FAQ
How
can I see more of your work?
Come
to the studio. I have tried to provide a nice balance of varying images
here on this web site. I hope you can get some feel from this. But there
is no comparison between the studio, and these puny low resolution files
for the web. Let's discuss any concerns you have.
What
is the difference between video products available for events?
A lot: From un-edited and then selectively shot and cleaned up, to deluxe
and ultra edited, where the entire project is shot for the mood and
feel.
What
size albums do you make?
From 4x5 to 11 x 14. Albums can be flush, or have panel borders to grip
and frame the prints. They can have even larger borders to accommodate
vertical and horizontal prints, or they can be square. My favorite is
the Horizontal flush album. I call it Cartesian, and it is my first
recommendation. All images are horizontal in either 12x10, or 10x8 size.
How
many pictures in the albums?
It is not the number of pages, but the number of images that will tell
your story. Emotion and impact is best made by very careful and creative
arrangement of images. There can be one across two facing pages - called
a panorama, or there can be many images arranged into a montage on a
single page. The key point is that they be put together with style,
skill and artistry. I have seen so many studios just throw them in,
in any which way to "sell more pictures" that is very unfortunate, and
I will never do that.
How
many images do I need?
First Think about what the event and the album mean to you and yours.
I approach each project to produce a full-bodied, collection of images
that will completely convey all the myriad of emotions and human dynamics
present that day. My first choice is to not count the film, or the techniques
used, but to do everything to make as many interesting and exciting
images as possible. I do not believe that I am there to give you memories.
You have to have the memories yourself first. But I am there to make
a statement and interpret what can be seen, in a way that will truly
mean more to you later. I do a lot of related images that are designed
specifically to work together and enhance the whole impression of what
is happening... Sequences of events and emotions that taken all together
really can wow the viewer. The typical image count in albums of our
parents or grandparents, something like 36 or 50 are absurdly unrealistic
in today's time when we are surrounded by imagery everywhere, and we
have the best and most flexible technology and means to produce an heirloom
of great artistic proportions, doing justice to the event and its important
participants. I personally feel that a real album begins at somewhere
between 85 and 120 images. But there is no limit and we are doing bigger
and better things all the time.
Will
you personally be at our event?
If you contract for me to be there. Yes I will.
Do
you work with an assistant?
Yes. It is important that the assistant know what he is doing...that
he understand a lot about lighting. Most think that the assistant just
stands there and "holds the light". Absolutely false. I am always intensely
training my assistant(s), and always looking for talented ones. Anyone
can load and unload equipment, set up lights and hold one as directed.
That is being a Pole Bearer! There are lots of gofers and Pole Bearers,
but very few assistants. I appreciate them, and my clients certainly
notice the difference.
Do
you shoot Black and White?
Yes. I can shoot an entire event in Black in white, or I can do it 50-50,
or all in color. I am opposed to the idea of just doing "a little".
Sometimes clients request it as a fad. They say just do "one roll".
The problem is that the right way to shoot B & W is with feeling. Not
just for variety. B&W brings out the shape, and form, without boring
us with unimportant detail. It can be striking. Very powerful. When
I shoot Black and White, I see and think differently. As an artist,
it is more natural to do this through-out, or to not do it at all. I
always ask the client this question: "If I shot what turns out
to be your favorite portrait, (due to expression, and pose, etc,Š ),
in Black and White, would you be disappointed that it was not in color?"
If the answer is "no, not at all!", then you are a prime candidate
for B & W. If you say: "yes, I want Black and White, but I would
be disappointed if it were not in color" , then it tends to be
difficult to know exactly what to do in Black and White. Since I work
one pose into the next, and work by feel, the first series is very natural.
I then would normally go into another series of something. But if I
must do color too (or vise-versa), it would seem that I should immediately
re-shoot with other film. Now that becomes counter productive, tedious
and leads to less than inspired imagery. Some studios use a separate
photographer for B & W. Bad idea! Shooting B & W invariably takes a
lot more skill and talent than color to be interesting to a discerning
eye. Color more readily looks interesting, and light plays less a role.
With two photographers, it is rare that the better photographer does
not shoot the color. Color is usually considered the MAIN camera. So
the black and white usually is relegated to an advanced amateur, or
one who thinks he is an "artiste" with minimal technical skills.
They tend to both shoot the same thing, since one is color, the other
not, and they are selling you on the idea of BOTH. Shooting the same
thing at the same time, means that they either are getting in each other's
shots, or in each other's way, as they compete with each other. You
may end up having a bunch of mush, as if it were shot by Paparazzi.
My approach is to put on more photographers to cover a larger area,
and more activities, or to be in two places of the event at the same
time. I shoot color and black and white myself by using two different
cameras, and deciding which tool makes the best statement at the time
on a moment by moment basis.
How
many pictures do you take?
I don't count, unless your budget was the main concern and we tried
to cut corners. I try to do the best that can be done, with the understanding
that afterwards you will appreciate all I have done. If budget to you
is a major issue, then we can discuss ways that I can lower my expenses,
in order to save you money.
When do we get the raw video footage?
Video is either shot to minimize the editing process, in which case
your finished tape will include 99 percent of what was shot, smoothed
out to make watching more enjoyable, and can have an opening and ending.
Or the tape is shot to allow me to make the most of all my editing ideas
later and to benefit from the editing process, in which case I might
choose to shoot a variety of interesting and varying angles, in order
to choose which ones I want to use. Raw footage is never provided in
this case, as you are hiring me to produce an awesome end product, and
should have no concern over what is not used. After all, it did not
have to be shot in the first place, and was shot, only to give me options
in the edit. For those clients who really want a surveillance tape,
my recommendation is to get a lesser edited product. But truly I always
recommend our deluxe tape for many reasons.
