Written by Kathryn Sias a photographer and marketer from St. Louis, MO. Visit her website at: www.newbrightapples.com Get free online photography training or purchase a premier course. Either way you're about to have a lot of fun! And, you just might learn something.
We all adore our digital cameras. Does anyone use film anymore? For all those Digital SLR lovers out there you've been zonked. I know a better way to get those Digital SLR photos but for a fraction of the cost.
I love me an SLR camera and all the cool filters, film and gadgets you can use to create perfect shots. I've learned all about professional films, dodging and burning, cropping, masking, and developing color corrected prints. Film has magical qualities that have helped me understand the art of photography. I think I am emotionally attached to film and you can be too.
I promised you a huge tip well here it is. I use a film camera. I develop the film spool to disk at the local Walgreen's. It's genius! Some popular SLR's are very inexpensive on eBay or purchased used online, from classifieds or in pawn shops. Think about it? You can purchase a Canon T-50 35mm Auto everything camera for under $100 which flash and lens. Wow now that's a bargain!
Next, print to digital so that you can manipulate the images into perfect portrait perfection. The cost of film doesn't go away but you have the best of the two worlds digital and film.
If you're developing to disk and storing digital images here are some reminders. Remember to save your digital prints to several folders and always make 2 exact folders to start in case you ruin or delete an image.
1. Keep a copy of the original size images which preserves the clarity or pixels. 2. Copy an exact file or duplicate file of the digital images. 3. Use file 2 for the working images. You will likely photo-edit the photos into better photos so use folder two to do it. 4. Then save the enhanced images from folder to into a 3rd folder so you can re-size the finished photos to send for emails or for use in graphics. 5. Finally make a copy of all files for a disk and a backup of the photos.
Take these steps with every batch of photos. If you're selling photos this will be even more important. You will need a rock-solid method of managing your clients prints.
Of course we hope you will never lose an image but unfortunately it does happen. HAVE A BACKUP OF A BACKUP in almost all cases. You can also purchase a web based hosting service to upload your photos to. Web sites like Photobucket or Ripway are good services but there are many others.
With this in mind you can now use an affordable Single Reflex Camera (SLR) and create masterful digital images. You can now become a master of the film. You've stored your digital images and now you're ready for your next event!
