UPDATE – January 16, 2010
I talk to a lot of photographers and get lots of e-mails asking about gear, software, etc., so here’s my unofficial gear guide:
In My Bag (I use a BODA bag and Larisa uses a ShootSac)
Yup, I did it, I switched to Nikon, now I have:
Nikon D700 bodies x 2
Nikon 70 – 200 ƒ2.8<< totally my go to lens, if I could choose just one lens, this would be it
Nikon 50mm ƒ1.4
Nikon 85mm ƒ1.4
Nikon 24 – 70 ƒ2.8
Nikon SB-900 Flash x 2
Pocket Wizards remote flash triggers
In Larisa’s Bag:
Canon 5D body
Canon 50mm ƒ1.2
Canon 85mm ƒ1.8
Canon 70 – 200 ƒ2.8
Canon 24 – 70 ƒ2.8
Conon 16 – 36 ƒ2.8
Canon 580 EX I and II flash x 2
We shoot between 3000 and 5000 images per wedding, so we download to our EPSON P-5000 throughout the day for safekeeping.
In The Studio
We run a mix of Apple computers, everything from PowerMac Towers to MacBook Pro laptops.
We always shoot RAW and use PhotoMechanic for editing, Adobe Lightroom for colour correction and RAW processing and Adobe Photoshop for retouching and any artisitic processing.
I’ve tried Apple Aperture, while it’s really good, Lightroom just feels a bit better, but it’s really just a matter of preference because they are both awesome programs.
For online proofing, we use and HIGHLY recommend a PickPic Cart, and for our online booking and client service application we also recommend ShootQ.
If you have any questions, drop me an e-mail or leave a comment below.
john
by John Lyons
7 comments
photoshop updates - wow good site please continue it posting
John Lyons - Hi there Donna, I shoot with a single D700 throughout the day. Easily, 75% of the day is with my 70 – 200, the rest is with the 85 and the 24 – 70.
Thank you so much!
Donna - Hi John
I truly love your work and I’m always in “Aw” with your photos. First I want to say thanks for sharing the type of gear you shoot with, a lot of photographers hardly ever give out that sorta of information. I see you shoot with a Nikon D700. I have a Nikon D60 it was my very first camera that I purchased and now I’m looking to buy another camera Nikon of course
. My question to you is your favourite lens is the 70-200 and with the newer camera I am going to purchase I would like to know what would be your second best lens would be? I am tired of changing lenses and working with just one camera so I will be purchasing a camera with one lens that I wouldn’t need to change all the time. What do you suggest?
John Lyons - Thanks so much Nicole!
Nicole - Hello John,
I have just recently taken up photography and have become enthrolled with your work, you are one talented photographer, Your pics are stunning! I just wanted to thank you for having this information posted, I always wondered what you were shooting with etc and I think its so great taht you offer this to others. I think its wonderful how confidant you are in your own abilities etc to share this information. A lot of people are out for themselves but you are truly a breathe of frsh air!
John Lyons - Thank you so much Brianna, Dan, Karen and Traci!!
Traci, it’s just a couple of textures layered over the image with very low opacity. Super simple…
Traci Wutke - Hi John. I love your work and often come here for inspiration. I was wondering, if you wouldn’t mind telling that is, how you make the grain on your pictures. That very like speckled look, is it a brush in PS? Thanks! Keep up the good work and have a great day.