Professional Reef Photography - Checking Interest?

[NaCl_H2O]

Well, I guess this is kind of a 'Group Order" concept?

I am seriously thinking of getting some professional photography of my reef tanks done. My purpose is to get some prints for my office, but also to build up a nice gallery.

I don't know if y'all have seen this WebSite (http://www.ximinasphotography.com/home.html), but Gregory Ho does some AMAZING work :o Below are several other of his customer's galleries:
http://www.ximinasphotography.com/galleries/thumbnails.php?album=53
http://www.ximinasphotography.com/galleries/thumbnails.php?album=31
http://www.ximinasphotography.com/galleries/thumbnails.php?album=44
http://www.ximinasphotography.com/galleries/thumbnails.php?album=46
http://www.ximinasphotography.com/galleries/thumbnails.php?album=63

This ain't cheap, he charges $125/hr for the photo session which includes all digital post-processing, resulting in watermarked digital proofs. Un-watermarked prints are an additional charge as indicated on his website:
http://www.ximinasphotography.com/pricing.html#Reprints/Ordering

He estimates my system would take 6-8 hours to shoot, and he would produce about 25-40 pictures per hour. A 100g system takes about 1.5-2 hours, and a typical 215g system he estimates to take about 3 hours (you can do the math$)

Secondly, you don't see results for quite some time. He takes about 2 weeks per job to post-process each job, so if there are a few of us, the last person could be waiting over a month or two for proofs.

Now, the group order concept. He lives in Orange County (Irvine), CA and there would be Airfare, Transportation, and lodging - that could be split up if others are interested.

Anyway, just checking interest? I may do this regardless of others interest, but I would hate for folks to miss out if this talent was available locally - and I wouldn't mind splitting up the travel costs :skeezy

He has been very nice, answering all my stupid questions via EMail for the past few days. I can provide more details if anyone is interested in this idea?

Let me know :pics :pics :pics ?

[pilot_bell777]

Hey....I got one of them there digital cameras.....

I bes a profrossionail and would only charge ya a $5 a hour plus a case of beer....LOL


Hope it all turns out beautiful...looks like he does nice work!

[NaCl_H2O]

Hey....I got one of them there digital cameras...
Pilot, based on your avatar, I think I will pass :P

So, I guess this isn't a very popular idea?

[::pete::]

Popular ... I think for the money I will come and spend 4 hrs taking pictures. We do it all day everyday anyway. 100 shots for 1 pic!!!

[MikeyBoy]

Steve, you have too much money on your hands.........im convinced...

[carlinsa]

i second that!!!!!!!!

[NaCl_H2O]

Steve, you have too much money on your hands.........im convinced...

Hey, I'm just a reefaholic, I can't help it :cry

I figure compared to what I spent on the system (I never added it up), it's a fraction of the cost to duplicate the "atmosphere" for my new office at work ;)

Come on, there must be more insane MAASTards out there somewhere :unsure

[carlinsa]

why not look for someone on here that take good photos. like greenmako(brian) he can take some great pics. and i am sure he will do it for a LOT cheaper than airfair, lodging, and other things you have to pay for.

[CD]

Yeah, Steve...I'd bet out of the lot of us MAASTards, we can get this picture thing HANDLED. Brian is great at taking pics (along with some other folks), we've got a really nice printer that spits out super nice glossies with the correct paper and ink cartridge...DUDE - don't blow all that cash! >_<

W. :)

[hammondegge]

buy a nikon d70 with a macro lens and you're in business for under $1000

[tony]

if cliff (brewercm) would loan me my old camera back i would do it MUCH cheaper (free)

[::pete::]

Try Justin here on the site.

[pilot_bell777]

Hey, I'm just a reefaholic, I can't help it :cry


The first step it to admit you have a problem....LOL

I personally wouldn't spend that much on pics.....you could probably find a local photographer that would take amazing pics A LOT cheaper!!!!

[Sherri]

I figure compared to what I spent on the system (I never added it up), it's a fraction of the cost to duplicate the "atmosphere" for my new office at work ;)

I personally think you ought to have a system at work...a BRICK in fact. :P Then you won't have to have pics taken. 8)

[pilot_bell777]

or at min....a nano! I had a 2.5gall nano on my desk for ever......

