Why pro camera gear is so darn heavy and expensive!

Ok...this post is not for the faint of heart. If you are a photographer...look away. Run. Go to another web page because you do not want to see this.

Folks wonder why our gear is so heavy...why is it so expensive. What is the big deal, what is the difference anyway? My pack for Friday's architectural shoot weighed 27 lbs and was about $8k in gear, not counting the cost of the software on the Macbook I was shooting tethered to.

The below is one of the very rare pictures on my blog, that I did not take. Photo credit goes to ToykoBling.
This is one of my favorite lenses...the Nikon 14-24mm F2.8. Super sharp, amazing in low light and so wide that the state of Montana called and is jealous. It is also almost $2000. One of the reasons is that to get all that amazing performance...it takes a lot of hand ground, very special, glass. They don't normally look like this. This one was attached to a Nikon D3 and cut in half. I shoot it with the Nikon D700, but the look is the same.

The camera is magnesium, for light weight and high strength. The lens body is all metal. And all that expensive glass means it focuses very quickly, in low light and can be superbly sharp. Your Uncle's D60 or Canon Rebel doesn't have what it takes. Of course, the best tools only make the job a little easier. A camera might capture the image, but to see a great photo in your mind first takes skill, practice and a certain level of art. You want to hire a pro for special events...Uncle Bob might take great snapshots...but they are not the same as the images a pro will capture for your once in a lifetime event.

Read more about it and see more scary pictures here:
http://tokyobling.wordpress.com/2008/12/17/nikon-d3-cut-in-half/

20 Dates for 20 Bucks

One of my favorite places was just featured on News 12's story "20 Dates for 20 Bucks".
http://www.news12.com/LI/topstories/article?id=225360#

The Spoon Coffeehouse, in Lindenhurst, is one of those places that should be in Manhattan, cost 3x as much and have a velvet rope in front. Instead, it is down to earth, bright and friendly.

While the food is great, the place homey and comfortable...the real draw for me is the great coffee and live music. Not live music like Mulcahey's, with the amps set to 11, but think acoustic guitar, haunting vocals and music you can have a conversation over. Don't think date place just for the 20 something set either. If you are married, it is the perfect spot to keep that flame burning bright in your hearts and remind yourselves that you need to get out more often.

In addition to the music, coffee and desserts...you simply have to try the Frozen Hot Chocolate. I grew up at Serendipity's and I think Spoon's Frozen Hot Chocolate is far better.

There is a rotating gallery of local artists who have their work displayed and complement the sophisticated feel of the place. I am the resident artist and always have 20 or so pieces up, so it is also a great way to see my work. In my pieces you will see a lot of everyday images, presented in a whole new way that tells a story. And, really, that is what wedding photography is all about. Telling a personal story, showing how your event is different, even though many of the motions and locations might be the same.

Ways to save on your Wedding costs

Weddings can be expensive but there are a host of ways to save while still having an amazing party.
Sure, you can go for a quartet instead of a full band. Heck, there are some AMAZING DJs that can read the crowd and play the classics better than a band.
But what about the cake? While you probably don't want a Carvel Fudgie the Whale ice cream cake...there are ways to have an awesome cake...and afford it too.

One idea is to rent a cake

What? You can do that?
Yeah... http://www.cakerental.com/index.html
The premise is you have a display on an amazing cake...one that would cost a fortune...and the cake you actually serve, while similar in appearance (and FAR better in taste) is a simple sheet cake. There is even a way to work the couple cutting the cake.

Check them out and see if it could be right for you. After all...you rent the limo, the tuxedos...why not the fancy cake?

For the best in creative New York Wedding Photography call J. Mitchel Photography.