[gilligan]

Hi everyone. What would cause the shadows that are showing up in these photos? These were taken in a ballroom, no additional flash other than what was on the camera (some Canon SLR, not sure). Our photographer gave us her reason why they showed up like this, but I don't believe her, and want to get some other opinions as to what would cause these shadows. I know there isn't a lot of info to go on, but any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. If you need any more info or have any questions, please feel free to ask. Thanks in advance.

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/8999/shadowg.jpg (http://img638.imageshack.us/i/shadowg.jpg/)

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/8417/shadow2v.jpg (http://img96.imageshack.us/i/shadow2v.jpg/)

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/4273/shadow3f.jpg (http://img46.imageshack.us/i/shadow3f.jpg/)

[FN-2199]

Looks like the lens is blocking part of the flash. Did she not notice this? What was her reason?

[gars]

Which lens are you using? Your photos don't have any exif data...

On a wider lens - especially one that is bigger than the kit lenses - and WITH a lens hood, the on-camera flash will not reach the entire picture. It's basically just the lens itself causing a shadow.

[Hehe]

Grab a cheap external flash. If you are on Canon, I think it's EX270. Around $100 and 100x better than in-cam flash.

[gilligan]

Thanks for the responses, as I expected - something blocking the flash. These are just a few of the images that have the exact same shadow in it from our wedding. Her explanation was that she was having a tough time with the lighting in the room and that it was crappy, and sometimes you just can't avoid it. Funny, because not one guest image we've seen so far has these shadows in it. We are in the process of attempting to get a partial refund, and wanted to make sure that it was most likely something blocking the flash. If you think these are bad, you should see some of the other images.

[!MiKrofT]

Definitely demand a refund. How can a wedding photographer not have or know about using an external flash?

[77civic1200]

You PAID for those? wtf, I'd be pretty choked if I hired someone to take photos and they couldn't even figure out what was going wrong in that situation. Anyone worth paying wouldn't be using the on camera flash that's for sure.

[Senna4ever]

Those shadows can be caused by:
1) the lens used was physically too long and got in the way of the light from an on-camera flash.

2) a large lens hood.

I'm really sorry your wedding photos came out bad...those images are absolutely inexcuseable. As a "pro," she should have known that and remedied the situation accordingly. Do you remember the gear she was using by any chance? Also, it looks like she used DIRECT flash...what a fool.

Most of my clients are pro wedding photographers, and needless to say I have NEVER seen such a n00b mistake (I do see many pros who still haven't figured out white balance issues) even with someone who was just getting into the business. Was this person a friend who did it for you as a favour or similar situation, or someone who billed herself as a professional photographer?

Was she using the on-camera flash, or an external flash mounted on the camera?

[Senna4ever]

Thanks for the responses, as I expected - something blocking the flash. These are just a few of the images that have the exact same shadow in it from our wedding. Her explanation was that she was having a tough time with the lighting in the room and that it was crappy, and sometimes you just can't avoid it. Funny, because not one guest image we've seen so far has these shadows in it. We are in the process of attempting to get a partial refund, and wanted to make sure that it was most likely something blocking the flash. If you think these are bad, you should see some of the other images.

I think you should demand a full refund or at least a partial refund. Have you paid her out 100% already? If not, I would short pay her at the very least. Is there anything in the contract you signed that pertains to work that you as the client finds unacceptable?

She was not having trouble with the lighting in the room! She was having trouble WITH HER OWN LIGHTING, and what looks like a crappy lens. Someone who is serious and knew what they were doing would have used a wide aperture prime lens with different lighting.

This really upsets me that someone could be so callous at an event that cannot be re-shot and is one of the most important and happy days of a client's life. Someone so apathetic about their work does not deserve to be in the wedding photography business. :flamemad: She should not even have her own business - she should be cleaning toilets at a local community centre or something...she's probably fuck that up too.

[ilvtofu]

Does your photographer look like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIiH9uxdE5M

Seriously the problem in the pictures is general knowledge even with a kit lens I believe you'd get that shadow and anyone who has had any experience with the built in flash on SLRs should know

[N.V.M.]

is it me or even without the shadow, the rest of the image quality isn't even close to being good, especially considering it's supposedly a pro? good grief, that second pic is horrible. the rest, tones are way off. isn't white supposed to be white?

[Inaii]

Would you be willing to post the photographer's (if she can be called that) info so others know not to use her?
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[gilligan]

If we don't get a satisfactory resolution, I will be plastering our story with her name and website all over the internet to make sure it'll be very tough for her to get another job again.

That Judge Joe clip is eerily similar to our story. You don't want to see photos of the ceremony...oh wait, neither can we because the shadows are so bad we can't see our faces in 80% of them (and I'm not exaggerating).

