PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BUSINESS
Workshop 2
Image Workflow and Output
Photography Workshop at the University of Surrey
Friday 8th July 2011. 1.30-4.00pm Oak Suite Room 4
Run by Photographer Mike Sleigh of Polypodphoto
Image sources
• Digital Camera
• Video Camera
• Scanner – Film or Flatbed
• Camera phone
• Download from the internet
• From CD or DVD
• From another computer/server
• Via a USB flash stick or external H D
File Types
There are many digital file formats used for saving images and for output from devices.
The main ones to consider are RAW, JPEG & TIFF.
Many cameras will save their images as JPEGs and this is the most common standard, higher end cameras may give the option to save RAW files (only used by pros and enthusiasts).
JPEG’s are compressed files but TIFFs retain their original file size (with more information).
What settings to use?
On higher specification cameras the file size can usually be set and RAW or JPEG.
Depending on what you intend to do with the resulting image a file size/resolution should be selected that gives the ‘best’ image at the chosen end size and use – web, screen or print
With digital SLR cameras there may be a range of options available combining both RAW & JPEG settings.
Acquiring the image
Taking the image from the camera can either be done using a connecting cable or by removing the CF or SD card from the camera and then using a card reader.
Some camera manufacturers will provide their own software for acquiring and processing images.
Microsoft Windows can be used, together with their own image management software.
Photoshop Elements, PaintShop Pro or Photo Plus offer a better option for image processing if higher quality images are required with better control over workflow.
Image Workflow
Acquire image from source > Save onto computer into a specific folder - using a suitable file format > Decide what end use (if possible at the stage) > Decide on what processing is required (depending on end use) > Go through chosen processing routine > Save the processed image with a new file name whilst keeping the original file and file name intact (use ‘Save As’) > create versions of the original file to suit other end uses – giving each version a new file name > Do a back up copy of all the files on DVD/CD or use an external hard disk – consider using ‘cloud’ storage!
dpi – ppi – 'px' ??
Dots per inch – Pixels per inch – Pixels v Resolution – 72dpi or 72ppi? What to use for the web or screen display, or what to use for print?
Any image that is only going to be used on the internet for websites or posting to social media only needs to be saved at 72dpi – but the pixel dimensions will vary depending upon overall image dimensions
An image to be printed on an ink jet printer should be 200 dpi and for litho printing requires 300dpi min.
All of these will effect the overall final file size and also if the file is saved as a TIFF, JPEG or as a PDF
Can be very confusing !
Cont...
