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I take great pride in my cave photography and bring that desire to take
the best photographs possible to each and every job I do. I photograph
even the most barren and worn out caves in such a way as to enhance their
beauty and sense of mystery.
If you are interested in having your own cave photographed, please review
the following terms on how I work for you. Of course any questions you
have are best answered by calling me or e-mailing me at pjcaver@gwi.net.
I am at your service as a professional cave photography specialist.
Commercial Cave Clients:
Meramec Caverns, Missouri
Forbidden Caverns, Tennessee
Marengo Cave, Indiana
Diamond Caverns, Kentucky
Seneca Caverns, Ohio
Howe Caverns, New York
Dixie Caverns, Virginia
Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico
I have been specializing in cave photography since I bought my first real
camera in 1969. As a caver, I was enthralled by the beauty of the underground
world and wanted a way in which to bring that beauty back to the surface
for the rest of the world to see. Cave photography seemed to be the best
way in which to do that. Since those modest beginnings, I've made a second
career out of my passion for photographing caves.
The photography I've been doing for the past 30 plus years has been in
the toughest of conditions in wild caves. There have been no paved walkways
or electric lights to work with. In these conditions, I've learned how
to best compose and light the caves to enhance their natural beauty. This
gives me a unique perspective that regular commercial photographers don't
have when photographing in caves. As such, my images will show your cave
in a perspective that is new, unique and exciting.
In recent years, I've photographed for National Geographic Television,
The Learning Channel, the Anyplace Wild public television series and coordinated
a cave filming project for NOVA, the public television program. My work
has been displayed at the Department of Interior Museum in Washington,
DC, Carlsbad Caverns National Park and The American Cave Museum. I have
photographed in numerous commercial caves around the country as well.
One of my photographs now hangs in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
in Washington, DC.
To me, cave photography is not merely "another job" in a series of photo
shoots. It is my true passion in life and I bring this passion with me
to any of the commercial cave photo shoots that I do. You can be assured
of photos of the highest quality with a new and different perspective
for your cave.
Peter Jones
HOW I WORK
When we come to an agreement about my photographing your cave for you,
we make arrangements for the best time for me to come do the shoot at
your convenience. Depending on your needs and the time of year, I can
shoot during the day when your cave is open or in the evening after your
customers have left. As models are an integral part of many cave photographs,
I may ask you to make arrangements to provide them. I will also need at
least one helper for carrying equipment and setting up photographs. You
can provide this or I will make arrangements for one myself.
I usually begin the shoot by taking a walk through of the entire cave
to get an overall feel for what is there. If you have specific areas or
scenes you would like photographed, that would be the best time to bring
those needs to my attention. After that first walk through, I sometimes
do a second trip through to spend a bit more time thinking about individual
photo scenes.
Before the shoot begins, I make plans on which areas to shoot in and in
what order. If children are to be used as models in the photos, I try
to plan those photos for early in the session. This prevents boredom and
running late into the night when children become tired and cranky. Also
when possible, I try to shoot all scenes with models in grouped time frame.
Scenes in which models are not needed are reserved for later in the session,
thus making the best use of models' time. Models should come dressed in
brightly colored clothes, the warmer colors of red, yellow and the like
are preferable. They should avoid dark colors such as brown or black.
Models should be attractive and neatly dressed and groomed.
A good cave photograph takes a minimum of half an hour to set up and shoot,
but it frequently takes longer. The scene must be composed, lights set
up and models put in place. I then shoot a digital image of the scene
to determine if the shot will work. Lighting and model placement adjustments
are made if necessary and a second digital image is shot to make sure
the scene is right. Once final adjustments are made, I take multiple shots
at different exposure settings using my digital camera to make sure that
the scene is right. This takes some extra time, but the results are clearly
worth the time spent.
A cave shoot usually takes 1 - 3 days to complete depending on the size
and complexity of the cave. I usually average about 10 - 12 different
scenes shot per day. On the whole, it is better for me to determine and
work on those shots which I deem to be best and concentrate on doing them
right. Better to have ten really great shots than 15 or more mediocre
ones at the end of the day.
At the end of the shoot, I begin the digital editing of the images I've
taken. Being able to digitally manipulate the images allows me to make
improvements where needed. ALL digital images require a certain amount
of processing to make them usable. It frequently requires as much time
to process them as it does to take the images. Once processed, I send
you a CD of all the finished images. The images will be saved in different
file sizes: TIFF images are the largest files and are suitable for making
prints up to about 11" x 17" or smaller for your brochures.
You will also receive JPEG versions of the same images that are good for
posting on websites. You may then review the images to determine which
images you want.
I take great pride in my photography and want to be sure that you are
completely satisfied with the work I do for you. If you decide that you
do not like any of the slides or digitals I have taken, there is no cost
to you. You are not required to buy any images if you do not like them.
If you do like the photography I've done for you, here is how I charge
for my work: Each image you buy (one image is defined as all the exposures
of a single photo scene) is $200.You may use it in any and all ways you
desire for as long as you want: postcards, brochures, posters, websites,
as reproduced slide sets, etc. The only rights I retain as author of the
image is for my own portfolio use, for entry in the NSS Photo Salon, slide
presentations and other uses for which I would get permission from you.
Should you decide to buy out the entire catalog of images, I charge $500
per day for the shoot time. If the entire shoot lasts two days, maximum
cost is $1,000 for the whole catalog. If only one day, the catalog would
be $500. There is no charge for transportation, food, or lodging expenses.
There is no charge for the processing time either. The per day shoot fee
is inclusive of all expenses.
Should
you be interested in my services, please contact
me and we can discuss your needs. Thank you!
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