[J A Y M O R R]

The Nikon 17-35 2.8 on the FX sensor is goodness.

[J A Y M O R R]

Thanks for the update Zach.

[J A Y M O R R]

I will be sticking with my D700 and will most likely pick up a D800 now and sell my D300s that I have as a backup body.

[J A Y M O R R]

Time, Time, Time.

My workflow from LR4 to CS6 has been worked over and changes all the time.

[J A Y M O R R]

Really nice work, may I ask you about the exif or lens and camera info at least?  I am really working on my skills and love the details for learning purposes.  Most of my shots are primarily action (kid’s sports) but just now starting to feel or have the courage to bring a DSLR to the stream.  Thanks for sharing!

Thank you everyone.

[J A Y M O R R]

Nikon 300 2.8 VR  

[J A Y M O R R]

7-8K images should not be a problem with using something like an external drive or a back up drive on your machine.  

If you are looking for an online service you could pay for http://www.carbonite.com

A free suggestion for that many images depending on if they are RAW or not would be to use DropBox.  www.dropbox.com

They offer a few gigs free and if you have an iPhone or iPad you can access any of the files from your phone as well.  If you refer people you get more free space.  I like the service quite a bit.  It is a roaming USB stick for me that I can access all my important documents and images from at anytime.

If your image collection grows there are some alternative pro solutions out there that are more suitable.

[J A Y M O R R]

Zach,

[J A Y M O R R]

Still lovin my D700 & backup D300s.  It will do just fine until I have cash on hand to upgrade.  But then again there is some new glass that I just may want to add to my collection.  Either way it is great to be a Nikonian.

[J A Y M O R R]

Right on.

[J A Y M O R R]

Thanks fellas.  This year has been a lot of fun.  The Summer fishing is fantastic.

[J A Y M O R R]

It will be a great camera especially if the faster FPS holds true.  Awesome specs with excellent price point.  I will pick one up for sure as a backup.

[J A Y M O R R]

Keep in mind that not all lenses have to be new, in order to be a great lens. At these distances, you may find that you want to manual focus anyway and there sure are some amazing old school lenses in the secondary market, that are very inexpensive!

Also, do yourself a favor and don’t freeze every shot, a little motion blur can be a lot of fun and bring life to your subject’s. 🙂 As always, if the subject is to far out of reach, you may be to far away from it ;).

I couldn’t agree more!

[J A Y M O R R]

The problem you would have putting a TC extender on the kit lens (if you could) is that you will lose Fstops.

As Roy mentioned, the 70-200 is a 2.8 and the 1.7 TC is a great option.  I use it a lot for sports and birds.  

Remember that the key to getting great wildlife shots is not about the focal length of the lens.

I tell soccer moms all day that think because I wield a large lens they think I can get super tight shots. I tell them that I get the same reach as them using their 70-300 5.6.  People look at large primes and think it is easy to capture close shots, I smile every time.  They simply think it is easy mode.

It is not about the gear but about position, patience, more patience and some skill in the approach and setup.  The only thing an expensive prime will give is more opportunities when it comes to light and buying fstops! There is a reason why the 300 2.8 cost 6k and a kit lens is a few hundo.  A 2.8 fstop with a 1.7 TC is going to put you at f4 and if you use a 2.0 TC your going to lose 2 full stops.  In most birding situations especially out west where I reside, my opportunities come early mornings or evenings when light is at its best and when the wildlife is out.  I owned a Tokina 80-400 5.6 and it was a fairly quick zoom lens.  Even with its fast focus it wasn’t good enough to get me the exposures I was looking for during the times I mentioned.  I was constantly bumping up higher ISO’s and grain was very noticeable. However something very important to note….it didn’t stop me from shooting, it just made me work harder for my shots 😉

[J A Y M O R R]

I typically use incense.  But I guess cigarette smoke would work too. 😉

Thanks.  

[J A Y M O R R]

Great comments.  I think a few things have helped me.  

1.  Have fun.  Either love what you do or do not do it at all.  The passion you put into your work is reflected in your portraits and with your clients.
2.  Study the game. I mean truly study techniques, lighting, articles, reviews, workshops, practice…practice more (the more you shoot the better you get).
3.  Proper planning.  Take time to create and plan various shots so when the opportunities come up, you are ready.
4.  Stop worrying about the competition. Instead, embrace it and find ways to be different.  STYLE IS NOT BORN….it is developed!
5.  DON’T BE A DICK!  Stay humble and be cordial to those that are trying to become better.  (I know how I have felt when it has been me on the receiving end of being snubbed by someone in the industry).
6.  Look for marketing opportunities.  Local events, donating work or shoots for worthy causes, facebook and social media outlets, fly fishing clubs, blogging, etc.
7.  Work smarter.  It is ok to turn down work. Defining the value of your photography will help you work smarter and not spread yourself to thin.  Realize that everyone wants a discount on work. Establishing proper price points with your clients will save you both a lot of time and money in the long run.  Most people do not enjoy working for free.
8.   Set small goals and reward yourself when they are achieved.  (I once had a goal to land a cover shot.  It was a lot of fun and a memorable experience.)
9.  When discouragement sets in look back on your progression, pick up the camera and find subjects to shoot.
10.  Refine your workflow.  Look for better ways to shoot and process your imagery.  This goes back to #2 on the list.  Most often the simple things can save huge amounts of time from shoot to post production.

These 10 things were on a list I made for myself.  Hopefully it helps you out and keeps you motivated to continue doing and seeking all that you want from photography.

I have found that everyone is driven by something.  Some togs are driven by money, others by seeing their work in print, the challenge or innovation.  I can honestly say that I have been driven by all of them….what propels me right now is the happiness I feel when I am behind a lens and working with others.  The money can be great, print is fun and the people I usually meet are all rewarding.

[J A Y M O R R]

Last paragraph located here:
http://www.jaymorr.com/blog/?page_id=2

The way I look at it, the digital revolution has made it affordable for anyone to get in the game.  A new “tog” sprouts up every day.  

Have fun, study the game, and be a professional.  The rest will take care of itself and the imagery will set itself a part from the masses.

Your imagery is too good Mike to worry about what everyone else is doing or charging.  I have been there and done that 😉

Focus on your style and your craft and it won’t bother you.  In fact it will give you a little bit of a smile.

The people in the know….they know and see the difference and that is all that matters.

Continue to rip it!

[J A Y M O R R]

I have been shooting on the 700 since it came out.  LOVE IT!  I am still undecided…I will either pick up a D4 and get rid of my backup D300s or hold out and see what the 400 brings.  

The 400 going to a full frame would cut out a whole market of shooters.  Wildlife and sports shooters enjoy having the crop factor for a little extra reach.  I don’t see Nikon making the 400 full frame.

[J A Y M O R R]

Yes, I use stacks.

[J A Y M O R R]

Thanks Maarten, this was shot on the Nikor 105mm 2.8 Macro.

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