pm

    Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thank you Nonetheless I am experiencing problem with ur rss . Don?t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting equivalent rss problem? Anybody who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx

  • 에볼루션카지노
    April 13, 2023 at 8:59 pm

    Thanks for the something totally new you have revealed in your text. One thing I’d like to comment on is that FSBO interactions are built after a while. By introducing yourself to the owners the first saturday and sunday their FSBO is actually announced, prior to masses start out calling on Thursday, you build a good link. By sending them equipment, educational resources, free records, and forms, you become a good ally. By using a personal curiosity about them and also their situation, you produce a solid interconnection that, most of the time, pays off if the owners decide to go with a broker they know along with trust – preferably you actually.

  • What is the ultimate relaxation experience you've been missing? Find out at Medical Spa Abbotsford.
    April 16, 2023 at 3:44 am

    Today, with the fast way of living that everyone leads, credit cards have a big demand throughout the market. Persons from every discipline are using the credit card and people who not using the credit cards have prepared to apply for one. Thanks for sharing your ideas on credit cards.

  • Butt plugs for men
    April 16, 2023 at 8:57 am

    I like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I am quite sure I?ll learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  • Tunnel butt plug
    April 16, 2023 at 9:57 am

    Would you be excited by exchanging links?

  • Blog Comment Backlink
    April 17, 2023 at 2:25 pm

    hi!,I love your writing very much! share we communicate extra about your post on AOL? I need a specialist on this area to unravel my problem. May be that is you! Taking a look ahead to peer you.

  • Auto Approve Scrapebox Blog Comment
    April 17, 2023 at 8:32 pm

    I just could not go away your site before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the usual info a person provide to your visitors? Is gonna be back regularly in order to check out new posts

  • Crypto Guest Post
    April 17, 2023 at 10:37 pm

    Hello, Neat post. There is a problem with your website in internet explorer, could check this? IE nonetheless is the market chief and a huge component of other people will leave out your excellent writing because of this problem.

  • paramanalo. com
    April 18, 2023 at 1:16 am

    I?ve read a few good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to make such a great informative web site.

  • empresa de reformas
    April 18, 2023 at 11:11 am

    Thanks for helping me to obtain new strategies about pcs. I also have the belief that one of the best ways to keep your notebook computer in leading condition is with a hard plastic-type material case, or maybe shell, that will fit over the top of your computer. These types of protective gear are generally model unique since they are made to fit perfectly across the natural casing. You can buy them directly from the vendor, or via third party sources if they are available for your mobile computer, however not all laptop could have a covering on the market. Just as before, thanks for your recommendations.

  • mejores empresas de reformas
    April 18, 2023 at 3:04 pm

    I really appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thank you again

  • old furniture removal
    April 19, 2023 at 7:47 am

    Simply desire to say your article is as surprising. The clarity in your put up is just nice and i could think you are a professional on this subject. Well together with your permission allow me to clutch your RSS feed to keep up to date with impending post. Thank you a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.

  • how much does it cost to open a merchant account
    April 22, 2023 at 5:42 am

    Thanks for another excellent post. The place else may anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I am on the search for such info.

  • open a merchant account online
    April 22, 2023 at 5:43 am

    Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!?

  • Rapid Salesforce.com Sales Cloud Quickstart Support Services
    April 27, 2023 at 10:54 am

    ForsythSoftware.com provides rapid quick-starts for Salesforce.com CRM. Be it Sales Cloud, Service Cloud or Marketing Cloud, get quality support from our certified professionals. Contact us at [email protected] and ask for a no obligation system evaluation today.

  • Rapid Salesforce.com Sales Cloud Quickstart Support Services
    April 27, 2023 at 3:25 pm

    ForsythSoftware.com provides rapid quick-starts for Salesforce.com CRM. Be it Sales Cloud, Service Cloud or Marketing Cloud, get quality support from our certified professionals. Contact us at [email protected] and ask for a no obligation system evaluation today.

  • Private label SEO
    April 28, 2023 at 6:00 am

    You actually make it seem so easy together with your presentation but I in finding this topic to be really something which I feel I might by no means understand. It sort of feels too complex and very wide for me. I am looking ahead to your subsequent put up, I?ll try to get the cling of it!

  • White label SEO tools
    April 28, 2023 at 7:26 am

    I am so happy to read this. This is the type of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that is at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc.

  • buy Accounting certification Exam
    April 29, 2023 at 3:16 am

    I have seen that car insurance providers know the cars and trucks which are at risk from accidents and other risks. In addition, they know what type of cars are given to higher risk along with the higher risk they have got the higher the particular premium charge. Understanding the uncomplicated basics of car insurance can help you choose the right form of insurance policy that should take care of your preferences in case you become involved in any accident. Thank you for sharing your ideas on your blog.

