pasupuleti
09-25 05:08 PM
I got denied by discover credit card due to not having a green card.
They said, it is just their policy that they won't give credit cards to
people who don't have green cards.
I could't co-sign my friends student loan application as i did't have a green card. They said, i have to be Permanent legal resident to co-sign.
Though i have a mortgage now, my first mortagage application got denied on same grounds.
Apparently fannie mae guildelines stipulates that H1B(foriegn investment) needs to put 60% down to get a mortgage loan.
But most of the lenders do mortgages anyways even for the people who does't have a ssn:).
No one has ever been denied mortgage because their green card is pending, all other things (credit record, finances etc) being equal...that would constitute housing discrimintaion...
Just a thought, especially in response to those (and there are some on this forum) who feel discriminated in this country and compare their situation to that of exploited laborers in some podunk land...
They said, it is just their policy that they won't give credit cards to
people who don't have green cards.
I could't co-sign my friends student loan application as i did't have a green card. They said, i have to be Permanent legal resident to co-sign.
Though i have a mortgage now, my first mortagage application got denied on same grounds.
Apparently fannie mae guildelines stipulates that H1B(foriegn investment) needs to put 60% down to get a mortgage loan.
But most of the lenders do mortgages anyways even for the people who does't have a ssn:).
No one has ever been denied mortgage because their green card is pending, all other things (credit record, finances etc) being equal...that would constitute housing discrimintaion...
Just a thought, especially in response to those (and there are some on this forum) who feel discriminated in this country and compare their situation to that of exploited laborers in some podunk land...
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youngindia
06-08 01:27 AM
Its not abt H1-B abuse, its abt the way it was brought up. Instead of looking into his own house (USCIS and DOL) Sen.Durbin held Indian companies responsible and almost started bashing them. Little did he anticipate that they will come back in this way.
H1-B abuse is a different issue. Sen. Durbin should have looked into rulemaking part of the game than bashing players of the game.
When the US was instrumental in doing WTO negotiations during late 90's (BTW-your's truely grew up during that period witnessing this through newspaper articles - was an exact reversal of roles played by India and US then)they never realized that globalizing markets would lead to globalizing labor market also. Now, IT has become a virtual industry with a pretty much open labor market. Professionals making Rs.50000 ($1200) are competing with those making $5000 a month. US politicians made a classic judgement error in 90's. Now, protectionist measures are being brought in by the very same people who championed globalization for a decade.
The letter puts things in perspective for sen. Durbin. It seems to carry a veiled warning about backlash of these protectionist measures on the US companies doing business in India. Starting from McDonalds,subway,coke (now even Walmart) to Ford, GM, IBM, Pfizer, Merck, Novartis, Abott, J&J, JP Morgan, Bank of America and many more have huge business interests in India. The size of Indian market totals upto atleast 0.8 billion human individuals with need for housing, auto, computers, electronics, healthcare, finance, consumer products etc. Losing an inch of it can make an international co. nervous.
As far as Indian consumers go they now have options- British, German, Japanese, French and now even the Indian companies.
Durbin tried to scare a cat, unfortunately for him it turned out to be a big wild cat- aTiger.
H1-B abuse is a different issue. Sen. Durbin should have looked into rulemaking part of the game than bashing players of the game.
When the US was instrumental in doing WTO negotiations during late 90's (BTW-your's truely grew up during that period witnessing this through newspaper articles - was an exact reversal of roles played by India and US then)they never realized that globalizing markets would lead to globalizing labor market also. Now, IT has become a virtual industry with a pretty much open labor market. Professionals making Rs.50000 ($1200) are competing with those making $5000 a month. US politicians made a classic judgement error in 90's. Now, protectionist measures are being brought in by the very same people who championed globalization for a decade.