Senna, thanks for your opinion. We feel the exact same way. Through this whole process, from it taking close to 2 months to see a single image from the wedding, hard copy or digital, to now when we are still missing some images (like photos with my wife's grandfather) 6+ months later, we have been more than patient and giving her every benefit of the doubt. Hopefully we get what we want, and feel we rightfully deserve. If not, like I said above, our story will be on every photography/wedding forum from here to Timbuctoo!

[Tofuboi]

Does your photographer look like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIiH9uxdE5M

Seriously the problem in the pictures is general knowledge even with a kit lens I believe you'd get that shadow and anyone who has had any experience with the built in flash on SLRs should know

Wow, judge handed it to the defendants. :thumbsup:

[ddr]

Senna, thanks for your opinion. We feel the exact same way. Through this whole process, from it taking close to 2 months to see a single image from the wedding, hard copy or digital, to now when we are still missing some images (like photos with my wife's grandfather) 6+ months later, we have been more than patient and giving her every benefit of the doubt. Hopefully we get what we want, and feel we rightfully deserve. If not, like I said above, our story will be on every photography/wedding forum from here to Timbuctoo!

i always wondered y it's so hard for some photographers to show you some examples of what they took before post-processing. if anything, some photographers engage their clients and show them right after - it's one of the advantages of going digital. sorry to hear about this ordeal.

[N.V.M.]

If we don't get a satisfactory resolution, I will be plastering our story with her name and website all over the internet to make sure it'll be very tough for her to get another job again.

That Judge Joe clip is eerily similar to our story. You don't want to see photos of the ceremony...oh wait, neither can we because the shadows are so bad we can't see our faces in 80% of them (and I'm not exaggerating).

Senna, thanks for your opinion. We feel the exact same way. Through this whole process, from it taking close to 2 months to see a single image from the wedding, hard copy or digital, to now when we are still missing some images (like photos with my wife's grandfather) 6+ months later, we have been more than patient and giving her every benefit of the doubt. Hopefully we get what we want, and feel we rightfully deserve. If not, like I said above, our story will be on every photography/wedding forum from here to Timbuctoo!


it would be nice though to see her portfolio. if they suck too, or are just "ok", maybe someone else has to take some heat too. but, we can't really tell.

[milkmilk101]

Funny how people keep saying on camera flash when they mean built-in flash. When u mount a 580 on your horseshoe is still a "on camera flash" and when u mount ur flash away from ur camera then it is external flash. get it clear people......

[gilligan]

It's official, we just received an email from her saying she isn't refunding us any money, because she feels "...like I have done my part...".

Unfortunately, I'm leaving to Cuba for a week in a couple of hours, but when I get back I'll be creating a website telling the whole story. If she loses even one job, she should have just given us the money we were requesting because it would have been cheaper.

[lowside67]

Post her contact!

[subordinate]

wow...this chick should take a business 101 class. Oh yeah, photography as well

[gilligan]

One last post before we leave. Here's her website. Her portfolio isn't amazing, but good enough (or so we thought) based on our budget.

www.eternityphotography.ca

Want to see us walking down the aisle after our ceremony? So would we.

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/7646/blackholeu.jpg (http://img821.imageshack.us/i/blackholeu.jpg/)

[lowside67]

Dude the photos on her website are BRUTAL!

[FN-2199]

Wow, I could take better pictures with a point and shoot. Absolute garbage.

OP, how did you find this fool?

[N.V.M.]

as terrible as the OP's pics are, i'm not feeling as bad as i was before i saw the photographers site.

obviously the bride and groom's faces should be visible..(duh), but did i ever see a lot of bad shots on her site. even the best ones were just "ok". i stand by my #16 post.. ^^^^

[!MiKrofT]

Wow.. The stuff on her site is terrible. I kind of agree with N.V.M. though. But there's no excuse with providing those pics that the OP posted.

[N.V.M.]

i stole these from her website. (stupid flash)

http://members.shaw.ca/northvanmike/canal/Capture.JPG


http://members.shaw.ca/northvanmike/canal/goodsetest.jpg


and on the other end of the scale:

http://members.shaw.ca/northvanmike/canal/cap2.JPG

[gars]

wow... there are some horrendous photos on that site. Some sites are so blah - but the saturation is just turned waaaay up to try to compensate for it.

Do you mind me asking how much they charged?

[Senna4ever]

She didn't even bother to clone out the sensor dust...

She may be as bad as: http://www.photographertoronto.com/

[stevo911_]

She may be as bad as: http://www.photographertoronto.com/

Obviously you didnt read their webpage, it says right on the home page they're "Among World Finest & Best Weddings Studios!" :\

[!MiKrofT]

wow... there are some horrendous photos on that site. Some sites are so blah - but the saturation is just turned waaaay up to try to compensate for it.

Do you mind me asking how much they charged?
I'm guessing it's gonna be under $1000.

