San Francisco-based photographer specializing in corporate functions, special events and concerts
 
 

Practice with and test equipment first

There's always some new piece of equipment or new software plug-in we want or must have. In a perfect world, equipment arrives well before the day of the shoot so that we can test it out. We don't however live in a perfect world.

On occasion I've found myself torn between a) pulling an all-nighter to perfect set up technique with new light stands and reflectors or b) "winging it" at the shoot. So far I've mostly resisted the temptation to "wing it-" even when I'm adding back up/redundant equipment to my kit. It's too easy for us to become complacent and think we can work our magic with a new piece of equipment immediately. If we're lucky - that's the case. If we're unlucky, we don't have images from an event. When earlier this year, I decided to "wing it" with a new portable Wolverine media drive, Murphy's Law reigned supreme. I was unable to backup my flash cards on-site. Luckily I had plenty of flash cards and didn't need to reuse them, and I was able to buy more/format them on the way to another shoot.

A confident, poised and professional demeanor keeps everyone relaxed and allows you to deliver your best. Once you've gotten "the money shots," there are almost always opportunities for you to pull out the new equipment and take it for a test drive (just be sure to have a second camera body ready to go in case there's unplanned action that you want to be sure you've captured).

A co-worker once told me about a bumper sticker he'd seen and worked towards as a personal goal: "Of course I don't look busy - I did it right the first time!" When I heard that I immediately thought about how planning is key to getting it right the first time. My take on the bumper sticker was: "Of course it looks easy - I practiced when you weren't looking." More eloquently spoken by Colin Powell, "A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work."

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

posted by Eden | 12:01 AM | 0 comments links to this post

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Image Metadata Reveals Some Details

If you've ever viewed images in Adobe Bridge you may have seen a Metadata panel (some online photo sites display this information as well). There's a section in Adobe Bridge labeled "Camera Details (EXIF)" which identifies equipment and camera settings used to take the image. This is great information when you're learning photography and when you're attempting to recreate an image. However, the information only tells part of the story. Some very important details that are missing (that you might want to keep track of) are:
  • Filters

  • Portion of image used for spot metering

  • Flash settings

  • Modification(s) to flash units

  • Presence/location of reflectors or diffusers


A couple of nights ago I was choosing images that were representative of my style to upload to a portfolio for a class I'm taking. As I was reviewing images, there were differences between photos shot in the same location only seconds apart (different Canon 30D body but identical set up). Luckily I was able to quickly scan keywords that I'd added to see what was causing the difference - choice of filters. Both images were shot outside in the late afternoon. One image was taken with a lens that used a Skylight filter in addition to the basic Hoya Pro1 Digital Filter Protectors I use on all my lenses. The only reason I could determine why the two images were different was because I had added a keyword category with the name of the filters used. [When I upgraded to Canon's "L" series of lenses, I also upgraded and expanded my set of filters for the lenses. As each filter has different characteristics, I wanted to be able to track and compare performance. Now, after I upload my RAW images I add keywords that identify which filter(s) was used.]

How do you annotate your shots? Do you keep a separate notebook (I used to do that when I shot film)? Do you add keywords to your images? Or do you put the shot annotations in your description?

Friday, June 06, 2008

posted by Eden | 12:01 AM | 0 comments links to this post

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Caring for Your Photo CD/DVDs

Many people think CD/DVDs are indestructible. As with anything, you need to take what you hear and read with a grain of salt. Some sites claim CD/DVDs should have a data life of up to at least 75 years if handled properly. Some say 100. Others say 200.

Type of media - archival versus consumer - accounts for some of the variance in data life. Not all of these estimates "include the effect of the storage container ... [and] instead assume that the case is inert." Ask your photographer what type of media they're using for your CD/DVD and if the sleeve or case is safe for long-term storage. Also check to see if the insert is acid- and lignin-free.

"Assuming a good initial recording and proper care, consumer grade media can last from one to five years. Professional or industrial-grade media can last from five to 75 years. True archival-grade media, often with a reflective layer of gold, can last 75 to 200 years [Peterson]." Knowing what type of media you're starting with, allows you to backup your memories for safekeeping.

Here are some tips for how to protect your memories:

Do
  1. Label a CD/DVD using a CD/DVD safe pen.

  2. Store CD/DVD in Polypropylene jewel cases, vertically - not flat. ("[T]he little clip in the middle of the jewel case actually holds the CD/DVD away from both sides of the case so that the recording surface only contacts air. [Peterson]")

  3. Store out of direct light.

  4. Handle CD/DVD by the edges.

  5. Wipe them off periodically with a clean, soft, lint free, dry cloth - wipe in a straight line from the center of the CD/DVD toward the outer edge.

  6. Keep dirt, fingerprints, smudges, etc. from the CD/DVD. Use CD/DVD cleaning detergent to remove stubborn dirt or material.


Don't
  1. Touch the surface of a CD/DVD.

  2. Handle CD/DVD with dirty fingers.

  3. Bend CD/DVD.

  4. Label a CD/DVD using a pen that contains solvents (i.e. permanent markers), a pencil, or a ballpoint pen.

  5. Label a CD/DVD with an adhesive label. "According to 3M, an adhesive label may react with the CD/DVD [Dutton]."

  6. Peel off or reposition a label. "According to 3M, ... removing the label ... can damage the information layer of the CD/DVD by allowing contaminants to penetrate the protective coating [Dutton]."

  7. Store CD/DVD in a plastic sleeve. (If you're not sure if your sleeves are acid-free, check the box; if there's a warning, don't use them for storage. TYVEK® envelopes can be used.).

  8. Wipe CD/DVD in a circular direction.


Reference Sites:

Saturday, May 17, 2008

posted by Eden | 12:42 PM | 0 comments links to this post

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