The letter puts things in perspective for sen. Durbin. It seems to carry a veiled warning about backlash of these protectionist measures on the US companies doing business in India. Starting from McDonalds,subway,coke (now even Walmart) to Ford, GM, IBM, Pfizer, Merck, Novartis, Abott, J&J, JP Morgan, Bank of America and many more have huge business interests in India. The size of Indian market totals upto atleast 0.8 billion human individuals with need for housing, auto, computers, electronics, healthcare, finance, consumer products etc. Losing an inch of it can make an international co. nervous.
As far as Indian consumers go they now have options- British, German, Japanese, French and now even the Indian companies.
Durbin tried to scare a cat, unfortunately for him it turned out to be a big wild cat- aTiger.
fide_champ
06-25 10:39 AM
The reason for rushing the application is that it could retrogress midway during the month of July. It may seem unlikely but you never know. That's one reason to file it as early as possible.
But i did not know the attorney would like to file it in June for me. I just wanted to find out if anyone's sent it early and received receipt.
But i did not know the attorney would like to file it in June for me. I just wanted to find out if anyone's sent it early and received receipt.
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eb3_nepa
04-13 08:41 PM
The following doc, 'How the senate bill becomes a law' does not mention any waiting period after President's sign the bill to become a law
http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/legprocessflowchart.pdf
My point exactly.
So then maybe the wait is only the 3 months (90 days) that Sen Sessions wishes to impose, correct?
http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/legprocessflowchart.pdf
My point exactly.
So then maybe the wait is only the 3 months (90 days) that Sen Sessions wishes to impose, correct?
more...
ssnd03
07-12 06:44 PM
The FBI name check is a bottleneck agreed. BUTTT It has NOTHING to do with the recent VB fiasco!
Some people were approved by the USCIS even WITHOUT the name checks. This is entirely a US Dept of State vs USCIS mess.
It certainly is US Dept of State vs USCIS lack of communication. But when there are so many pending I485s, the unused green card visas every year are due FBI background check delay.
Retrogression is due to more demand than supply and country quotas.
But yearly unused visas are due to FBI background check delay.
There is a clear difference.
Now the rumour that on July 1 some GCs were approved without FBI check completion maybe true. But that violation is a recent event. And there could be multitude of reasons for this violation. But it is a violation
Some people were approved by the USCIS even WITHOUT the name checks. This is entirely a US Dept of State vs USCIS mess.
It certainly is US Dept of State vs USCIS lack of communication. But when there are so many pending I485s, the unused green card visas every year are due FBI background check delay.
Retrogression is due to more demand than supply and country quotas.
But yearly unused visas are due to FBI background check delay.
There is a clear difference.
Now the rumour that on July 1 some GCs were approved without FBI check completion maybe true. But that violation is a recent event. And there could be multitude of reasons for this violation. But it is a violation
saurav_4096
04-12 09:38 AM
Gurus,
Please help me guiding in my situation:
I have been on H1B for about 2 years, I came through desi consulting company. As usual there were no bench salary and very irregular payment during project duration also, I was not paid for about 50% of time.
I had switched to another employer couple of months back, My H1B approval with new employer is still pending. recently I had got letter from Department of Labor (DOL). They are trying to investigate my previous employer if he is complying with american competitiveness and workforce improvement act(ACWIA) of 1998.
They had sent me a questioner about previous employer about salary being paid etc.
I am not sure what should I be doing in this situation:
If I reply with all facts this might effect my pending H1B status for new employer.
If I write in a way that thing were as per LC then I am lieing, which I am not comfortable with.
Third Option could be that I do not respond at all
[They had mentioned that I am NOT required to respond.]
I am seeking help from experts and forum members, what should be I doing in this situation so that my H1B transfer do not get jeopradasided.
Thanks
Saurav
Please help me guiding in my situation:
I have been on H1B for about 2 years, I came through desi consulting company. As usual there were no bench salary and very irregular payment during project duration also, I was not paid for about 50% of time.
I had switched to another employer couple of months back, My H1B approval with new employer is still pending. recently I had got letter from Department of Labor (DOL). They are trying to investigate my previous employer if he is complying with american competitiveness and workforce improvement act(ACWIA) of 1998.
