friday inspiration- do your best

CASE Design Institute- Creativity in a Challenging Environment

Coming up! CASE Design Institute

My classes: Tue, April 28, 1:30pm – 2:45pm, Session 2, 4:30 - 6:00pm

Learn the Photographers' Secrets of the Camera RAW file

Pro photographers have discovered the true power of digital photography–the power of the RAW file.

The RAW file is the camera file format that lets them go back to the "Digital Latent Image," the actual values of the exposure that lets them process, and re-process, files to serve any purpose. The RAW file really isn't the digital "negative," as some describe it. It represents the image before it's interpreted or processed in any way, and in it's the true, unmodifiable form. This allows interpretation, reinterpretation, processing and reprocessing to suit any needs and vision.

It's a powerful concept for photographers and designers who are looking for unprecedented control over their images.


April 27-29, 2009
Omni Parker House Hotel
Boston, Mass.

re-post: Book Signing and Smart Object Pipeline sneak peek at Photoshop World!

(gratuitous self-promotion)

A lot going on, but this is my BIG NEWS this week, thus the re-post:

Join me for a special sneak peek at my latest book- Smart Object Pipeline – and a book signing for RAW and Color Pipeline.

Smart Object Pipeline is the first book published dealing exclusively with Smart Object RAW file processing, from start to finish. For information on this, and my other books, see this link:
http://www.teddillard.com/2008/10/books.html

Books will be on sale there, thanks to Eric Luden, of Digital Silver Imaging, and we’ll be accepting pre-orders of Smart Object Pipeline. We’ll even have a little tease for Black and White Pipeline, due in October.

Hope you can stop by booth 820…

Complete information about Photoshop World can be found here: http://www.photoshopworld.com/

Date:
Thursday, March 26, 2009
3:00pm – 4:30pm

Location:
Photoshop World, Hynes Auditorium, Booth 820
900 Boylston Street, Hall C
Boston, MA



Update:

Look for possible sightings of John Nack, Katrin Eismann, and other notable Photoshop celebrities at the signing, as well as an announcement and information on the upcoming launch of Head-2-Head Reviews!

Adams- Visualization

The Key to a Photograph from Ansel Adams from SilberStudios.Tv on Vimeo.

Thanks SP!

song- ruined forever.

i hope you're happy lenny.

ah, we always have the DROPKICKS! (TRUE fans!)

Friday diversion- Help Desk

the legacy of digital files...

This was posted a while ago, and was in response to file formats and programs like Aperture2 having significance in a truly archival context- that is, what are our ancestors going to make of all this? (emphasis is mine...)

Here’s one take on your question, which is, of course, quite valid. Not only for those of us using Aperture but for all photographers in the digital era.

With the floodgates of digital imagery having been opened the game of archiving has changed. Since digital images are so easy to story they are also very easy to destroy. It won’t take some change in format to destroy my images after I’m gone. It will simply require that no one cares enough for my images to preserve them. If that is the case then it won’t matter what format my images are in, JPG, TIFF, XMP sidecars, whatever. Somebody just hits the delete button when no one can be found who gives a damn about my pictures.

On the other hand, if I have images that are actually of value, that have stood out from the tsunami of imagery washing over everyone, then those images might just have a chance of survival. If my stock agency is making money off of them then they’ll continue to update them because it’s profitable. If I have images of documentary value, then I can hope to put them in some public archive at some point during my life, with some hope that their growing historic value will keep them alive.

I’ll not beat that tack further because I think you can see where it is going. That is the new world we live in. If you want your pictures to truly last, then you have to make sure you give them a real, lasting life while you are still alive. If not, it won’t matter if they are in pixels or Kodachromes in slide mounts; somebody somewhere in the future is likely to find them just burdensome (and useless) enough to throw them away.

Just one personal view on the problem. Now I have to get some pictures out the door.

by Jim Richardson | 20 Feb 2008

class- Get SMART! Smart Object RAW Processing

The digital camera changed photography because of the RAW file.

For the first time we could work, and re-work the “digital latent image”- the image as it came through the lens without any built-in processing. We can access that image through Camera RAW and process it countless ways to fulfill our vision. The RAW file remains untouched.

