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Key words in this issue: Photoshop | Spam | BAPLA | Photo Edit |

NEWSWORDS:

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## PhotoAIM weekly newsletter for 01/25/03 ## 388d

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PhotoAIM, the weekly newsletter from PhotoSource

ISSN 1530-0511

If you no longer wish to receive PhotoAIM, see the instructions at the end of this newsletter.

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PHOTOSHOP FOR STOCK PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Part 4

by David Arnold

Advance Notes: Over the last three months I’ve examined image editing programs in general (October), Photoshop in particular (November), and books and other Photoshop learning aids (December). This month I’ll conclude with plug-ins, specialized programs that install as part of, and work within, Photoshop, to make it both easier and more powerful. I’ll also look at some pre-packaged actions (Photoshop’s name for batch files). The actions run on both Windows and Macs; some plug-ins are supplied with both versions on CD, others ask which you want. See the box below for URLs, prices, and free demos.

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Now that our cameras do the focusing for us, the most common technical flaws in our photos involve incorrect exposure or improper color balance. But these days, if you didn’t adjust those elements in the field, you can fix them in the digital darkroom. Photoshop can do it alone, but it’s quicker, easier, and sometimes more effective to use a plug-in, such as Digital ROC, which does an astounding job of correcting color, or Digital SHO, which automatically optimizes contrast and exposure. Whereas ROC corrects color for the entire image, Color Mechanic does selective correction, making it easy to change one color without affecting others. I’ve found it handy for darkening skies, even when broken up by power lines and branches. Didn’t use the right filter? nik Color Efex Pro to the rescue. Fifty-five digital filters in the form of Photoshop plug-ins that you can apply after the fact. I’ve found the polarizer, Sunshine, B/W conversion, and Graduated filters particularly useful for editorial stock images.

Wide angle zoom lenses all suffer from some degree of barrel distortion: straight lines near the edge of the frame bow outward. You can spend $1,000 or more on a high-end lens that will reduce (but not eliminate) the barreling. Or buy Andromeda Software’s LensDoc or Grasshopper Ltd’s ImageAlign Pro. Neither is perfect, but both do a good job, and both come with comprehensive manuals. ImageAlign Pro provides more control and is a bit easier to use, while LensDoc is half the price.

In Part 2 of this series I mentioned Photoshop’s Unsharp Mask which, by increasing edge contrast, creates the impression of increased sharpness, making up for the softening that accompanies the processing of digital images. But it’s tricky to use, and the final output may differ from what you see on screen, or may display halos and other unsightly artifacts. However with nik Sharpener Pro, just specify intended output device and parameters, and its sophisticated algorithms optimize sharpness. There are only three levels of sharpening, but you can use Photoshop’s Fade command for finer tuning.

If you’re shooting with a digital camera, or scanning at less than 4,000 dpi, your image files will sometimes be too small for the print size you want or the file size a photobuyer wants. You can add the needed pixels (interpolate) with Photoshop’s Save As command, but the results may be marginal. Or use Genuine Fractals and get excellent results. Genuine Fractals can also provide lossless compression for more efficient storage which, unlike jpg compression, retains all the detail of the original.

Since all these plug-ins offer free trial versions, try a few and see how they can save you time and improve your images.

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Actions. Anything you do in Photoshop involves a sequence of keystrokes and/or mouse clicks. Most such sequences can be saved as an "action" which can be replayed on demand. You can create actions yourself, or use ones developed by others. Some link hundreds of steps and provide impressive results. Actions are harder to install and use than plug-ins, but they’re a lot cheaper. For starters try the free Shadow Recovery and Highlight Recovery actions at www.digitalfocus.net/downloads.htm. The best commercial actions I’ve found are available for $8.50 to $15 at www.fredmiranda.com/Action_profilesPage. Miranda’s Digital Velvia, EdgeSharpen, Stair Interpolation, and Shadow Recovery actions are all quite good. In addition, he has actions formulated specifically for particular digital cameras, as well as some free actions. – David Arnold