Check out her awesome poses:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs221.snc1/6820_178353813972_514693972_3783261_1307652_n.jpg

[ilvtofu]

Troll their fb walll...?
looks like this guy likes vaselines on his lens or something :/

[subordinate]

wow. I feel sorry for the OP. Those are absolutely garbage pictures.

[Senna4ever]

Obviously you didnt read their webpage, it says right on the home page they're "Among World Finest & Best Weddings Studios!" :\

He didn't specify which world though... :o

[lowside67]

Obviously you didnt read their webpage, it says right on the home page they're "Among World Finest & Best Weddings Studios!" :\

CINDERELLA STUDIOS USING MOST EXPENSIVE, TOP OF THE LINE, PROFESSIONAL, FULL FRAME, DIGITAL & ROLL FILM CAMERAS.
21.1MP!!!

[gars]

I'm guessing it's gonna be under $1000.

Check out her awesome poses:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs221.snc1/6820_178353813972_514693972_3783261_1307652_n.jpg

It's Sepia - automatically makes it artsy. This photographer is legit.

[!MiKrofT]

It's Sepia - automatically makes it artsy. This photographer is legit.
I know it's sepia.. I was referring to the pose. Who takes a crooked ass shot like that for an engagement photo? And I never said she wasn't legit??

[77civic1200]

^your sarcasm detector is faulty, send it in for an update!

[!MiKrofT]

^your sarcasm detector is faulty, send it in for an update!
lol. Thats what happens on 3 hours of sleep.

[CanadianJoker]

OMG I Totally want to pay her to shoot something for me!!! oh wait...


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs210.snc1/7730_155863663972_514693972_3576813_8043179_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs137.snc1/5854_120288738972_514693972_3084725_165996_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v332/222/15/514693972/n514693972_1385855_9507.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v315/222/15/514693972/n514693972_1250760_9873.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v264/222/15/514693972/n514693972_1164239_8787.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v297/222/15/514693972/n514693972_1134548_9269.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v264/222/15/514693972/n514693972_1134557_7035.jpg

PhotoShop Blur tool FTL!

[Senna4ever]

Those are horrible...

[Matsuda]

make the horror stop! *covers his eyes*

[davidhtam]

Holy shit those are fucking garbage. How do people like this even make business?!?

I wonder what kind of gear she's using?

[Soundy]

It's official, we just received an email from her saying she isn't refunding us any money, because she feels "...like I have done my part...".

Only if "her part" was providing silhouettes of the wedding party... :cry:

[Soundy]

PhotoShop Blur tool FTL!

I doubt she'd know what a Photoshop is... looks more like the "Soft Focus" effect in Picasa.

[Soundy]

BTW guys, remember the last time someone posted the photographertoronto.com link here and he actually signed up to post and thank us for driving all the traffic to him??

Wonder if this bimbo will do the same?

Wonder if she'll be as utterly oblivious as he was??

[davidhtam]

at least this time this "photographer" is localish (on the island).

Seriously though.. i still can't believe how bad her photos are

[!MiKrofT]

It's strange that she has so many friends/likes/compliments on facebook.

[Euro7r]

I bet some newbie with a point and shoot can take better pictures than this. WTF is this.

[Mananetwork]

OH MY!!

[N.V.M.]

someone started a thread on her Facebook wall, but i see it got deleted, lol.

[ilvtofu]

She didn't even bother to clone out the sensor dust...

She may be as bad as: http://www.photographertoronto.com/

LOL they changed their site a bit I can see, less talk about the 1d

[Soundy]

I remember when RS first found that site, he had entire weddings where the EXIF on the pics showed they were done with a Sony Cybershot and a Nokia phone! Now most of the pics have had the EXIF removed :troll:

[Senna4ever]

She knows nothing about colour theory - her B&W images look like she just desaturated them. What an embarrassment.

[!MiKrofT]

someone started a thread on her Facebook wall, but i see it got deleted, lol.

Lol. What did they write?
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[Senna4ever]

We should all make fake FB accounts and flood her site. >.>

[davidhtam]

why bother with making fake accounts? Just use real ones.

[davidhtam]

her maternity shots are so unflattering.. they look like softcore porn

[Senna4ever]

why bother with making fake accounts? Just use real ones.
...because I'm in the business. We have to be 'nice' to each other, and someone she knows maybe someone I know. :o

[Matsuda]

her gallery titles make me barf

[m3thods]

her maternity shots are so unflattering.. they look like softcore porn

hahah just went through them. it's definitely the truth :S

[davidhtam]

hahah just went through them. it's definitely the truth :S

actually i take it back.. i've seen softcore porn that looks better than that

[Soundy]

WE CAN HAZ WHITE BALANCE???