Enter Smart Objects.

Smart Objects let you get to that RAW file simply, easily and efficiently, and with all the versatility and control of the Layer and Mask workflow. The Smart Object RAW workflow is truly the most important, powerful and adaptable workflow for RAW file processing.

In Get Smart! Smart Object RAW Processing , we’ll discuss all the tools and techniques you need to use and understand to get the most out of this remarkable process-

- Understanding the RAW file
- Controlling Camera RAW
- Understanding and using Layers
- Masks- what are they, how to make, modify and use them
- Building a process, learning to visualize

Whether you’re new to digital photography and RAW file processing, or you’re a seasoned pro, join us in this in-depth overview of a complete system of working- a system to fulfill the vision of the photographer.

Sunday May 17th, 2009 from (9AM-1PM)
at:
ASA Photographic Studios

TIFF vs PSD- Schewe (via Luminous Landscape)

Speak of the...

Well, here's an answer to a question on LL that I've been asked a lot, and frankly, just didn't know the answer to.

From Luminous Landscape:


Wrong...PSD is now a bastardized file format that is NOT a good idea to use. Even the Photoshop engineers will tell you that PSD is no longer the Photoshop "native" file format. It has no advantages and many disadvantages over TIFF.

TIFF is publicly documented, PSD is not. That makes TIFF a preferred file format for the long term conservation of digital files.

TIFF uses ZIP compression for max compression, PSD uses RLE which if you save without the Max compatibility will be a bit smaller, but at the risk of not being able to be used by apps, like Lightroom.

TIFF can save EVERYTHING a PSD can save including layers, paths, channels, transparency, annotations and can go up to 4 GIGS in file size. TIFF can save all the color spaces PSD can. The ONLY thing I can think of that PSD can save that currently TIFF can't save is if you Save out of Camera Raw a cropped PSD, you can uncrop the PSD in Photoshop CS, CS2 or 3. That's one tiny obscure thing that PSD can do that TIFF currently doesn't. How many people even knew that let alone use it?

PSD used to be the preferred file format back before Adobe bastardized it for the Creative Suite. The moment that happened, PSD ceased to be a Photoshop "native" file format. PSB is the new Photoshop "native" file format for images beyond 30,000 pixels. And , at the moment, only Photoshop can open a PSB.

Getting back to the fist point, Adobe can do anything including stopping support for PSD because it's a proprietary file format. TIFF is public, even if it's owned by Adobe (by virtue of the Aldus purchase). Even if Adobe went belly up tomorrow, TIFF would continue.

And, let me be blunt, anybody who thinks PSD is "better" than TIFF is ignorant of the facts. If Adobe would let them, the Photoshop engineers would tell you to quit using PSD. Lightroom for the first beta did NOT support PSD and Hamburg fought tooth and nail to prevent having to accept PSD. He blinked, but you still can't import a PSD without Max compat enabled-which basically makes it a TIFF with a PSD extension.

Look, I'll make it REAL simple...

TIFF = Good
PSD = Bad

Ok?

-Jeff Schewe


Thanks Jeff!

mom? is that YOU?

HOW can I leave this stuff alone when it's so damn funny?

I'm even going to do him a favor and link to his blog... may be the only way he gets any traffic. (...and maybe he won't have to make up his own comments anymore. LOL)

Workflow in Digital Imaging- NEU CPS

Workflow in Digital Imaging
Offers an intermediate-level course specifically designed for those with some hands-on experience. Increasing use of higher-end capture along with RAW and DNG files are required. The course also covers refinement of workflows. Alternate software applications, and higher level printing are assigned and required for completion.

Prerequisite: DM 3300 Digital Capture and Output, or permission of instructor.

Term: Spring
Dates: 4/6 to 6/27

Campus: Boston

Schedule:
Mon 7:45-9:45, Location 460 Ryder

Smart Object RAW, baby!

Photography by David Binder - "Calling My Children" (Reception Mar. 19)

Gail Farrow, a devoted mother and wife, died when she was just 27. She left behind four young sons, Ronald Jr., Frank, Kenny and Benny, and her husband Ronald.

