On Thu, Jul 4, 2013 at 1:02 PM, Walt <ldott...@gmail.com> wrote: > On 7/4/2013 11:37 AM, Bruce Walker wrote: >> >> There you go: problem solved! Big windows and white walls are >> photographers nirvana. Your next purchase should be a couple of 4x8' >> sheets of silvered one side foam insulation. Use them to bounce light >> from the windows and you have million dollar studio light. Pain the >> backs of the insulation flat black for maximum utility. >> >> -- >> -bmw > > It definitely would solve the problem. I guess the only reason I haven't > approached him before is that I don't want to impose, or interrupt him while > he's working. But, then, every time he has a technical issue with anything > electronic, I'm the go-to guy. > > I just wonder how much I ought to offer in the way of rent, beyond my > friendship and relatively meager tech savvy. If I asked him, he'd decline > any rent at all. But, I'd prefer to pay a little money for the ability to > drop by at odd hours unannounced, so long as I don't disturb his work or > sleep. I don't want to turn it into a strictly-business relationship; I'd > much rather have a friend. But, at the same time, I don't want to feel like > I'm taking advantage of a friend, or taking him for granted by just popping > in whenever the notion strikes and leaving nothing but a "Thanks!" as I walk > out the door. Just about anyone would get sick and tired of that after a > while. > > Any thoughts (and not just Bruce, but anyone else who wants to chime in).
If you were in Canada I'd say pay him with beer and toques. How about a semi-formal contra arrangement? Try to assign a value to your handyman work and track the hours you put in. *And* bring beer. > Specifically to Bruce: I gather the flat black side would be used for a > backdrop? You _could_, but the usual purpose is to exclude/absorb light. If you are doing a low-key shot, eg a formal portrait or figure study, you want to carefully control light onto your subject. Placing two black surfaces to either side will avoid unwanted side light. Two 4x8's taped together along their long edge is known as a V-flat (it's self-standing too). Usually white/black but silver/black is more efficient for lower power light sources. If you point the open end of a V-flat (silver side in) at a subject and aim your flash into it, it becomes an enormous umbrella capable of lighting a group. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.