They had sent me a questioner about previous employer about salary being paid etc.
I am not sure what should I be doing in this situation:
If I reply with all facts this might effect my pending H1B status for new employer.
If I write in a way that thing were as per LC then I am lieing, which I am not comfortable with.
Third Option could be that I do not respond at all
[They had mentioned that I am NOT required to respond.]
I am seeking help from experts and forum members, what should be I doing in this situation so that my H1B transfer do not get jeopradasided.
Thanks
Saurav
more...
hoolahoous
03-18 11:20 PM
if H1b withdrawal is mandated then why do most of the employer's do not do it ?
shouldn't it put them in a legal situation ?
here is what I found on one of the murthy's posts
According to Department of Labor (DOL) regulations, an employer must continue to pay the H1B worker until there is a �bona fide� termination of the employment relationship. It is not clear exactly what constitutes a �bona fide termination,� but one viewpoint is that termination occurs on the day the employer notifies the H1B employee that the position has been terminated and all obligations for payment of wages terminate on the date of employment termination. The other viewpoint is that a termination only occurs when the H1B employer notifies the INS of the termination, the H1B petition is cancelled and the employer complies with the return airfare obligation for the employee. Please note that INS does not expressly spell out the options and therefore this is an unclear area of immigration law. As it can take several months for the INS to act on a revocation request, employers generally do not continue to pay wages until INS takes action. The employer usually notifies the employee of the termination date and discontinues any salary or other payments at that time. Thereafter, they notify INS.
shouldn't it put them in a legal situation ?
here is what I found on one of the murthy's posts
According to Department of Labor (DOL) regulations, an employer must continue to pay the H1B worker until there is a �bona fide� termination of the employment relationship. It is not clear exactly what constitutes a �bona fide termination,� but one viewpoint is that termination occurs on the day the employer notifies the H1B employee that the position has been terminated and all obligations for payment of wages terminate on the date of employment termination. The other viewpoint is that a termination only occurs when the H1B employer notifies the INS of the termination, the H1B petition is cancelled and the employer complies with the return airfare obligation for the employee. Please note that INS does not expressly spell out the options and therefore this is an unclear area of immigration law. As it can take several months for the INS to act on a revocation request, employers generally do not continue to pay wages until INS takes action. The employer usually notifies the employee of the termination date and discontinues any salary or other payments at that time. Thereafter, they notify INS.
2010 What do you think of Lily#39;s
yabadaba
06-22 09:38 AM
is a TB skin test neccessary even if you tell the doc you've had a history of positive TB tests? do i have to prove i've had a history of postive TB test for the doctor to remark that on i-693..or can he just remark that without evidence and go on my word
thanks
u need evidence. in writing.
thanks
u need evidence. in writing.
more...
thomachan72
07-20 03:32 PM
Hi John, thanks for bringing this to the attention of our members. Lets hope everybody finds time to call Sen Cornyn to thank him for introducing this bill. Another thing I wanted to say is that, our members are all busy with 485 filing and stuff so we can expect a response only after the 17th of August when the excitement of 485 filing is over. Even though it was defeated it doesn't seem to be a very hated idea by the majority since 5 more votes would have made it safe. So there still seems to be a positive factor lingering around for us the "legal immigrants". Hope we are able to capitalize on it soon. IV is infact becomming stronger and more influential thanks to the dedicated efforts of the leader and the members. Pls keep up the spirit for all of us. We need vigilant people like you to do the work to spot opportunities and failures for the community. Thanks.
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dionysus
01-16 07:53 PM
Earlier, INS used to be very lenient with H1B transfer without current paystubs. I know of cases where people got H1 transfered without having paystubs for more than a year!
However, seems like of late CIS has woken up to the shady practices of H1 consultant body shops, and is aware of the fact that many consultants are living in this country without working and without paystubs. So they are becoming more stringent with regards to paystub evidence.
