Calling all Mumsnet photographers

[Marlipan]

I am seriously thinking of a career change and am researching setting up as a photographer. (Mainly portraits, mums and babies, etc.)Is there anyone out there who has already taken this step and would be willing to give any advice? (Apart from 'Don't do it!'perhaps)
Thanks

Going back to Photoshop talk, I read something recently that implied that tweaking levels or curves has the same effect in some respects, but curves offers more control over the lightness or darkness of the midrange tones. Adjusting the position at the top or bottom point of the line in curves has much the same effect as the sliders in levels. Don't know if this is right.
I have also been trying to convert to b and w with the channel mixer tool (or adjustment layer - channel mixer) Tick the box for monochrome and then adjust the relative levels of R, G and B until you like the overall effect. They say to try to keep total value to 100 to maintain overall brightness, but I don't. (My Photoshop approach is very haphazard.)
I also have a trial disc somewhere with a B&W converter plug-in trial, but haven't had time to install it.
Do you just send JPEGs to Bonusprint? Another thing I need to get to grips with but is just too boring is the different files, image sizes and compression options...

marliplan

I'm just a happy amateur so can't help out on the professional side of things. But recently I've moved and joined the local photographic society. It's been great and already I have learnt a lot - they have a session a week, and about once a month they have a practical session, which have included portraits, lighting, macro stuff and photoshop techniques.

I don't manage to go every week but I try to go at least once a month and there are always lots of people there that are willing to share their experience or techniques. They also have kit that they hire out, such as lights, backgrounds and a monitor calibrator. So good to try out different lights and backgrounds, and very handy for something like the calibrator that you are not going to want to use very often.

Think it is worth investigating the club though - I also belonged to one where I lived previously and they only had one meeting a month, and never had a practical, so it is worth hunting around for an active club where you can reap the benefits!

good luck

Thanks Pollydoodle. Your club sounds great. I did Google local clubs but didn't take it any further. I felt a bit shy about it as some of the ones I saw looked a bit highpowered. I'll definitely give it a go now though - I can always leave if I don't like it

Message for Jules99 if she's around: Just seen that Photobox seem to be offering 30% off their canvas prints at the moment. Think the offer is for everyone, not just members.