How
long does it take to get the video?
The turn around time is based on when we get all the materials needed
from the client. When the client has completed image selection for the
albums, (which as a parallel universe to the video, helps us fine tune
the editing) then we can start the editing on a first come first served
basis. The lesser edited tapes take less time.
What
hours is the studio open?
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 2-7pm. We are happy to make appointments
at all other times. We have very select Sundays too.
Is
Black and White really Black and White?
All black and white imagery actually is printed to have an antique "sepia"
look. I have very fine control over the exact tone, and it can be warmer,
or colder as the image warrants.
Have
you done Orthodox Jewish Events?
Have you seen this web site?
Have
you done Greek Orthodox Events?
Yes.
Have
you done Hindu, Moslem, Chinese Events?
Yes.
Are
you obtrusive?
Many comment that they did not even notice me at the event.
Do
you wear a Tuxedo?
Unless you request otherwise all my crew wear tuxedos on all projects.
How
many people do you bring?
It depends.
Do
we get the proofs?
Proofs are generally included in projects where the scope of work is
sufficient to offset all the costs associated with the project. The
proof is meant to be used in selecting the images you wish to purchase.
They are by no means an end product and it is critical that they not
be considered as such. Photographers who give proofs with small packages
usually leave a great deal to be desired, and I would advise you stay
away from them. Most would agree that a lot of mediocre proofs are not
as desirable as a good number of great and meaningful images in your
finished album and on the walls. As more and more work is done digital,
clients are getting used to the benefits of digital imagery and understand
that proofs are often different now days.
How long does it take to get the proofs?
Approximately a week.
Do
you provide proof albums?
We certainly can, but choose not to. They make proofs handling difficult,
and defeat the purpose of the proofs. Proofs are meant to be shuffled
and sorted, in the selection and ordering process. In cases of digitally
acquired imagery, the proofs might take the form of a cd, or contact
sheet with large images.
How many video cameras are used in video productions?
1,2, or more.
What kind of video equipment is used?
The best! This can get very technical, but you will be impressed.
Do
you do special effects?
Yes. But special effects alone are not what will make your tape special!
How many tapes do we get?
1, 3, or more as included in your order.
How
long is the video?
I believe the video should be a joy to watch. But it is up to the client.
Do you believe that less is more, or that more is more? Your answer
will determine whether deluxe tapes are on the longer or shorter side.
Less edited tapes will be longer even though a lot less may be shot.
That does not mean they will show more, be more interesting, or keep
the viewer's attention better. Many people who have had events, say:
"after the first year, you put the tape away and forget about it."
That is because it is long and boring! Not so with a Rabenko Movie,
or our Deluxe Video! What happens if we do not like it? By understanding
what you are looking for from the outset, I can be prepared to produce
the type of tape you will most enjoy. It is very important that you
analyze the criteria applied to your preferences. Persons who are very
critical of the movies they go to, sometimes shock me by preferring
wedding videos to look like corny, home movies, or arcade games. But
will the next generation appreciate the love, affection and warmth amongst
your friends and family at this point in your life, any more because
of such a "cheap" editing style? So lets discuss what will
thrill you, and that is what we will do.
Suppose
we do not like the tape?
In the slim chance there is a technical problem it is corrected. Our
more sophisticated projects have tremendous production values that should
easily exceed your expectations. You do have 30 days to request changes,
and if they are possible and reasonable, we will be happy to do them.
Keep in mind that considering video has THIRTY images per second, and
at least two audio tracks, lots of choices and production values are
decided constantly in the editing of your tape. There is obviously no
accounting for taste. I always say, everyone has taste, some people
have good taste. I strive to exceed expectations. Beyond an hour or
so, re-editing can always be done as a billable expense.
Is one video camera enough?
That depends on how wild and separate the activity will be and on how
important relative complete coverage might be to you. Two cameras allow
for the real time dissolve of one exciting camera angle into the other.
This is the technique used on TV for sports and other live broadcasts.
So two cameras are very nice. I've seen a lot of two camera jobs from
other studios that are pretty lifeless and miss a lot. One camera can
create the impression of many be skilled movement and editing, but to
cover more action, and to cover things in two areas, as well as to have
two different views at the same exact moment, you do need a second camera.
How
many photographers are needed?
How many pictures will you be wanting later. What might you miss in
situations where activities are concurrent. At an Orthodox Jewish wedding,
in cases where the couple will only be photographed together after the
ceremony, in order for things to progress smoothly, it really is essential
to have two photographers.
Do
you do work outside of New York?
Yes!
How
far in advance do we need to book?
The farther the better. Often, we book more than two years in advance.
How
much deposit is required?
For a standard project, probably $1000.00 More would be required for
larger projects and those involving more crews, or if I was personally
reserved perhaps.
What is the most important photograph at the event?
Always the one the photographer missed! This is why we really need to
get in sync and I stress clear communication from the start.
What
happens after we get the proofs?
As soon as possible you should select your loves, hates, and maybe's,
and then come back to me. After a brief consultation, I can arrange
the album for maximum impact and following your approval of this arrangement,
we can begin production on it. If you are limited by budgetary constraints,
or want to stick to a small starter contract, then you can specify the
images in paper work provided.
Can
you make Black and White from color photographs?
Yes, but we cannot easily make tinted or sepia from color.
Can
you make Color from Black and White?
While we can hand color, or selectively color sections like a red rose,
we obviously cannot make color from Black and White.
Do
you do colorization and selective coloring?
Yes.
Is your photography digital or conventional?
Both. Digital is an incredible part of what we do, and is not yet covered
on this site.
Do
you do digital retouching...can you put pictures together?
Yes.
What
do we have to do to hold the date?
A deposit with a signed contract.
How
are payments made?
Check, MasterCard, Visa