  • pornhub
    April 30, 2023 at 3:20 pm

    okmark your blog and check again here frequently. I’m quite sure I?ll learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  • dominoqq
    April 30, 2023 at 11:28 pm

    I will also like to say that most individuals that find themselves with out health insurance can be students, self-employed and people who are not working. More than half in the uninsured are really under the age of 35. They do not really feel they are looking for health insurance because they’re young along with healthy. Its income is usually spent on housing, food, and also entertainment. A lot of people that do represent the working class either full or not professional are not given insurance by way of their work so they proceed without owing to the rising expense of health insurance in the us. Thanks for the suggestions you talk about through this blog.

  • Age discrimination
    May 3, 2023 at 6:11 am

    I have really learned some new things out of your blog post. Also a thing to I have observed is that typically, FSBO sellers will probably reject an individual. Remember, they will prefer to never use your services. But if anyone maintain a comfortable, professional connection, offering aid and keeping contact for around four to five weeks, you will usually have the ability to win a meeting. From there, a listing follows. Thank you

  • Gender discrimination
    May 3, 2023 at 7:49 am

    Simply desire to say your article is as amazing. The clarity in your post is just cool and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.

  • Remarketing
    May 3, 2023 at 9:02 pm

    I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this web site. I am hoping the same high-grade web site post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own web site now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a great example of it.

  • IT Governance Framework
    May 4, 2023 at 1:52 pm

    Howdy very cool site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally?I am happy to search out numerous useful info right here within the submit, we need develop more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

  • gay developers
    May 5, 2023 at 1:55 am

    Hello, Neat post. There is an issue along with your site in web explorer, might test this? IE nonetheless is the marketplace chief and a huge element of other folks will pass over your wonderful writing due to this problem.

  • how to start a payment processing company
    May 5, 2023 at 8:42 pm

    Thanks for your post made here. One thing I would really like to say is most professional fields consider the Bachelors Degree just as the entry level requirement for an online degree. When Associate Degrees are a great way to get started on, completing your own Bachelors opens up many doorways to various employment goodies, there are numerous on-line Bachelor Diploma Programs available via institutions like The University of Phoenix, Intercontinental University Online and Kaplan. Another issue is that many brick and mortar institutions provide Online versions of their diplomas but typically for a substantially higher price than the companies that specialize in online degree programs.

  • how to become a payment service provider
    May 6, 2023 at 7:29 am

    It?s arduous to find knowledgeable individuals on this topic, however you sound like you already know what you?re speaking about! Thanks

  • lean belly 3x
    May 7, 2023 at 4:34 am

    What?s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely useful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid other users like its aided me. Great job.

  • furniture removal service
    May 7, 2023 at 10:44 pm

    It?s actually a cool and helpful piece of information. I?m glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  • Stage Hypnotist
    May 8, 2023 at 5:43 am

    I know of the fact that these days, more and more people are being attracted to video cameras and the discipline of images. However, like a photographer, you should first shell out so much of your time deciding which model of video camera to buy as well as moving store to store just so you could buy the most affordable camera of the brand you have decided to pick out. But it isn’t going to end now there. You also have to take into consideration whether you should obtain a digital video camera extended warranty. Thx for the good recommendations I gathered from your site.

  • property cleanout services
    May 8, 2023 at 3:33 pm

    Hi, i think that i noticed you visited my site thus i came to ?go back the prefer?.I’m trying to in finding issues to improve my website!I assume its good enough to make use of a few of your ideas!!

  • relationship counselling london
    May 9, 2023 at 12:59 am

    I have figured out some new things from your web-site about computer systems. Another thing I have always considered is that computer systems have become a specific thing that each family must have for several reasons. They supply you with convenient ways to organize households, pay bills, search for information, study, listen to music and in some cases watch tv programs. An innovative approach to complete most of these tasks is by using a notebook computer. These computers are mobile ones, small, potent and easily transportable.

  • how to become a credit card processing company
    May 11, 2023 at 2:06 am

    I will immediately grab your rss feed as I can not find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.

  • reformas fachadas
    May 11, 2023 at 3:24 am

    What i don’t realize is actually how you’re not really much more well-liked than you may be now. You’re so intelligent. You realize thus significantly relating to this subject, made me personally consider it from a lot of varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t fascinated unless it?s one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs great. Always maintain it up!

  • become a payment processor
    May 11, 2023 at 8:24 am

    I’ve been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It?s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.