How to get the most out of your digital photographs

While digital technology has been a great advance in photography, there are several steps the client needs to take to get the most out of digital files. In the days of film the photographer delivered a set of prints or transparencies that were of proper color and density. The photographs were an absolute and were not open to computer-generated variations. If there was a problem with reproduction it was a simple matter to refer back to the original print or transparency to compare the image. In the digital world the photograph is subject to a long list of options before it is sent to a monitor or printer. Only one combination of settings on the computer will properly show the photograph as intended by the photographer. Any incorrect settings will distort the colors of the photograph. It is important that the end user of the photography thoroughly understand the concept of color calibration of the monitor and printer, as well as the options available in PhotoShop (or other photographic software) and printer software to properly render the photograph.

Digital photography standards have been established in the Universal Photographic Digital Imaging Guidelines. Each photograph we produce is carefully color balanced and formatted to these guidelines on properly calibrated equipment prior to being delivered to our clients. While personal tastes will vary, it is very rare that a photograph does not appear “correct” on a client’s properly calibrated monitor and printer. If the photograph does not appear the way you believe it should, and the difference is more than just a small change for personal taste, check your computer settings, including those that work in the background of programs like PhotoShop. If all settings are correct and the image still looks incorrect please call. We would be happy to assist so our photographs look their very best.