Photo of the Week – June 30, 2008

This senior portrait comes to us courtesy of White O’Connell Photography.

Still Swooning for Silver

Silver halide paper, that is. Sure, we’ve added lots of press-printed items over the last few years but good old Kodak Endura is still a mainstay. Imaging Info has a really interesting article over on their site about why photo paper is still the industry standard in the digital age and what the future might hold. You can read the entire article here, and if you’re lucky you might also see an extremely well-designed ad for a certain photo lab.

Photo of the Week – June 23, 2008

This dramatic photo is courtesy of David De Dios of Pheonix, AZ.

ATTN APPLE USERS

We have uncovered an issue with the upgrade installs when using the shortcuts from 10.4. It appears that the saved desktop shortcuts do not appear to be linked properly to the older Java cache from 10.4, and clicking them does not start anything. However, we were able to start LabLink using the Java cache window, where the launch of the saved application was treated as a fresh start – downloading the LabLink files and then running as normal. This can be found by going into Finder, selecting Applications, then Utilities, then Java, and opening the Java Web Start app.

Using the Java Web Start to launch LabLink appeared to re-link the Java cache, as the old shortcuts worked again after the application had been run once from the cache window. We will continue to test the LabLink Client in OS X 10.5 to look for any other issues.

Keeping your cards safe!

With the hustle and bustle of an event, it’s easy to forget if you have filled up a card or not, if they are in the camera bag, a suit jacket or your pant pockets.  I have been looking for a solution for keeping my cards in order, as well as protecting them from the elements, be it water, dust or just getting banged around. While shmying around a local camera shop last week I found a card safe that seemed like it would fit the bill. It’s a Gepe Extreme Card Case. It’s built like a tank, virtually shock proof, waterproof and also made from an antistatic material for an extra measure of security. These nifty cases can be purchased locally at EPLEVINE $19.95, WBHUNT $27.95, and CALUMET $24.95.

Photo of the Week – June 16th, 2008

This cover shot was created by Steve Bedell for a recent Senior Book.

A word about proofing, again.

I know, I know, many of the online forums talk about shoot and burn as the new way to to do business. A hands off approach that is devaluing our industry as a whole. Unfortunately, this way of doing business is destroying the intrinsic value of our craft. As photographers, we don’t just take pictures, Uncle Bob can do that (No offense to those named Bob). We offer a service that transcends just taking pictures, we create a product that instantly has heirloom value. Considering all the options for proofing today, there is bound to be one that fits your budget. If not, it my be time to re-evaluate how you price your services. There is nothing like a low tech, electronic free, computer free way to view pictures than a printed photograph, be it press printed or photographic. Prints are portable, free from viruses, never need upgrades, and can be viewed via any light source.  All humor aside, you are giving your client not only a visual record of their day, but a tangible product that will be the source of family history for generations to come.

Did you know about online order status?

One of the many features LustreColor offers their customers is online order status. Just key in your account number and hit enter.  You will be brought to window showing all of your in-house orders, as well as several weeks of completed orders along with how and when they where shipped to you.  And, like www.Weddingprints.com, you can access your information from any computer with the internet.

Photo of the Week – June 9th, 2008

This twist on a traditional bridal portrait comes to us from Kevin’s Photography of Albuquerque, NM

Be sure to check back each Monday for a new Photo of the Week.

New names for Press Printed Books!!

To make things less confusing, LustreColor has given their Press Printed books a new name.  Sedona is now the new name for the non-flat bound books printed on Press Paper only.  The Nouveau Coffee Table Books are a lay-flat book with a robust page printed onPhotographic or GicléeFine Art & Linen paper .