I also have a feeling that most such requests are coming from Vermont service center where many H1 petitions are hanging.
To answer your question, in the absence of any paystubs, prepare a nice letter to CIS explaining the situation, and then leave it to your destiny. US immigration processes like H1 and GC always had an element of chance in it. It is always helpful to be ready for any eventuality in such a dicey game.
However, seems like of late CIS has woken up to the shady practices of H1 consultant body shops, and is aware of the fact that many consultants are living in this country without working and without paystubs. So they are becoming more stringent with regards to paystub evidence.
I also have a feeling that most such requests are coming from Vermont service center where many H1 petitions are hanging.
To answer your question, in the absence of any paystubs, prepare a nice letter to CIS explaining the situation, and then leave it to your destiny. US immigration processes like H1 and GC always had an element of chance in it. It is always helpful to be ready for any eventuality in such a dicey game.
more...
ilikekilo
04-13 06:47 PM
Hello All,
I came across this site while researching for *urgent* solutions or options that my friend needs to pursue or has.
These are my friend's details --
EB3 -- India.
I140 approved in July 2007.
485 filed in July 2007.
MS in Engg from USA.
MBA in Finance from top ten school in USA.
Has applied for couple of patents in tech field.
Author of few papers in tech field.
My friend worked for his green card petitioning employer for 7 years in a technical position on H1 visa. He had to leave this job under some unfavorable circumstances around a month back. He has now taken a job as Marketing Manager for a big firm and is using his EAD. Two weeks back he has received an RFE on his 485 application. (Very curious and bad timing indeed too). This RFE needs a Employment Verification Letter. The current position that my friend works as does not match the position description on his labor petition. The RFE reply needs to be sent in within next 2 weeks.
What are his options to reply to the RFE? One of the lawyers that was consulted said that since Green Card is for a future position, he needs to get a legit letter from a future employer that the employer is willing to hire my friend after he gets his green card.
Also suggested were EB2-NIW and self-employment options.
What would you suggest -- best course of action? Would you know anybody who has gone through a similar situation. Any fallback options that my friend needs to evaluate?
I really appreciate all your replies. Pl treat this as very urgent.
Thanks.
my 2 cents
probably long shot, but can he ask his existing employer to give a EVL based on his old labor, not asking you to lie or whatever, howwever, U r suggesting to USCIS that besides the technical job he does which is mentioned in the EVL he also "wears a hat of MMgr" or whatever...hope it makes sense...
I came across this site while researching for *urgent* solutions or options that my friend needs to pursue or has.
These are my friend's details --
EB3 -- India.
I140 approved in July 2007.
485 filed in July 2007.
MS in Engg from USA.
MBA in Finance from top ten school in USA.
Has applied for couple of patents in tech field.
Author of few papers in tech field.
My friend worked for his green card petitioning employer for 7 years in a technical position on H1 visa. He had to leave this job under some unfavorable circumstances around a month back. He has now taken a job as Marketing Manager for a big firm and is using his EAD. Two weeks back he has received an RFE on his 485 application. (Very curious and bad timing indeed too). This RFE needs a Employment Verification Letter. The current position that my friend works as does not match the position description on his labor petition. The RFE reply needs to be sent in within next 2 weeks.
What are his options to reply to the RFE? One of the lawyers that was consulted said that since Green Card is for a future position, he needs to get a legit letter from a future employer that the employer is willing to hire my friend after he gets his green card.
Also suggested were EB2-NIW and self-employment options.
What would you suggest -- best course of action? Would you know anybody who has gone through a similar situation. Any fallback options that my friend needs to evaluate?
I really appreciate all your replies. Pl treat this as very urgent.
Thanks.
my 2 cents
probably long shot, but can he ask his existing employer to give a EVL based on his old labor, not asking you to lie or whatever, howwever, U r suggesting to USCIS that besides the technical job he does which is mentioned in the EVL he also "wears a hat of MMgr" or whatever...hope it makes sense...
