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Priceless photos
Summary: Priceless photos! Using your digital camera to capture the priceless photos is only half of the job. Choosing the right photo for reprints and enlargements is key. Get a headstart on the process with these practical tips.
A recent trip to the neighborhood grocery was
enlightening. A customer stood at the computerized photo reprint kiosk
looking for just the right photo of his child to be enlarged as a present for his
mother.
Image after image whizzed by on the video
display. But the customer was unsure about expressions, lighting and
other details about the process. He was growing impatient, so I
aproached him with what we at PORTRAITSECRETS have found is a better
option.
Be prepared
We suggested that the proud parent take his
camera memory card to his local camera store or even the photofinisher
in the supermarket and get a set of 4-inch x 6-inch prints
made. At minimal expense he would have a full set of photos from
his portrait session that included a weekend getaway with the family and a recent birthday party.
After the set of prints was complete we suggested he
take a little time to look at the photos carefully and choose two
or three for
possible enlargement. Each photo print contained identifying
information on
the back that could easily be traced to the file name on the memory
card. That would assist in finding the origianl files when he came back
to the store to use the kiosk to make prints.
Editing made simple
For the everyday photographer this process is called
editing, and is second nature. For a casual photographer this
process can be overwhelming. However, this process of choosing a photo
for enlargement from a smaller subset of photos is more managable.
The set of photos at the right are an example of how
the editing process works.
The index print (background) is a fine record of
what was shot and offers context if your are a fanatic about filing
photos. It is not a good tool for making an edit.
The smaller prints at
the top were among the choices made in an edit, along with the larger
closeup of a young girl near a palm tree at the beach.
The larger photo was chosen for enlargement and makes a
great choice for a variety of reasons. It is great for enlargement
because it is clearly about the subject and the setting becomes
incidental. The expression, her hair and pose is perfect.
Quality issues
Quality in the enlargement will be greater
because nearly all of the file's information will be used when a print
is made. Enlarging from a portion of what was included in the original
file is like using the digital zoom feature on a camera. It is only
magnifying a small number of pixels resulting in exponential loss of
quality.
Extra prints, extra expense
It can be argued that the extra prints made at some expense are wasted prints. We at PORTRAITSECRETS don't believe that to be true. There are several great uses for the extra prints.
Suddenly, you have photos for your desk or
workspace. You can send a print or two to your friends and family. You
can save a few prints for a scrapbook that you plan to begin in your
leisure time. Then again, you can put them in a shoebox or drawer and
comb through them later. We promise that in a year or two those extra
prints will bring a tear or two as you leaf through the photos of times
gone by.
A final thought
At PORTRAITSECRETS there
is just such a drawer that we visit occasionally. When we're looking
for
extra storage space or planning to "get rid of the clutter" we find
ourselves digging out photos and walking down memory lane, checking out
family and friends from the past. Our past. That's when we
realize that all of those "extra prints" were worth every penny.
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Good photographs begin with good light. In the digital photography world, the quality of light corresponds to the quality of the photograph. The dramatic light of the early morning and late afternoon can raise the quality of your images. In poorly lit situations use supplemental lighting from the camera's flash in the fill-flash mode.
• more tips & tricks
Adobe's Photoshop is very expensive at nearly $700, Is it worth it?
Dear PS,
Adobe's Photoshop is very expensive at nearly $700, Is it worth it?
On the cheap in Oregon
Dear On the cheap,
Yes! If you plan to take creative steps in dealing with your images, photoshop and the lastest Creative Suite 2 are simply the best and most efficients image handling programs available. Is it "worth it" to you, that depends on what you hope to achieve with your images. I would suggest the Elements version of photoshop as an entry level position. Better yet, check a local computer store or even the Apple Store an invest a little time in attending a couple of their tutorial classes for a "test drive" of the program. Then you'll be better informed before you spend your money.
Thanks for your question,
Michael at PS
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 Michael E. Keating is an award winning portrait photographer...
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