Combined Blog!! New website!!

My website has been replaced with a dedicated blog and it can be seen at http://jamesthephotog.wordpress.com or on my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/jamespricephotographer

Thanks for visiting me here, and please visit me there!

James

To answer the questions about my gear

Since starting in photography I have had a lot of emails asking about how I started, the gear that I use, lighting, and for feedback on their work. It is great to receive the messages, and yes, I do find it flattering that people might even slightly care, but as I am not trained formally I don't like to answer technical questions, simply because I usually don't know. And sorry, but I don't like critiquing other peoples work.

What I am using now!
To answer the question about my gear. Well, I shoot using three bodies. My primary body is now a Canon 5D Mark II and I am migrating to all Canon gear. Having only just received my 5D Mark II, I am now working out what my primary use lenses will be. Probably an 85mm f/1.2, 70-200 f/2.8 IS, and maybe a 12-24mm for wide angle stuff. Oh, I have the 24-105 f/4 that came with the body.

I use a Nikon D300 as my second body at the moment, I still have a Fujifilm S5 with a 50mm f/1.4 I like to play with, and an old Fujifilm S3 floating around. For my Nikon mount gear I generally only shoot using two lenses. My primary lens is a 70-200 f/2.8 and then I use a 50mm f/1.4. Oh, and on my S3 I have a 18-200mm Nikon lens for point and shoot stuff.

The latest question "Why the move to Canon?"

My first camera was a Nikon, they two Nikon mount Fujifilm bodies, then another Nikon, so many have asked why I am going Canon. Fujfilm make amazing sensors and Nikon produce some very nice bodies, but for one reason or another (but primarily because I wanted a full frame body), I was left considering a mount I would invest in for the next few years. I was very impressed with the Nikon D3, but Nikon dealt the final blow with the pricing of the new D3X, just ridiculous. Sony, I wasn't impressed with the quality or body features of the A900, and then the Canon 5D Mark II was released, and that was it, my decision was made. More of the pro's I know use Canon gear, and the overall quality was pretty impressive. The day my 5D Mark II arrived, I took my first shots on a Canon and I was very relieved that I made the right decision.

Lighting

On body Speedlites, I use a 580EX II on my Canon body, and a Nikon SB800 on for my Nikon gear.

My studio lights are 2 x 250ws lamps with 1 x 30x40" Softbox and a couple of 110cm umbrella's. Oh, I have just ordered a new 36" Beauty Dish. Thats it. Keep it simple, don't focus on your gear, focus on your talent as a photographer. I have to be honest, but I use A LOT of No 8 wire! Kiwi's know what this!

Ellese - Copyright 2008 James Price

Lighting is something that I am still playing with, and I don't really think one should ever stop playing. Experimenting with light has been the coolest thing.  The above shot of Ellese was digitally finished by my talented wife Shana, but it was simply shot in my lounge using my little 250 watt lights. No8 wire again!

What I started with - About the Nikon D70 and the Hasselblad

My first camera body was a Nikon D70, and the I went to a Fujifilm S3. Hasselblad provided a H1D with 16 megapixel back for a month only 6 months after I fell into photography, but to be honest, I truly preferred my S3. The H1D was bulky, slow, and the image quality wasn't really 'that' great, but I did see it had its applications. Having since had a look at a Hasselblad H3D-31, they have fixed all the issues I had, and it is an amazing camera.

LINKS

For those wanting to know more abut the cameras I have mentioned, here are links to their respective DPreview review's.  Nikon D70 , Fujifilm S3 , Fujifilm S5 , Nikon D300 , Canon 5D Mark II  I haven't been able to find similar reviews for the Hasselblad's so just Google them for more information.

Canon New Zealand - Nikon New Zealand - Hasselblad Australia

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A bit of an update!

Its been a couple of months since my last blog so I thought I should get stuck back into things and do an update for everyone. We are settled in Waiouru and are absolutely loving it! Yeah, I know, Waiouru? But honest, its a great place with some great people. It has been hard on the old body doing the long hours but its been worth it.

Ordered my new camera and lenses the other day. I have decided to migrate from Nikon gear to Canon, so we have to replace everything. Its an expensive process. I have purchased a Canon 5D MkII so am really looking forward to it arriving in the next couple of days. A review of the Canon 5D MkII

Over the past couple of months, I have had the opportunity to take some time out, have a think about things, look at my future direction. I thought I would share some of those who stood out to me. I do like their style and am happy to be influenced by them, some very cool work.

Gavin O'Neill
Gabriele Rigon
Robert Voltaire
Raya
Victor de Mello
Ellen von Unwerth

Its time for a change!

Since starting my career back in 2005 I have spent a lot of my time trying to bring work to Wanganui to support my home town, and to develop a studio where I could work with my family and friends but its time to grow up and move on.

Finding out about my Asperger's Syndrome, my son Tyler's Autism, and how life will not be the same has added to an interesting few years but its time for a change.

My wife Shana and I have had the opportunity to work with some amazing people, and through Sexy Backs we have also met some wonderful souls too. But, just like my career, its time for some changes and Sexy Backs is going to have a holiday whilst we get things organised. It will be back early 2009.

Over a long and stressful couple of weeks, decisions have been made. I have decided that 2009 will not be like the past few years.

Anyway, Wanganui isn't going to be home for much longer. I am about to take the first steps on what will hopefully be a long and exciting journey.