David Binder began photographing Gail and her family in 1987, documenting Gail's last year of life and her family’s early adjustment to continuing without her.

With insight and honesty,his film and photographs explore the pieces Gail left – photographs, letters, guidance and memories… Eighteen years after her death, Gail’s hopes for her family collide with the reality of their lives.

Calling My Children is a testament of a family's life and a mother’s love.


"I began photographing Gail and her family in 1987, spending every day with them until Gail’s death in 1989 and then continued with Ronald and the children for six months after. I revisited Ronald and the children ten years later in 1998 to update their story for LIFE magazine. I am now making a documentary film on Ronald and the children, and on the presence of Gail in their memories and in their lives.

"Among the many readers that responded to the first publication of Gail’s story in 1990 (In Health Magazine) was a most extraordinary response from a man in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This man, of working class means, contacted the magazine to let the family know of his interest in paying for private school for all four of Gail’s children. He did indeed pay for the children’s schooling for eight years, until he was finally forced to declare bankruptcy.

"Gail Farrow’s story has profoundly resonated with diverse audiences through its presentation in magazines and exhibitions. This is a rare view of the bonds of family love that are both torn apart and endure through the ordeal of AIDS. The most powerful dramas are the ones we can see ourselves and our loved ones. The story of Gail and her family gives us the opportunity for recognition and empathy."


Photography by David Binder - "Calling My Children"
Opening Reception

Thursday, March 19, 2009
6-9 PM


RSVP:
ted@teddillard.com

Tech Superpowers' Digital Lounge
252 Newbury Street
Boston, MA. 02116

Beware Forum Trolls! (one last bit of the Ugly)

I think this is the last little bit of energy I'm giving this issue. There's a lot of work to do, and it's time to move on, but this all got me to thinking back on why I was checking on the IPA in the first place.

A troll is a guy who posts on a forum basically to disrupt the dialog. They can be simply inflammatory and malicious, or try to simply draw attention to themselves, or turn the discussion to their own interests.

My first encounter with L. was his request to connect on LinkedIn, and after checking his profile and seeing that we had one contact in common, I accepted. I then recieved an email from him with several names in the CC field, promoting himself. My first response was that I'd been had, and that he was simply using LinkedIn to gather contact names, rather than for its intended purpose- to network among colleagues.

I actually tried, rather diplomatically, I thought, to advise him that this was not appropriate, hoping that it was simply an innocent mistake. Thus began a long, drawn out series of increasingly ugly posts on a thread on LinkedIn's Photography Industry Professionals group.

On that group, and another group on LinkedIn, L. consistently posted self-serving comments and posts linking back to his own site. If someone posted a question about something, his response was to say, "...go to my site, see the work we've done, etc." He did that, not only on his own posted discussions, but every discussion he joined. It is the very definition of a forum troll- the point of forum discussions is to contribute to the discussions, not to take the discussion to your site. And, yes. Every time I saw it, I called him on it. This is why he considers me a bully.

L. then began posting duplicate discussions on the two groups I was a member of on LinkedIn, a classic, and important breach of online forum etiquette. I began realizing that his behavior was not so innocent or naive.

When I researched his online credentials, I found his posted profiles were tailored to suit the context- for example, on Lightstalkers, his profile was listed as a Photojournalist (in a group of professional journalists). I was aware that his background was essentially marketing. The pieces started fitting together, and I started asking questions about the company he runs, the IPA, and I asked these questions in a professional community (one that he mocks, by the way, in his blog post).

Long story short, after we seemed to have settled this reasonably amiably, a few days ago he found that post of mine on Lightstalkers asking about the IPA. He could have simply sent me an email... a polite one would have been nice, an angry one would have been tolerable, but he sent me an email threatening me with legal action. He then got on the thread and posted an inflammatory response, bumping the thread back to active status, and re-opening the discussion.

It was perfectly in character- the polite email would have made the issue go away, the bump brought him more attention.

