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Better equipment, and our photography experience stretching back to the late 1960s, goes a long way to producing better results. Over time, we have refined an optimum combination of photographic equipment, computer system, and software for the type of photographic work in which we specialize. We regularly review our equipment and upgrade as appropriate. This is a summary of what we currently use:
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Cameras
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We use a Sony DSC-F828 or a Sony MVC-FD97 or a Sony DSC-P52 digital camera depending on the shooting session, shooting at various resolutions up to 3264 x 2448 pixels (about 8 megapixels), either as specified by the client or selected as appropriate for the subject and intended use of the photos.
- For example, an 8 MP photo is pointless if the intended (final) use of the photo is as a 400 x 300 pixel (about 0.12 MP) image on a web site.
- For the web or for newspaper reproduction, taking a photo at 2 to 4 megapixels is usually sufficient.
- For magazines and larger print sizes (up to a printed size of 16 x 20 inches), then 6 megapixels is good.
- For fine-art, landscape, and for maximum detail or to allow for extensive cropping, then 8 megapixels works well.
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DSC-F828 |
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MVC-FD97 |
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DSC-P52 |
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Image file formats include high-quality (low compression) JPG, uncompressed TIFF, and GIF89a format (also called animated GIF) for stop-action shots. RAW format is not available.
We use various HOYA or Tiffen brands of filters including a polarizer to reduce glare or reflections, and +1, +2, and +4 close-up lenses for “in close” shots.
For product/tabletop and membership directory shots, we connect the camera’s “live” video output to an external monitor to better evaluate both the composition of the shot, and the effects of altering the lighting on the subject.
We use a Bogen/Manfrotto brand of tripod, with a “convertible” center column for difficult subjects. We use a Bogen/Manfrotto brand of “3-axis”, “pistol grip”, and geared heads to accommodate a wide range of shooting conditions. We use a Bogen/Manfrotto brand of monopod with ball head, in locations where using a tripod would be inappropriate or impractical.
We use a SAVAGE brand of background system, with various colors and patterns.
When accurate color is critical, we can include a GretagMacbeth ColorChecker chart in the photo as a known set of specific colors. It is used during image editing for color correction, then cropped out of the final image.
Tabletop Stage.
Our Smith-Victor brand of “3D” shooting table has two 250-watt flood lamps with optional barn doors, and a 75-watt quartz-halogen spot light with optional snoot. Each lamp is on an adjustable arm or a stand for optimum positioning of the light. Various colored filters and frosted diffusers are also available.
Also available are under-stage and/or back-stage lighting for special illumination effects, and various colors and patterns of backgrounds.
- The “3D” stage makes the subject appear to float over the background.
- The spot light can add highlights to jewelry and glassware, or emphasize a part of the item.
We can also use a bank of lighting heads for up to about the equivalent of 1800 watts of light for larger items.
Computer System.
The hardware...
3.2GHz Intel P4 with 2GB of DDR2 SDRAM, dual 160GB SATA HDDs configured in a RAID mode 1 for data redundancy, and an external multi-drive enclosure of about 500GB for data backup and protection.
19-inch high-definition, true 24-bit (16.7 million colors) digital LCD monitor, calibrated with a ColorVision color calibration system, powered by an ATI Radeon brand of digital dual-head graphics card. Dual 17-inch LCD monitors for increased workspace and greater productivity.
21-in-1 memory card reader, high-speed combo DVD/CD disk drive for reading and burning/writing almost all DVD and CD formats, 16X DVD/CD-ROM drive, and a 3.5-inch diskette drive, to accept your photos or documents on almost any digital media.
WACOM Intuos brand of graphics tablet with pressure-sensitive stylus.
Canon brand of flatbed scanner for scanning your previously printed photos, catalog pages, brochures, etc.
HP brand of 6-color photo printer.
The software...
Serif’s PhotoPlus and ULead’s PhotoImpact bitmap editing software for retouching, color correcting, cropping, resizing, etc.
ABSoft’s Neat Image Pro+ for reducing the “digital noise” in photos.
Serif’s DrawPlus vector editing software for adding text, captions, arrows, or other objects to a photo.
Smoky City Design’s Panorama Factory for up to 360 degree panoramas - ordinary, Virtual Reality or Virtual Tour.
Serif’s PanoramaPlus for 2D panoramas, left and right, and up and down, and 360-degree VRs.
CompuPic’s PhotoDex for thumbnail index sheets and files.
Lumapix’s FotoFusion for “proof” sheets; printed or by E-mail.
DDI’s QImage for high-quality prints.
ROXIO’s brand of Easy CD & DVD Creator disk burning software.
Serif’s MoviePlus for creating movies or slide shows.
SWiSHZone’s SWiSHMax for creating FLASH movies.
Serif’s PagePlus desktop publishing program for laying out small publications like brochures, booklets, flyers, etc.
Global Graphic’s JAWS PDF Creator software to produce files in PDF/X-1a format for commercial printing.
revised: September 17, 2007
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