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Berkeleybee
05-17 01:08 PM
All,
As we wait for the Senate debate to move along, I know there is a great deal of restlessness and a desire to have something, anything happen. A need for reassurance that something will happen fast, or that provision X will be signed into law by ZZZ date.
I am starting this thread for such questions. Otherwise we have an ever proliferating set of threads with very specific questions like "can we have provision X become its own bill and have it signed by next Friday so I can go home and stop worrying?":)
I will move such posts in to this thread.
We will do our best to answer these questions. Hang in there, keep heart.
best,
Berkeleybee
As we wait for the Senate debate to move along, I know there is a great deal of restlessness and a desire to have something, anything happen. A need for reassurance that something will happen fast, or that provision X will be signed into law by ZZZ date.
I am starting this thread for such questions. Otherwise we have an ever proliferating set of threads with very specific questions like "can we have provision X become its own bill and have it signed by next Friday so I can go home and stop worrying?":)
I will move such posts in to this thread.
We will do our best to answer these questions. Hang in there, keep heart.
best,
Berkeleybee
more...
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anai
07-19 08:03 AM
If you are sponsoring your spouse, you need to submit an affidavit of support. It is I-134. This forms needs for you to submit bank statements, tax returns etc. with it.
This is incorrect.
The easiest way to address such questions is to take a few minutes to read the instructions to the form I-485 (which is available on the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-485.pdf). An affidavit of support is needed in the EB context, only if the applicant's family owns 5% percent or more of the sponsoring employer.
Sending tax forms, W-2, bank statements, etc. is part of the overdocumentation approach. But note that these are not required.
This question has been asked and answered many times. So please (a) search the forums before opening new threads and (b) read the instructions to the form.
Also, if any of the answers on this thread were useful, consider contributing to IV.
This is incorrect.
The easiest way to address such questions is to take a few minutes to read the instructions to the form I-485 (which is available on the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-485.pdf). An affidavit of support is needed in the EB context, only if the applicant's family owns 5% percent or more of the sponsoring employer.
Sending tax forms, W-2, bank statements, etc. is part of the overdocumentation approach. But note that these are not required.
This question has been asked and answered many times. So please (a) search the forums before opening new threads and (b) read the instructions to the form.
Also, if any of the answers on this thread were useful, consider contributing to IV.
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mayhemt
04-29 08:16 PM
If only their future was clear... they would have a tleast bought a house, if not start a business.
150 000 * 190 000 = 28 500 000 - Assuming 190K is median home price.
28.5 billion $ went unused.
This is just the real estate - not even counting other in-direct purchases, cars, furniture, other related services.
150 000 * 100 000 * (6%) = 900 000 000 : Assuming 100K is their annual salary, US lost earning 900 million $ in SS contributions.
May be we should show a factor to US Govt, each unused visa equals to XX unused economy dollars.
Homes purchases lost : 28 Billion
Social Security unearned: 900 Million
Effect of guy yelling "Tuk Yer Job": Priceless.
(If you watch South Park, you would understand the above...)
150 000 * 190 000 = 28 500 000 - Assuming 190K is median home price.
28.5 billion $ went unused.
This is just the real estate - not even counting other in-direct purchases, cars, furniture, other related services.
150 000 * 100 000 * (6%) = 900 000 000 : Assuming 100K is their annual salary, US lost earning 900 million $ in SS contributions.
May be we should show a factor to US Govt, each unused visa equals to XX unused economy dollars.
Homes purchases lost : 28 Billion
Social Security unearned: 900 Million
Effect of guy yelling "Tuk Yer Job": Priceless.
(If you watch South Park, you would understand the above...)
more...
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GotGC??
05-15 01:28 PM
Thanks...is your 140 in NSC or TSC ?
My case is also similar and I decided to go with EB2
My EB3 PD is Nov 2002. I got promotion this year and same company applied for my EB2 labor via Perm and got approved with in couple of months.