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs267.snc4/39691_452696528972_514693972_6336134_3871795_n.jpg

[Pumbaa]

Would this make a case in Vancouver, Canada?
Cuz this is more than just refund, this is once in a life time. Gosh

[Senna4ever]

In Vancouver's market, this person will not survive, I'm sure.

[seakrait]

For the OP's sake, what do you guys think can be done about the photos themselves? i.e. can they be salvaged at all? Maybe he could ask the photographer for the RAW files (if the photographer took the photos in RAW and not JPEG)?

[Manic!]

In Vancouver's market, this person will not survive, I'm sure.

Checked facebook. someone wants them for a wedding in vancouver.

[Senna4ever]

For the OP's sake, what do you guys think can be done about the photos themselves? i.e. can they be salvaged at all? Maybe he could ask the photographer for the RAW files (if the photographer took the photos in RAW and not JPEG)?
Hard to tell, but the ceremony pics will be very difficult to salvage even if shot in RAW. Of course, without looking at the RAW files it's impossible to tell.

[Senna4ever]

Checked facebook. someone wants them for a wedding in vancouver.
Excuse me while I go kill myself...

[N.V.M.]

i can't join her Facebook anymore. was it this thread link i emailed to her? :D

[Senna4ever]

i can't join her Facebook anymore. was it this thread link i emailed to her? :D

LMAO, you didn't.... :D

[!MiKrofT]

LOL. That would be hilarious if you did.

Hmm the Join button is still there for me.

[feiron]

her everlasting engagement page is a violation to many photographic basics. tilted horizon is one of the most annoying one

[seakrait]

Hard to tell, but the ceremony pics will be very difficult to salvage even if shot in RAW. Of course, without looking at the RAW files it's impossible to tell.

yeah, i wAnder if the OP will be able to get the RAW files from the photographer (if she took the photos in RAW) if/when he gets the photos from her on disc.

[Senna4ever]

yeah, i wAnder if the OP will be able to get the RAW files from the photographer (if she took the photos in RAW) if/when he gets the photos from her on disc.

I doubt it. No professional photographer in their right mind will willingly give out the RAW files to clients. It would be nice though if she did, and we could have a go at some of the files.

[seakrait]

I doubt it. No professional photographer in their right mind will willingly give out the RAW files to clients. It would be nice though if she did, and we could have a go at some of the files.

true. but i was thinking that if she wasn't going to refund the OP his $1000 for the shitty work she did, at least she could give him the RAW files to perhaps salvage some some of the photos.

also, don't you ever go to sleep? :p

[Matsuda]

Senna never sleeps, its easier to stalk his prey when everyone else is resting!

[N.V.M.]

seriously, i did. :haha:

[Senna4ever]

true. but i was thinking that if she wasn't going to refund the OP his $1000 for the shitty work she did, at least she could give him the RAW files to perhaps salvage some some of the photos.

also, don't you ever go to sleep? :p

We can only hope she has a heart beating in that talentless void.

Sleep? You can sleep when you're dead. :p

[Soundy]

her everlasting engagement page is a violation to many photographic basics. tilted horizon is one of the most annoying one

Well, there are some tilted couples out there ;)

[seakrait]

We can only hope she has a heart beating in that talentless void.
:haha:

Sleep? You can sleep when you're dead. :p
ha.

[Soundy]

We can only hope she has a heart beating in that talentless void.

As funny as that is, keep in mind that everyone here has gone through that stage when they didn't quite know what they were doing, but snapped pictures anyway because they love it. Lots of them post here asking for C&C and we're happy to provide advice and encouragement.

Where this girl opens herself for ridicule is strictly in her conduct with the OP - the "memory of a lifetime" photos he's paid her for are simply not acceptable, and her attitude of "I've done my part" is even less acceptable. It's no different than a mechanic repairing your brakes but then not putting the lug nuts back on tight, and when your wheel falls off, telling you simply, "I did my part."

No... you didn't.

[gilly]

dang i feel sorry for you man.

[N.V.M.]

update please! :troll:

[Jsunu]

Woah question OP, why did you go to this photographer in the first place? I don't know much about photography as it is but even looking at her "best" sample shots on her website, they are pretty bad :(.

[Mananetwork]

Woah question OP, why did you go to this photographer in the first place? I don't know much about photography as it is but even looking at her "best" sample shots on her website, they are pretty bad :(.

Sometimes the price is just right for some people.

I'd say if you're looking for a photographer, I recommend asking for a sample of all the images from one wedding. Some photographers just get lucky and post a few from the wedding because the rest is just sooo bad!

[gars]

Sometimes the price is just right for some people.

I'd say if you're looking for a photographer, I recommend asking for a sample of all the images from one wedding. Some photographers just get lucky and post a few from the wedding because the rest is just sooo bad!

Honestly though, I couldn't really see any good images on their website though....