Started back into my photography after forced retirement.

[LukeD]

Multi quote gone haywire and cant edit???

I started off with the 85mm/1.8 but due to space limitation as this was done in my lounge I quickly had to revert to the 50mm/1.8. As cheap as this lens is, it can still do a pretty decent job.

I think a lot of trades can have similarities. There are some very good and successful photographers still doing weddings, at the high end of the market, I wouldn't say it was dead. You could say the same for some sparks, I was brought up on large commercial works but the last 9-10 years was satisfied being a one man band with the Domestic Installer badge, whereas some friends/colleagues are making a mint with much bigger stuff. Some still employ the likes of Tony down the pub.

I think one of the problems with photography is that since digital arrived, everyone thinks they are a pro, and fools employ them for the cheaper rate.
A big part of it still comes down to marketing and being a good businessman as well as a good photographer. I was a decent sparks, but terrible businessman.
My mindset has always been to pay for the best you can afford, unfortunately some still go the eBay route.

Thanks for the comments.

THink... Over the last 18 months , most wedding went ---- up and the dates all moved around .Then the numbers became a issue .Only x could attend etc .Then litigation .... Ive know 2 very very high end guys (Rich Indian /chinese weddings that have multiple destinations/ venues ) that have done weddings and found images STOLEN from them .And they have to work out if they can afford a legal battle. Then as you said rightly , the gear today is bloody good and you can attend a wedding where a lot of people have semi /pro gear and are not that bad. So they can offer pics for free etc. Its not a easy game . What is amazing is how bodies like G1/G2 Contax have gone from almost been worthless to now holding good prices !

 

[stevethesparks]

Good points, I hadn't equated the Covid problem into my thinking.

 

[westward10]

Ditch digital and get some film cameras much more interesting. I have never been swayed to change even though I use one at work they are just sterile and need little skill. Here are my most used cameras, with the trend to return to film the Mamiya 7II shown here is almost unattainable now and command high value.

 

[stevethesparks]

My choice years ago was Olympus (OM1 & OM2), I also dabbled with a Yashica and an old Bronica medium format camera's.
I had a darkroom with a brilliant Phillips pcs2000 enlarger and colour analyser, the most awkward part was getting the colour balance right, it took a lot of time inc washing/drying drums etc with much wasted chemicals. The best item I purchased in the later years was a deep tank processor of which totally avoided drums etc.

It was a lot of fun, but since going digital, my main interests are in studio and lighting set-ups, and digital allows much more time to do this, as well as being able to double check exposure.
Its a different world now with more effort now spent of producing printer/paper and camera profiles and getting colour correction right at the click of a button. I can now produce prints as good a standard as some of the most expensive print houses. Playing in photoshop is another part of the process to achieving the wanted end result.
I wouldn't go back to film now.

 

[westward10]

Never dabbled with colour processing just black and white, still got all the gear but it will probably never get used again unless I lived on my own.

 

[ruston]

My choice years ago was Olympus (OM1 & OM2), I also dabbled with a Yashica and an old Bronica medium format camera's.
I had a darkroom with a brilliant Phillips pcs2000 enlarger and colour analyser, the most awkward part was getting the colour balance right, it took a lot of time inc washing/drying drums etc with much wasted chemicals. The best item I purchased in the later years was a deep tank processor of which totally avoided drums etc.

It was a lot of fun, but since going digital, my main interests are in studio and lighting set-ups, and digital allows much more time to do this, as well as being able to double check exposure.
Its a different world now with more effort now spent of producing printer/paper and camera profiles and getting colour correction right at the click of a button. I can now produce prints as good a standard as some of the most expensive print houses. Playing in photoshop is another part of the process to achieving the wanted end result.
I wouldn't go back to film now.

I still have a Durst colour enlarger that has lain in a loft since the late seventies.

 

[LukeD]

Ditch digital and get some film cameras much more interesting. I have never been swayed to change even though I use one at work they are just sterile and need little skill. Here are my most used cameras, with the trend to return to film the Mamiya 7II shown here is almost unattainable now and command high value.View attachment 91972

Aperture in London are good for film stock and they get 7-2's from time to time in Good condition

 

[MoserV8]

Ditch digital and get some film cameras much more interesting. I have never been swayed to change even though I use one at work they are just sterile and need little skill. Here are my most used cameras, with the trend to return to film the Mamiya 7II shown here is almost unattainable now and command high value.View attachment 91972

I actually fully agree with your comment on the Skill Level, most "Photographers" today would be utterly lost with no rear LCD & Software that can compensate for 3 stops or more of exposure Balls Ups! There was a certain Magic with getting your Fujichrome back through the post and seeing you had nailed the shots, I have a 5D IV - However (Its technologically great) the Magic isnt there as it used to be! I very often think of dabbling back with film and id love to go 6 x 6 .