My attorney already filed my 485 application concurrently while applying for EB2 I-140 PD (PP) last month. I got an RFE(edu: 3 year Engineering degree). My EB2 I-140 is approved yesterday after receiving the RFE response. It's better to utilize the EB2 category if you can, in case if they decide to retrogress again, it's likely that you will get the GC soon with EB2 PD than EB3 PD.
My case is also similar and I decided to go with EB2
My EB3 PD is Nov 2002. I got promotion this year and same company applied for my EB2 labor via Perm and got approved with in couple of months.
My attorney already filed my 485 application concurrently while applying for EB2 I-140 PD (PP) last month. I got an RFE(edu: 3 year Engineering degree). My EB2 I-140 is approved yesterday after receiving the RFE response. It's better to utilize the EB2 category if you can, in case if they decide to retrogress again, it's likely that you will get the GC soon with EB2 PD than EB3 PD.
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iptel
02-14 01:17 PM
Chapter 2: Skills for the U.S. Workforce.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/ch2-erp06.pdf
covers great deal of importance of H1B and Green Card. May be we can consider it to be part of our presentation.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/ch2-erp06.pdf
covers great deal of importance of H1B and Green Card. May be we can consider it to be part of our presentation.
more...
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webm
04-21 02:24 PM
I wanted to inform the community that our GC is finally approved... I just checked my email hoping against hope that I might see some good news and good news is what I saw...
This is a tremendous relief to us.
They have approved and ordered card production to myself and my spouse. But looks like they have not approved our son's GC. Hope they don't delay that last piece of processing any longer.
Good luck to everybody else and hope you all the best.
Congrats to you!! hopeful08
This is a tremendous relief to us.
They have approved and ordered card production to myself and my spouse. But looks like they have not approved our son's GC. Hope they don't delay that last piece of processing any longer.
Good luck to everybody else and hope you all the best.
Congrats to you!! hopeful08
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mirage41
06-13 05:43 PM
Going through a bill, usually in subcommittee, section by section, revising language, amending sections etc and reach a consensus
Does that mean the bills could be changed further?
Does that mean the bills could be changed further?
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rkm
05-14 07:29 PM
It was a quite surprise to me. Almost more than a year EB3 did not move for more than a month all of a sudden it moved 2 years..
Appu
04-17 04:01 PM
Sign this petition on Sen Kennedy's website in support of immigration reform:
http://www.tedkennedy.com/fightforfairness
It may help...
http://www.tedkennedy.com/fightforfairness
It may help...
gparr
November 25th, 2005, 04:38 PM
My primary tip is patience. When the wind is blowing, even slightly, if you're patient you will start to get in tune with the wind and be able to pick out the calm moments that always occur. You just have to be ready and then get off as many shots as possible during that calm moment. I shoot as many of my flower shots as I can very early or very late in the day. By very early, I mean at or just after sunrise. The wind is usually calm for a short while until the sun starts to heat the admosphere. I've had considerable success shooting in the very soft light at or after sunset, when the wind also calms. Long shutter speeds though. Unfortunately, too many blooms aren't open until the sun is higher in the sky and you have to resort to patience.
I've also had great success with a trick Don Bevis shared. You can get thin bamboo sticks in bundles for just a couple of dollars at your local nursery. Get the longer ones. I always carry two of them with me and stick them in the ground so that they apply slight pressure to the plant stem. This cuts down considerably on the movement. Don't know where Don learned the trick, but it works.
Some use a tool called a Plamp. See it here (http://www.naturephotographers.net/gs/gswimplamp.html) I've never used one, though have been tempted. The fear I have is that any clamping device will damage the plant. I shoot a lot in the gardens of several neighbors and at the Chicago Botanic Garden and make it a point to never leave any trace of my having been there. In other words, no footprints in the flower beds, no damaged plants, nothing. Don's trick works so well because it steadies the plant without causing any damage. It doesn't always work, but it does so often enough that it's worth hauling the sticks around.