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Plug-in resources (all offer free trial versions): Advanced Science Fiction (www.asf.com): Digital ROC, $49.95; Digital SHO, $49.95. Andromeda Software (www.andromeda.com) LensDoc, $99.95. Digital Light & Color (www.dl-c.com) Color Mechanic, $29.95-$49.95. Lizardtech (www.lizardtech.com): Genuine Fractals, $49.95-$299. Grasshopper Software (www.grasshopperonline.com): Image Align, $199.95. nik Multimedia (www.nikmultimedia.com): Color Efex Pro, $69.95-$299.95; Sharpener Pro, $129.95-$329.95. – David Arnold

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David Arnold is a travel photographer who has been writing about travel, photography, and computers since 1980. His photos have appeared in Popular Photography, Petersen’s Photographic, US Air Magazine, Rotarian, the TWA Calendar, and elsewhere. His stock list is at http://www.photosourcebook.com/2181 . He can be reached at david@arnoldrutman.com.

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This week's featured photographer on PhotoSourceFolio: !!! **** **** !!!! :

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ON-LINE

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SPAM SPAM SPAM!

We all get it. We've even written about it many times over the years in these here pages of PhotoStockNotes. The first rule to help prevent receipt of spam is to NOT click on those "click here to be removed" hyperlinks. While some are truly valid and will remove you (they never say for how long they'll keep you on their "do not send" list), most just confirm to the sender that they've reached a valid e-mail address. You can set filters or e-mail rules within your e-mail program, and often your ISP has options for blocking spam at their servers (ISP settings generally only work for your main e-mail address). Here is another approach: Spam-blocking software. Check out this conglomerate site: http://www.ihatespam.com , which lists many different anti-spam products, some of which are specific to certain e-mail programs, such as Outlook, Outlook Express, AOL, etc. Most offer fully functional downloadable trial versions. In fact, I'm testing one now.

Beware of Internet Driving Directions

Seems more and more folks are turning to the Internet to get maps and driving directions instead of relying on printed maps or calling your destination for help. In fact, Media Metrix says that over 32 million folks used Internet map sites last September. I suppose it's often more convenient, and certainly covers a larger area than your hometown map. But do be careful, and be prepared for inaccuracies or confusing instructions, especially in the driving directions part, which can utilize as many as five different companies to prepare that "fastest route" plan. While the maps are pretty good for metropolitan areas, the accuracy diminishes as you progress to the rural areas. If you do find something wrong, take a few moments to e-mail the map folks. Maybe yours will be the one more e-mail they needed to implement a change in the database.

Go Ahead, Implant The Chip

From time to time we hear about advances that would allow a chip to be implanted into us to contain vital info, like medical history, and other personal info. Some say it's bad, others say it's good. I say, "they" probably already have the info anyway (though I'm against implantation of such products). Your medical info is likely shared (at least at some level) with other medical and insurance companies. What you buy online is used to pitch you, "you'll like these products." Responding to an e-mailed advertisement gets you, you guessed it, more e-mailed ads. Supermarket and discount club cards track and store your every purchase. Your cell phone provider knows where you are, as does the navigation system in many vehicles. Even TiVo tracks your preferences, and then begins to automatically record what it thinks you'll like. And my favorite: Caller ID Blocking. Sure, you can get "complete blocking," but it's far from complete. Calls to emergency numbers display your number (that's mostly good) but all calls to any toll-free number are also displayed (that's generally bad). And don't even ask me about video cameras in public (and private) places.

GOOD STUFF

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BAPLA PICTURE BUYERS’ FAIR. April 29-30, 2002 at the Conference Centre, Olympia 2, London. Visit over 100 picture libraries and agencies at one venue. Tickets free if you pre-register. Register online at http://www.pbf.org.uk or call the registration line at 01423 856065.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

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"A people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives."

– James Madison

FREE THIS WEEK

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FREE CAMERAS Make your own choice of any professional level digital camera on the market and Desktop Digital Lab offers to show you how to get it at no cost. The program requires use of Desktop Digital Lab. For more information go to: <http://www.freedigitalcameras.net>. Let us know if this works! -RE

THIS WEEK'S WEB FEATURE

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Have questions about marketing your editorial stock photography? Put your questions on our Kracker Barrel and find the answers.

Watch for developments in the field of stock photography in PhotoAIM's

PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE NEWS

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