SnapShot Archives - 11/17/1999

SNAPSHOT - PHOTO NEWS FROM BETTERPHOTO.COM
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Welcome to SnapShot, the weekly newsletter on the art
of photography from http://www.betterphoto.com

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IN THIS ISSUE
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Week of November 14, 1999

* Quick Synopsis

* What's New at BetterPhoto.com

* Photographic Happenings on the Web

* This Week's Photo Tip

* Camera & Photography Q&A


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QUICK SYNOPSIS
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* Answer a BetterPhoto.com question

* New fun survey at BetterPhoto.com takes only a minute

* Photoshop's version 5.5 helps us display our work on the Web

* Photographer Phil Borges displays awesome images online

* Kodak posts impressive samples from digital cameras

* Adobe online features the work of photog Howard Schatz

* Calibration tools that set the chaotic color problems in order

* Choices in underwater cameras - from throwaway to Nikonos

* The best point and shoot cameras, filters and Canon's Elan


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WHAT'S NEW AT BETTERPHOTO.COM
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Answer a BetterPhoto.com Question
Help answer questions in our new and improved Q&A. Just answer a question in one
of the categories below and sign it with your name or email address.
http://www.betterphoto.com/qnaTOC.asp


*****
Survey says...
Let us know a little more about yourselves with our fun online survey.
Click the survey box mid way down the filmstrip. It takes about a minute.
http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp

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PHOTOGRAPHIC HAPPENINGS ON THE WEB
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Photoshop 5.5 Update
Once again, Adobe is impressing a lot of image makers. With
the release of version 5.5, Photoshop offers enhanced ways
to create images optimized for the Web. Your path to learning
how to make the most of these new features can be found in
WebMonkey's latest article:
http://www.hotwired.com/webmonkey/99/47/index1a.html
If you would like to start from the beginning, check out their
Photoshop Crash Course:
http://www.hotwired.com/webmonkey/design/graphics/tutorials/tutorial1.html


*****
Phil Borges
>From the White House to Old Town in San Diego, Phil Borges
is fanning the flames of appreciation and inspiration in
photographers and collectors alike. Take a look at his unique
and beautiful work at:
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/features/spirit/spiritPhotoParsho.shtml


*****
Cool Kodak Digital Camera Samples
Considering a digital camera? The samples on these pages
will give you a much better idea of how well these tools from
Kodak work. This is Kodak's way of saying, We did it with film;
why not dominate the digital realm as well...
http://www.kodak.com/digitalImaging/samples/classic.shtml


*****
How Did They Do That?!
Adobe features the amazing underwater photography of
Howard Schatz. We are not talking about fiery coral against
seaweed; we are talking about beautiful people in flowing
dresses (or not!) Howard takes his shots into Photoshop
to remove the background and add other cool effects.
Check it out at:
http://www.adobe.com/print/gallery/schatz/main.html


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THIS WEEK'S TIP
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Considering our upcoming holiday, I thought about how we all like to
take pictures of the family around the dinner table. A tripod will come
in handy when you have a turkey in one hand and the self-timer control
in another. Let the days of balancing your camera on the sofa become
a thing of the past. Mount your camera on any of the following tripods
for easier family photographs and so much more...

Tiffen Traveler ($29.95):
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JI48/graphiqueA

Bogen 3405 Junior Tripod and Head ($79.99):
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=560

Or my favorite, the Bogen 3021 legs with the 3030 head


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CAMERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY Q&A
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Q. I've been using a friend's Mac with Nikon scanner (older model). It's
almost not worth it! When he scans in one of my photos, the color and
brightness and everything is so off that it takes me an average of 30
minutes to fix each one in Photoshop. I think he's not set up correctly
and needs serious calibration. He says that it's like that on everyone's
computer, but I just think that his software is lousy and/or he's not very
bright. I have to scan thousands of slides and I'm not going to do it if
I have to spend 5 to 30 minutes on each one.

1) Is it possible for a scanner to scan the slide and show the image on the
monitor that matches the light table? How is the calibration done?

2) Now, assume a picture being viewed on the monitor is sent to the printer.
What does it take to get it to look like what's seen on the monitor? Do you
tell the printer software what kind of monitor you have? Or does it let you
tweek the colors, etc. until it matches and then saves this information for
later use?

3) I own a PC and run my business with it. I have no interest in buying a
Mac. Is monitor calibration really necessary and, if so, how is it done on a
PC?

A. Yes - monitor calibration is a must and very few people understand this.
Scanning is a very challenging art; scanning without being able to ensure
that what you see in the prescan and on the monitor will look like what
comes out of your printer is next to impossible.

When you are outputting to the Web, you can kiss your color-sensitive
sanity goodbye. With even less standardization - most PCs being totally
uncorrected and thus way too dark - hope for consistency is hard to find
for online image display.

In the print world, however, there is something you can do about it. You
can buy software products that take you through the calibration process.
It is very confusing but well worth your time & energy. In brief, you tell
your
computer what scanning device you are using, what monitor you are using,
and what printer you are using. If there is one, you can benefit from a pre-
defined profile, a.k.a an ICC profile. Calibration also involves a somewhat
painstaking process of comparing a printed file to the electronic file (in
white, natural light) and adjusting various controls on your monitor as
well as in the software.

You are in a tough place because it is your friend's Mac. You can get him to
upgrade to Mac OS 9 which has a much improved ColorSync control panel.
Or you can buy image editing and calibration software for your PC, and
rent or buy a better scanner (it sounds like a Nikon Coolscan II or
thereabouts and I can't begin to tell you how improved the newer
scanners are!)

