I want to know.... *click here!* :)

[JeffieLove]

I have this question just burning in the back of my mind and it's really been driving me nuts...

Do you need a "pro" body to be a "pro" photographer?

What exactly is a "pro" body?



Lately, I've honestly been wondering why the eyes in my portraits that I take never seem to be as sharp as the eyes in "pro" photos where you can see how "glassy" they look and everything being perfectly clear and crisp. It just takes my breath away to see that in OTHER photos, but I don't feel like I've EVER really accomplished that. I make sure that my focus is on the person's face, I try not to shoot wide open. I did in my last shoot just because I wanted to try something different for that one shoot (note to self, don't do that with clients...) I'm honestly at a loss as to why I can never get perfect, crisp, clear eyes in my portraits. Drives me nuts! I'm honestly thinking about not really pushing the whole "business" type thing for a while because after seeing the photos that a lot of other people do, I am REALLY starting to feel like I have no clue what I'm doing...

But then I can come here and all these new people are asking questions and I feel like I have a TON of knowledge that I can share and actually be helpful, I just can't seem to apply it myself...

So, main questions, do you need a "pro" body to be a "pro" and get those perfect, crisp eyes?? And what exactly makes a body a "pro" body?

 

[Josh66]

'Pro' bodies have a comma on the price tag.

They do usually have better AF though - that could be a factor. Mostly though, I think a lot of what you're seeing is just lighting and PP. Mostly lighting.

 

[e.rose]

'Pro' bodies have a comma on the price tag.

They do usually have better AF though - that could be a factor. Mostly though, I think a lot of what you're seeing is just lighting and PP. Mostly lighting.

Couldn't the quality of lens attribute to that as well?

 

[MissCream]

Can you post some examples? Are you talking about a medium format camera body?

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

The forum has collectively determined that you are pro, when you get paid to do something.
So, you can be a pro, regardless of your camera or quality of your work.

What's more important, to be called a pro or be a master of your craft? The two do not mean the same thing..

 

[Josh66]

'Pro' bodies have a comma on the price tag.

They do usually have better AF though - that could be a factor. Mostly though, I think a lot of what you're seeing is just lighting and PP. Mostly lighting.

Couldn't the quality of lens attribute to that as well?

Of course, but looking at her sig - she has he 85 1.8 and the 50 1.8, both of which should delivery pretty solid results. I've never personally used the 50mm 1.8 (I have the 1.4) - but that 85 is a great lens.

I still think it's mostly light...

 

[JeffieLove]

Can you post some examples? Are you talking about a medium format camera body?

I'm talking about the portraits I do with my XSi and either 50mm or 85mm lens...

Here's one with my 50:

Here's one with the 85:

And here's what I'm talking about with clear crisp eyes that I can't seem to get
http://www.chrissiemariephotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/child_girl_photography.jpg
http://www.photographybychariseblog...09/05/child-photography-thousand-oaks-109.jpg
http://michellekanephotography.com/...phy-child-photographer-sheridan-wyoming-2.jpg

 

[JeffieLove]

The forum has collectively determined that you are pro, when you get paid to do something.
So, you can be a pro, regardless of your camera or quality of your work.

What's more important, to be called a pro or be a master of your craft? The two do not mean the same thing..

I would like to one day be both... I definitely don't think I'm a pro just because I get paid $20-50 to do portraits half as good as a REAL pro who charges hundreds does... And by REAL pro I mean like... Welcome to Linton Photography

 

[e.rose]

'Pro' bodies have a comma on the price tag.

They do usually have better AF though - that could be a factor. Mostly though, I think a lot of what you're seeing is just lighting and PP. Mostly lighting.

Couldn't the quality of lens attribute to that as well?

Of course, but looking at her sig - she has he 85 1.8 and the 50 1.8, both of which should delivery pretty solid results. I've never personally used the 50mm 1.8 (I have the 1.4) - but that 85 is a great lens.

I still think it's mostly light...

<----------- Signature reading ability fail. :lmao:

 

[MissCream]

I'm going to have to agree and say its probably due to your lighting.

 

[Josh66]

Getting light into the eyes is something that I struggle with a lot too. I can never seem to get good light on the eyes without blowing the face out... Sometimes I get lucky though...


I'm starting to think it has more to do with the angle the light is hitting the eyes at than anything else...

 

[Stradawhovious]

I clicked on the first link, and I would bet my personalized Verne Gagne autograph that its PP'd to the hilt.

I have noticed that ever since I have been toying with light...... REAL light, that "my" eyes have gotten much snappier.

For example... here is a 100% crop from one of the latest, straight from the camera.

May not be what you're looking for, but I have noticed that light really makes all the difference.

 

[JeffieLove]

I'm going to have to agree and say its probably due to your lighting.

That's helpful. At least I know it's not focus issues (at least not mostly) and I need to focus on lighting...

Hmph... Now to figure out how to do it with natural light primarily... I've had pretty good luck in the studio, it's just been natural light that I haven't been getting it...

I do still kinda wanna know if you all think that you need to have a "pro" body to be a "pro"...

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

I do still kinda wanna know if you all think that you need to have a "pro" body to be a "pro"...

What's your answer to your question?

 

[Josh66]

I do still kinda wanna know if you all think that you need to have a "pro" body to be a "pro"...

I think it's all about the portfolio.

If you have a solid portfolio, and can deliver that quality of work all the time - who cares what body you use.

That said, pro bodies are nice. They won't necessarily make your pictures any better, but they are easier to work with.