Assignment #1

I'm going through the lessons at the photography class on reddit. I can't figure out how to comment there, as the class is already over, but they allow people to do it anytime still. So here is the assignment: "Take a good look at your camera, whatever its type, and try to identify each component we have discussed here. It might be a good opportunity to dig out the manual or to look up its exact specifications online. Now look up a different camera online (for instance at dpreview) and compare their specifications. Try doing this for both a less advanced and a more advanced body, and for different lenses. Report here if you find any interesting difference, or if some parts of the specifications are unclear." By reddit - nattfold


I will do my camera, a more expensive camera, and a cheaper camera. I will just do a brief review. The prices are for the actual body, no lens.


Canon EOS 60D ($899):
Resolution: 18MP
Sensor: 0.88 x 0.59" (22.3 x 14.9mm) APS-C CMOS
Sensitivity: ISO 100 - 6400 H: 12800
Shutter Speeds: 1/8000 to 30 seconds, bulb - X-sync at 1/250
Viewfinder Coverage: 96%
Weight: 23.8 oz (675g) - Body only
*LCD flips out.


Canon EOS Rebel T2i ($679/$777 BH & Best Buy have different prices):

Resolution: 18MP

Sensor: 22.3mm x 14.9mm (APS-C size)

Sensitivity: ISO 100 - 6400 H: 12800

Shutter Speeds:1/4000 sec. to 30 sec., bulb

Viewfinder Coverage: 95%

Weight: 18.7 oz (530g) - Body only

Canon EOS 5D Mark II ($2,499):

Resolution: 21.1MP

Sensor: 36 x 24mm CMOS

Sensitivity: ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 50, 12800, and 25600)

Shutter Speeds: 1/8000 - 30 sec, bulb

Viewfinder Coverage: 98%

Weight: 28.6oz. (810g) body only

So this is just a few things for each camera. I am sure that there are a lot more things that make them different, but I'm not sure what differences really matter.

I can see instantly that the 5D Mark II has a lot bigger difference in the sensor, which makes it a very good camera. This really reflects in the price too. I almost went with the Rebel T2i, but I really wanted the LCD screen that can flip out and rotate. The other 2 camera don't have this ability. It also helps protect my screen because when I'm not using it, the screen is flipped inside. I'm not sure if that makes sense. The Rebel T2i and 60D are similar, with a little bit in differences.

I got some material!

I had my finals today, but I was able to go to the library before I came home. I picked up 7 books on photography, 3 books on small businesses, and 1 on iLife. I thought about using iWeb to make an official website, but I'm not sure I could do everything on it that I want. For example, making it so people can make purchases. Do people even purchase things on photographers website, like a photo shoot, or would they mostly just call up and want to talk to me. I need to figure out how I would take in revenue - cash only, or pay to take debit and credit cards through a processing company. I saw I can use on a website and I think that might be free? Or I can e-mail people through paypal so it would be free for me, I would e-mail them the bill. So much to contemplate and decide!!


So I plan to read up a little on businesses and photography. I am so tempted to get a license for my soon to be business now so that the name isn't taken. I don't know why it would, as there probably isn't too many Ashley Hansens out there about to start a photography business. 


I also got an e-mail back from the PhotoCenter NW. They told me... the "Digital course is focused on teaching students how to work with their cameras, explore their personal vision, and gain aesthetic awareness and vocabulary." Sounds like a great place to me. They offer a certificate that is 53 credits, but the digital photography is not part of it. I'm not sure what times they offer classes in the summer, but by the way they have classes now, it would be once a week. They also offer a digital imaging class to learn photoshop, which would be great. I would love to take both, but I'm not sure how I would pay for it. All my income from my part time job is already going towards bills and paying for the camera stuff. It's $650 a class, and $1,300 is a lot just to learn photoshop and photography. I wish it was cheaper. Maybe I will look around and see if I can learn it cheaper someplace else. I just found a 2 day class for $525. Wow. I found private tutors for $40, but if I take the class, then it's about $22 an hour. Hmm, I am not sure what I want to do. I will keep my options open. I'm sad that I am taking 15 credits next quarter because I really wish I could take a photography class.


On Tuesday I got almost everything I ordered online. I have not received my Adobe or my camera bag yet. I really want my camera bag because I want to store my equipment in a nice place. Right now my camera is just in the box it came in - the shipping box. But the camera bag hasn't even shipped. It has said "shipping soon" for the last couple of days.


Well, I probably work at 6am (I'm on call) so I am going to get ready for bed and hit up the books for a few minutes. I am so anxious to read them, but I do need my sleep. 

Starting a Photography Business

I want to start a photography business. I think this is easier said then done. There are a lot of photography businesses out there, and I know there is a lot of competition. Although, I do feel like I have a little advantage over most because I have business knowledge. I am an accounting student, and I have taken quite a bit of business and accounting classes. This doesn't make me a better photographer, but it does make it easier for me when it comes to the business side of things. 


My first goal is to research everything I will need to do and make a formal business plan. Most people only make a business plan because they need financing from a bank, but it is such a good idea to make one no matter what. I won't need financing. In the last week I ordered:


1. A Canon 60D D-SLR
2. A camera bag
3. A memory card
4. An extra battery
5. A GorillaPod (Zoom D-SLR)
6. An LCD screen protector
7. A comfortable camera strap
8. Adobe Production Suite CS5
9. A lens hood
10. An air blaster (to clean dust)


I also just got an iMac last Thursday which is what I will use to do the adobe software. My boyfriend was planning to get me a birthday gift, and my computer died so that's what I got for my birthday.


I ordered all those above last week and I am waiting, not so patiently, for them to arrive!! I can go into detail about my gear at a later date, maybe after I have had a chance to use them. 


So Wednesday is when I have my finals, and this whole idea about a photography is much more interesting ;). After Wednesday my plan is to go to the library and pick up books regarding photography and small businesses. I would really like to take some classes before I try to open my business. I want to take a digital photography class at the Photo Center NW which is a college for photography in Seattle. It costs $650 for each 3 credit class, and each class is held once a week. I wish it wasn't so expensive, but at least I will get a tax benefit because I will be paying out of pocket.


Oh, how about an introduction...


My name is Ashley and I am actually an accounting student. I am 24 years old and I work as a school bus driver. I love to take photos, and in high school I took photography with a 35mm film SLR camera. I really enjoyed that class and that was the last time I used a SLR camera. A few weeks ago I thought about learning how to use an SLR camera, this time it would be digital! After thinking about it, I thought why not try and make a business about it. I am currently in school like I mentioned, and I have 7 classes left till I graduate. Because of the way they scheduled the classes, I won't be graduating until next March 2012. That doesn't bother me because I will have the whole summer off (to take a photography class and get lots of practice) and then I will take 2 classes each quarter for Fall and Winter, so it won't be full time like I'm used it. That will be a nice little break.


My plan is to practice a lot, on nature, animals, and people at first. Then charge a small price to get my name out there and get more practice. After that then I will decide a new pricing and such. I will use family and friends to help me get practice, and I know they won't mind be the center of attention and getting (hopefully) good pictures.