Had a gallon of ro/di water in my draw with a tupperware dish of salt and measuring spoon, and some food! I loved it!!!!!

[Sherri]

See Steve...we've got it all worked out for ya...I'll sell you my 2 gal Nano - great deal...Cleaner shrimp & Bandit Goby included. You can hand carry it, plug it in & there ya go....Wow...think of all that money you would save! :pics :P ;)

[NaCl_H2O]

buy a nikon d70 with a macro lens and you're in business for under $1000

If I thought I could justify a $1,000 camera with this idea I would go get one, buy a case of beer, and me Brian and Pete would have a good ole time ... maybe even get Gary and his Thong into the pics :P

THIS (http://www.ximinasphotography.com/background.html#The%20Digital%20Darkroom) (Digital Darkroom) is where the big bucks come into play!

[NaCl_H2O]

A tank a t work - NO WAY. Did that once and never agian, I spend enough time at work already!

[::pete::]

Nice set up!! Pretty good pics too :P

[pilot_bell777]

You can take all the pics of GaryP in his thong all you want but..........


PLEASE DO NOT POST ON MAAST! LOL

That kind of stuff is against the bylaws...and if it isn't I would like to make a motion! LOL :unsure

[Shark_Bait]

buy a nikon d70 with a macro lens and you're in business for under $1000

If I thought I could justify a $1,000 camera with this idea I would go get one, buy a case of beer, and me Brian and Pete would have a good ole time ... maybe even get Gary and his Thong into the pics :P


I have this setup and it kick A**. I would be willing to make the roadtrip from Corpus for beer & frags (maybe gas money too :sick ) ... Plus I have been wanting to see this "fish room" Let me know...

[CD]

I have this setup and it kick A**. I would be willing to make the roadtrip from Corpus for beer & frags (maybe gas money too ) ... Plus I have been wanting to see this "fish room" Let me know...


See there Steve? You are all set! ;)

Shark Bait - Steve's set up is AWESOME!!! :w00t

W. :)

[NaCl_H2O]

I have this setup and it kick A**. I would be willing to make the roadtrip from Corpus for beer & frags (maybe gas money too :sick ) ... Plus I have been wanting to see this "fish room" Let me know...

Thanks for the offer! Like I said, I would go buy a high end Digital SLR if that would do the trick! The digital post-processing is the key, and I don't think those skills exist locally - although I do have a link to someone in Dallas that Gregory Ho supplied.

[Sherri]

It is awesome photography Steve...and if it's what you want - go for it. Check out Dallas before making decision & see what they offer. It would be awesome to have your own tank pics professionally done & hanging in the office. Good luck & keep us posted... :)

[pilot_bell777]

and post some of those pics too.....except the ones of Garyp in his thong....you can keep those for your personal collection! LOL

[Shark_Bait]

The post proccessing does not do not that much IMO.... If you want we can shoot a few hundred pics and see what comes out then if there not to your liking then you can spend the big bucks.

Just trying to save you some $$$

[CD]

The post proccessing does not do not that much IMO


That is my thoughts also - the highest importance would lie in the abilities of the camera/lens itself, not the processing equipment (when it comes to digital).

W. :)

[Shark_Bait]

Here are a few photo's from my last trip to Alaska. I just used Google's picasa for the post proccessing. I could do before and after if people want to see the difference. This is not to brag about my trip :P but to show off the capabilities of the camera..

[hammondegge]

It's true. Post processing can punch up a photo nicely, but the initial image capture is the important part. also the digital processing is relatively cheap and easy now. Nikon and scanner software contain most of the tools that you could need for mixing the color, contrast, sharpening, cropping etc..., and photoshop the rest. and i am sure that many of you know just how cheap photoshop can be. ;) You really can do it yourself and have a lot of fun learning. esp since we already have our own theatrical lighting built in. any additional lighting can be strobed from the surface.

[CD]

WOW, Rob!!! Those pics are totally awesome! I would love to see more... :w00t

W. :)

[Shark_Bait]

Those pics are totally awesome! I would love to see more...

@ Wendy I think I got permission to go to the meeting in the park. I will bring the laptop with the pictures. Just come find me.