I feed into this, even now, by continuing the discussion. It's a weakness of mine, when I see someone abusing a community for their own purposes, I call them out, and when I am insulted and attacked, I react defensively. In a delicious bit of irony, the name of his blog is an implied threat in and of itself, he's complaining about me being a bully... and each time he re-edits the post it gets further from the actual truth.

Ah well... they say there is no bad press, clearly L. understands that.

His latest breach of forum etiquette was to post a note on the LS thread from one of his members, addressing the group, even insulting them. Either join the group and post, or don't, you can't have it both ways. This is precisely the purpose of requiring registration to post. Of course, L. sees the resulting comments as uncivil, when his own breach of acceptable behavior precipitated those comments.

Just for a taste of what he says out of (what he thinks is) the public eye, have a look at this. Yes, L. is responsible for the bulk of that. Very gentlemanly. He's also started "friending" my friends on Facebook, just as he did on LinkedIn. Nice.

The IPA is what it is... and the photographic community sees it for what it is. I hope that amateur photographers, considering sending them their $200/year ultimately see it for what it is, too. I have been getting tons of private messages, all from working photographers, writers and editors, but the most eloquent came yesterday, simply:

"Oh, Those guys. A decades long scam in my book."

Decades long? The truly ugly bit is when you go to the "Wayback Machine" and see what the sites he runs were ten years ago... but let's move on, now.

Private messages from the forums...

I'm pretty active on most of the forums and groups, as you may know. DP Review, Luminous Landscapes, PhotoNet, the Adobe support forums, a couple of LinkedIn groups. For the most part, it generally resembles a fairly tame, and respectful discussion. Sometimes, it's more of a bar-room brawl.

This link was my first real post on DP Review, discussing DNG files. ...kind of lost interest after that. I posted link to a discussion about the IPA previously... and Luminous Landscape is always interesting, especially when Jeff Schewe goes off on someone (so far, not me).

I'd generally say that I get as much out of these as I put into them, and I always try to make some kind of constructive contribution. It does, however, get ugly sometimes, understandably. My sense of humor has always bit me in the butt occasionally, and I call things as I see them. Sometimes that doesn't go well. Imagine walking into Grand Central Station and walking up to a perfect stranger and making a joke about his tie. Ah well...

Anyway, as a caution to those out there joining in the fray, here's a sample of some of the private messages I've received. Fun stuff.


You just won't give up will you. It has now become personal and all bets are off.

I am like a pit bull and will come after you at any cost should you cross that line and believe me, you have only seen my nice side.

I have the ability and resources to stop you if need be, so keep this in mind. This is not a threat it is a promise.

Just remember I will be watching what you say and my Yale Law attorney who you seem to think has no clue about you and what you are up to, has no problem working you over if need be.

Remove the posting on * * * .com and confirm you will refrain from any other slanderous and untrue postings on the internet and I will drop it.

I can tell you my attorney has been sent all the information this morning. His name is * * * in New York and you can see his resume if you like at http://www.* * *

If you truly want to find peace in your life and stop this once and for all, call me or I can call you and lets see if we can come to a simple understanding.

I just came upon what I and my attorney consider slanderous comments you made on the http://www.* * * web site.

You have really stepped over the line with your rants and outrageous comments.


You gotta love it when it gets personal, too:

You are truly a troubled guy that has wasted my time and yours with this relentless banter.

Is that what you do now that you don't have a real job? (ed note: shhh... don't tell my boss, please.)

Are you so frustrated with the money you earn on the three books you published that I noticed no one on any site has reviewed? (ed note: a-HEM) Or is it the frustration that comes from your part time gig as a teacher in college? (ed note: ...it's called "Adjunct Professor")

You look a bit disheveled in your FB photo so I see that life must be dealing you a hard blow.

(awww, come on now, it's a picture of a sock monkey on FB... don't pick on the sock monkey.)




THIS one was actually my favorite- posted by someone who was a "friend", over my removing a controversial quote, his quote, from my website:

Look.. at this point, as far as I'm concerned...it's a simple proposition.. I simply asked you to provide the screenshot of the original version of your website that I need, and can no longer access.. because you have removed it.

