I think I should introduce myself properly

Hello all, like the title says, I should introduce myself.

My name is Paul Lucas, I'm 35yrs old and I have been a member of this site since 5th March 2007 but I have only recently been a regular since the begining of the year. This is mainly because I work from home and have the odd few hours where I have nothing much to do. I also find this site very addictive, and even though I am a professional, I still find myself learning new techniques from fellow Pentax Users.

I am a professional portrait, wedding and events photographer. I have 2 businesses, one which I run myself doing mainly portraits, groups (such as children's organisations), and landscapes & wildlife. My other business focuses on larger weddings and large events & dinners, I run that with my business partner. I am currently working on a portfolio for my licentiateship to the British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP).

I started in photography at the age of 12 where my father let me buy a Praktica MTL50. Then I bought a Nikon F301 which I loved but found the lenses were so expensive.

I then traded that in for a Pentax MZ50 and have stayed with Pentax ever since. I bought my first digital, the fantastic *istD two months after it came out.
I now own the K10D and the K20D, the K10D is my trusty back up. I did have a vast array of lenses but have now sold the ones that I don't use as much, 2 of which I have sold to members on this site. I am hoping that Pentax do bring out a K30 or very similar in the future so that I can give my K20 a well deserved rest. I shoot mainly in Raw and sometimes in Raw and Jpeg. I make full use of the manual settings as I want full control in all that I do.

At some point I will upload some of my photographs and share rather than make comments about others all the time

I am happily married, have a cat and 2 rabbits and am a voulntary youth worker.
I also tend to rabbit on for ages, just like I have done in this post


Paul

Hello Paul, I'm not sure whether I should chip in with a "Welcome to the forum" or not since you've actually been registered here longer than me!

I've only shot one wedding and found it incredibly stressful so I doff my cap to anyone who can do that for a living.

---

Joining the Q

hi mr bug and welcome

Hi Paul,
More of a hello than welcome perhaps
Looking forward to seeing some of your work

---

Regards Huw

flickr

The first wedding I did was so stressful that, at the time, I vowed that I would never do another again.
Now, I do actually really enjoy them. If my clients choose the top package, they get a studio shoot at the end, this is where you get to unwind with the guests and get some amazing shots. Also with printing on the night you can walk away very happy

All I say to anyone who gets a chance to cover a wedding is enjoy yourself. Sounds crazy to say that, but if your client sees you happy then they relax and you get some of the best shots imaginable.
I have only had one wedding where it went a tad pearshaped, but I can honestly say that that was not my fault, but when they received their album, well lets just say that they loved it and they gave me an apology. It turned out great in the end.

Paul

hello paul and thanks for the 170-500mm sigma, loving it,

---

just keep snapping,

http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/scottbenson

http://s727.photobucket.com/albums/ww272/scottthehat/


CAMERAS = k200d + battery grip.
nikon d300 + battery grip.
LENSES = tamron aspherical DII 18-200mm f3.5/6.3,
nikon 18-200mm afs vr f3.5/5.6 g dx
sigma 150-500mm apo dg hsm os
sigma 170-500mm apo dg
FLASH = samsung sef36pzf flash + more.

Ya know, looking at the amazing handheld shots that you have taken with that lens, it makes me want to have it back

Maybe I should invest in one again....No, no, no I mustn't get tempted.
Really am glad that it went to a very good home and that you are producing such fantastic shots!

Paul

Hi Mr Bug,

Know what you mean about Weddings...did one in video, came out very well but when you are the only video photographer...it has to be right. A lot of time went into editing.

Thought my attempt was good until I saw a professional's. They had done some work for Spielberg ...and it showed.

Anyway, hope you can answer a few of my quetions....I'm a complete amateur with still photography...but how interesting when one gets it right. First grand daughter 6 months old.

Seem to be learning a lot every day from these guys and gals.



Rob

---

K20D
MZ 50
Pentax lenses....DA* 55mm f1.4 SDM ....F 35-80 f4-5.6....DA 18-250 f3.5-6.3....F 100-300 f4.5-5.6, D FA Macro 100 WR f2.8.

Centon mirror lens 500mm.

Pentax Flash ....AF 360FGZ

JVC 3ccd GZ MC 500EK camcorder

Hello and welcome from me too

Used to do video weddings with my Dad in my teens, and can agree that they can be enjoyable.

The one wedding I shot recently showed that the photographer definately has a harder job than the videographer, so hats off to you!

Look forward to you sharing some of your tips!

---

Website・Blog・Gear・Twitter・Facebook

Hi Paul welcome to the forum.

---

The older I get the faster I was.
Dave
K-3 II, K10D, DA16-85, DA*50-135, DA12-24, DA18-55, DA 50, Sigma EX DG 70mm Macro, Sigma 70-300mm, Sigma DG 120-400mm APO HSM.
Metz 58 AF-1.

My Flickr link

Hi Mr Bug, nice to hear from you.

---

Pentax K10D, *istDS
Pentax 18-55mm,50-200mm,Macro 100mm
Takumar-A 28-80mm, Sigma 170-500mm, Soligor Teleconverter x2

Finally!! Sigma 10-20mm

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

http:/www.pentaxphotogallery.com/maliskaoosthuizen

Hi and welcome

---

Tracey
K100D Super,DA 55-300.
CS3