I've also read several threads on other sites where people describe using "tents" to both diffuse the light and to stop the wind. I don't have any links for solid techniques, but will try to find some. It's tempting, though yet another piece of gear to carry.
These days I make heavy use of my 5-in-1 disk for diffusion and reflection. I have the 22-in. Photoflex Multidisc (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=breadCrumb&A=search&Q=&ci=6196), which I like a lot. It's excellent for a lot of light control purposes and sometimes serves as a good wind block. There are cheaper ones, but Kevin Sadler talked me into spending more money to get a quality product and I haven't regretted it.
When all else fails, I resort to flash to get the shot. I greatly dislike using flash and only use it when I want a shot and know that it's get it now or never. If I can come back and get the shot at a calmer time without flash, I will. I do use flash on occasion if I feel that the shot needs a little spark of light, but generally not. Flash is always used on a remote cord and diffused in some way, either with the wide-angle diffuser that's built into it, or by shooting through or bouncing it off of my multidisc.
As for shooting technique, a tripod is a must. I have two, but the one I use for flower shots allows me to splay the legs out and get the camera very low and/or allows me to reverse the column (I bought a short column to replace the one that came with the tripod) and hang the camera upside down. I use a ball head with a quick release. I also almost always use a remote release and frequently use mirror lock up. It's amazing how many images I've ruined because I moved the camera by pushing the shutter button or vibration from the mirror cause the slightest blur.
But above all, getting flower shots just requires a lot of patience. Hope all of this rambling helps.
Gary
I've also had great success with a trick Don Bevis shared. You can get thin bamboo sticks in bundles for just a couple of dollars at your local nursery. Get the longer ones. I always carry two of them with me and stick them in the ground so that they apply slight pressure to the plant stem. This cuts down considerably on the movement. Don't know where Don learned the trick, but it works.
Some use a tool called a Plamp. See it here (http://www.naturephotographers.net/gs/gswimplamp.html) I've never used one, though have been tempted. The fear I have is that any clamping device will damage the plant. I shoot a lot in the gardens of several neighbors and at the Chicago Botanic Garden and make it a point to never leave any trace of my having been there. In other words, no footprints in the flower beds, no damaged plants, nothing. Don's trick works so well because it steadies the plant without causing any damage. It doesn't always work, but it does so often enough that it's worth hauling the sticks around.
I've also read several threads on other sites where people describe using "tents" to both diffuse the light and to stop the wind. I don't have any links for solid techniques, but will try to find some. It's tempting, though yet another piece of gear to carry.
These days I make heavy use of my 5-in-1 disk for diffusion and reflection. I have the 22-in. Photoflex Multidisc (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=breadCrumb&A=search&Q=&ci=6196), which I like a lot. It's excellent for a lot of light control purposes and sometimes serves as a good wind block. There are cheaper ones, but Kevin Sadler talked me into spending more money to get a quality product and I haven't regretted it.
When all else fails, I resort to flash to get the shot. I greatly dislike using flash and only use it when I want a shot and know that it's get it now or never. If I can come back and get the shot at a calmer time without flash, I will. I do use flash on occasion if I feel that the shot needs a little spark of light, but generally not. Flash is always used on a remote cord and diffused in some way, either with the wide-angle diffuser that's built into it, or by shooting through or bouncing it off of my multidisc.
As for shooting technique, a tripod is a must. I have two, but the one I use for flower shots allows me to splay the legs out and get the camera very low and/or allows me to reverse the column (I bought a short column to replace the one that came with the tripod) and hang the camera upside down. I use a ball head with a quick release. I also almost always use a remote release and frequently use mirror lock up. It's amazing how many images I've ruined because I moved the camera by pushing the shutter button or vibration from the mirror cause the slightest blur.
But above all, getting flower shots just requires a lot of patience. Hope all of this rambling helps.
Gary
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