I am glad to see you cloned out the no bicycles sign in the second photo. It was distracting in the first photo.
Yeah Mark, I had done that for the client's Proof DVD for just that shot to show the clients it could be seamlessly removed ... the S2 shot wasn't on the DVD because of his squinty expression, not because the S2 file wasn't nice ... it was very nice.
I cannot express how disappointed I was. When I got to the location at the University of Michigan Law Quad, (where the clients went to school), and saw the muted quality of light and all the architectural background possibilities I was
very excited.
I thought I'd be posting some beautiful S2 images here as part of my final conclusion instead of a tale of woe. The 35 and 180 never had a chance to come out of the bag
I think they're just as pissed at the camera as I am ...:ROTFL:
This was an important shoot for me ... not the nature of shoot which was a routine engagement session for a wedding client ... but because the nice couple are from very well connected families in wealthy Grosse Pointe and Franklin Village MI. Clients like this place a high value on photography, are demanding but easy to work with, and are willing to pay for a premium product without blinking an eye. It was a "gateway" shoot because my business lives and dies on word-of-mouth.
Some folks may wonder why MFD for this type work? Especially a camera in the Rolls Royce strata.
I've taken to using the highest quality tools I can get to do this work ... Leica M9 for candid available light, the Sony A900 for some action stuff ... plus more and more MFD portraits & environmental portraits, as well as church interiors and large sweeping shots of locations etc. ... because I sell big albums and large wall prints. The
smallest album I do requires 13"X19" @ 360 dpi images for full bleed spreads. With cropping, perspective corrections, etc. MFD provides max data to work with and few compromises in IQ.
Yesterday, I got a call from the father of the Bride who received an Album from his daughter for Christmas ... he went on and on about the photography, citing specific images and how rich and detailed they were, how beautiful the church spread was, etc. etc. ... and how he has taken it to his work and passed out my cards to interested parties. He is a big shot Lawyer from Grosse Pointe Farms. This level of client is very cliquish and endorsements with-in their circle of influence plays a huge role in getting more high-end work.
The S2 would have fit right in this working scenario, while simplifying the gear bag.
-Marc
Sorry for the longish response to a simple statement ... but clarity of purpose plays a big role in decisions like this.