Help with working out a calibration system:
http://www.scantips.com/basics15.html

Nikon LS-2000 Scanner (excellent for scanning slides and negatives):
http://www.betterphoto.com/buyers/equip/cpu/NikonLS2000.asp

*****
Q. I need some underwater single-use camera advice. I am a relatively new
scuba diver and do not feel comfortable diving with bulky camera equipment
and do not yet want to invest in expensive underwater equipment. I just
want to enjoy scuba diving and get some great snapshots using a disposable
camera until I get to be a more experienced scuba diver.

I will be leaving for the Cayman Islands in two weeks, and would like to get
some suggestions. I am trying to decide between the Fuji underwater camera
and two different Kodak cameras with MAX film. I shoot Fuji film above
water - so I am leaning towards that choice. However, I heard that one is
better for blue-er water and one is better for greener water - but don't
know which one is for which. I am open to any advice and suggestions (also,
advice on using these disposable underwater cameras... use a flash - don't
use a flash, etc).

A. Recently having returned from Hawaii, I can speak on this subject. If you
want to have fun and just get some snapshots for memories of your
adventures - and you aren't going deeper than 15-20 feet - a disposable
camera will do just the trick. If you want excellent images, such as slides
you can sell as stock photography, a more professional system would
be required. You can use the industry standard - the Nikonos V - but let
me tell you... it ain't easy. For your situation, I would steer clear of
this manual-focus Nikonos - it is only good if you are passionate
about underwater photography to the point where, if you had your way,
you would live with dolphins.

Between the two single-use camera brands, I too lean toward the Fuji. I
think this is mostly personal; I love Velvia and Super G. I have not heard
that comment about the blue vs. the green and I do not think that the
theory holds water :^) Usually, the thought is that the Fuji is better with
brilliant blues and greens and the Kodak is better with warm colors.
But even this is total oversimplification and the fact of the matter is
that both will work well for your purposes. Pick one and make the
most of it; film is the least of your concerns.

Unfortunately, these underwater single-use cameras usually (if not always)
do not include a flash. You would think they would have sprung for this
feature, since lack of light (especially red light) is a big problem
underwater. I have heard you can get a slave triggered flash but
am still a little unclear on how this could fire if the original camera
has no flash.

The best solution that I have found is the soft camera cases from EWA
Marine. They are a lot less expensive than the hard cases; you are working
with a good camera (presumably) that you are comfortable handling and
accustomed to using to capture great images; if cared for properly, they
last a long time and offer dependable, trustable protection. I used mine
in Kauai and loved it. If you have a camera that fits one of their models,
I would recommend this route; if you don't, I would recommend the Fuji
underwater single-use cameras. Have fun in the Cayman Islands!

More info EWA Marine soft cases:
http://www.ewa-marine.de/e-start.htm

Tips & tricks on shooting underwater:
http://www.ewa-marine.de/e-tips.htm

Buy the soft cases from B&H Photo:
http://www.bhphoto.com

If you still like the idea of using a full-blown professional system, look
into the Nikon Nikonos-V:
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=142

Fuji Fujichrome Velvia (36-Exp. Pro Pack):
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=355

Fujicolor Superia 100 (36 Exp.):
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=113

*****
Q. I was thinking of getting a camera and I don't need anything super
fancy, but I wanted something more than the generic point and click
camera. Can you give me a recommendation? How about that Canon
EOS Elan II with EF 28-80 USM V Zoom Lens... is it a good camera?
Or would it be overkill for an amateur like me?

A.This camera is perfect for your situation - You'll love it!
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=4


*****
Q. I photograph homes inside and out for the largest real estate
company in my area. Although I use a mounted flash that I often
bounce off the ceiling, do you think getting a slave flash will greatly
enhance my interior photos of homes? Should I only use it in
poorly lit areas or will it also help the well-lighted area? Also,
when shooting the exterior of a home that's back-lit, is there a
filter for the lens that would help eliminate the sun spots, instead
of me just putting my hand up?

A. For the real estate photographer, who wants to get rid of glare
and sun hitting the lens, try carrying a cardboard like the 18% grey
cardboard that Kodak sells, or a piece like a shirt cardboard from
the shirt laundry, or cut a piece around 9 X 12" or so. Hold it in front
but not in view of the lens to block the sun. Call it your assistant.
-Bluebell


*****
Q. Thank you for answering my question... I have another one.
I have a Minolta - I will be taking so candid shots at a wedding.
The church has bright florescent lights. Will these lights cause
strange cast to the pictures? Is there a filter or something that
I can do or get make sure that I do not have problems?

A. This will not be a big problem if you are shooting film negatives
but it could cause casts if you are shooting slides. If that is the case,
there is a filter that will correct the problem. It is usually called a
FL-D. If you can't get one, use negatives and have the lab
correct. Go to a pro lab and tell them about your situation.

You can buy one at your local pro shop or cameraworld.com.
Just be sure to get the right size:

Tiffen 37mm FL-D Filter
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=411


*****

Q. Regarding image quality, camera quality and ease of use, which
point and shoot cameras should I consider?

A. The best of the best - absolute creme de la creme - are the:

Contax Tvs II
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=575

Nikon 35Ti
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=931

Rollei QZ 35T QD (telephoto)
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=577

Rollei QZ 35W QD (wide-angle)
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=576

That's if you have already made your millions off the Internet. If not,
you can still get sharp, beautiful images from a camera that is easy to
use and will last a good long time. On a tight budget, I would buy a:

Leica Minilux Zoom
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=573

Canon Elph (APS)
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=109

Yashica T-4 Zoom
http://www.betterphoto.com/reviews/reviewItemDetail.asp?reviewItemID=1770


*****
Ask a question of your own or answer a few from your fellow photographers:
http://www.betterphoto.com/qnaTOC.asp


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Until next week, enjoy shooting!

Thank you,
Jim Miotke
BetterPhoto.com

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