I just figured that would be simpler.. and easier (and much less expensive) than my only other alternative; which is to subpoena both you and your publisher for a deposition. Make no mistake about it.. I will do that, if I have to.



Interestingly, and kind of like a big, disfunctional family, often through persistance and patience, and humor (from everybody involved), you emerge from a thread with a clear understanding, and respect, for "opponents" in a discussion, as here... a post on Lightstalkers about B/W conversion I saw at the outset of my research for B/W Pipeline. My biggest lesson learned from that one? Don't post when you're in a foul mood with no patience. Heh.

Probably the best advice I can give is to sit on the sidelines, read the posts, learn the audience and understand the forum culture before diving in... That, and of course, read Clay Shirky's book. At least watch his video, to understand the sociology of the internets. I think I've probably sold more of his books that my own.

Anyway, there's the ugly. There's plenty good and bad, but it's not for the timid. (...and it helps you sleep at night to have a badass lawyer for a personal friend... well, that, and a sock monkey.)

Book Signing and Smart Object Pipeline sneak peek at Photoshop World!

(gratuitous self-promotion)

Join me for a special sneak peek at my latest book- Smart Object Pipeline – and a book signing for RAW and Color Pipeline.

Smart Object Pipeline is the first book published dealing exclusively with Smart Object RAW file processing, from start to finish. For information on this, and my other books, see this link:
http://www.teddillard.com/2008/10/books.html

Books will be on sale there, thanks to Eric Luden, of Digital Silver Imaging, and we’ll be accepting pre-orders of Smart Object Pipeline. We’ll even have a little tease for Black and White Pipeline, due in October.

Hope you can stop by booth 820…

Complete information about Photoshop World can be found here: http://www.photoshopworld.com/

Date:
Thursday, March 26, 2009
3:00pm – 4:30pm

Location:
Photoshop World, Hynes Auditorium, Booth 820
900 Boylston Street, Hall C
Boston, MA

LCD monitors, image "persistance" info, fixes

Image persistence, in LCD monitors, is when you leave an image up for a while, and the can see a "ghost" of it after it's gone.

The best brief explanation of it is here:
"LCD Image Persistence- Can Burn-In Happen to LCD Monitors?
By Mark Kyrnin, About.com"

Here's some explanation of how to fix it- from www.syeager.org

And this, too, about fixing stuck pixels, too. PaulSpoerry.com

This refers to JScreenfix. Free. Fun.

Thanks to Adam Abel, from Lacie, for the help and links!

site- the Good, the Bad... and the Priceless.

So, started the week with ants. Here's how my week went, with an absolutely scintillating discussion of the IPA, a "professional" photographer's site, on Lightstalkers.

Here.

diversion (Monday): ants.

thought this was a nice way to start the week...

site- TinEye, reverse search engine

TinEye lets you search your online images and see where they're showing up... (whether they have your permission or not!)

"TinEye is a reverse image search engine. You can submit an image to TinEye to find out where it came from, how it is being used, if modified versions of the image exist, or to find higher resolution versions. TinEye is the first image search engine on the web to use image identification technology rather than keywords, metadata or watermarks."


TinEye, here.

update: Oh for gods sake, I already posted this video about this here. I've officially lost my mind.

Upcoming Events

Events, talks, workshops...

April 27, 2009- Newton Camera Club- Personal Work and RAW workflow

Author and Photographer Ted Dillard will show and discuss his personal work, and RAW file photography and workflow.

Open to the members, friends and the public, for information, and to RSVP, please email Elisif Andrews Brandon, Newton Camera Club.


Monday, April 27, 2009
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Location:
First Parish of Watertown
35 Church Street
Watertown, MA


May 17- ASA Photographic- RAW/Smart Object Workflow- details to come
June 6- The Griffin Museum- RAW workflow, book signing (A triple-treat: RAW, Color and Smart Object Pipeline)- details to come
Sept 28-Oct 1 The Windjammer Angelique 4-Day FALL FOLIAGE Cruise-
On-Board Digital Imaging Workshop

B/W Pipeline is in, cover is done!

wooHOO! the blog is 1 year old!

...and we broke 20K! Thanks for all the kind words and support!