Thursday, March 22, 2007

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Updates From BetterPhoto

Photo Q&A

1: Turn Over Copyright for Pay?

I have been asked by a company to work this summer taking pictures at various softball/baseball tournaments. They have agreed to pay me comission as well as an hourly wage. This would be an awesome experience for me. The only thing is that they want the copyrights to my pictures since I am being paid both commission and hourly. Should I sign over my copyrights? Please reply.

ANSWER 1:

Amanda,
IMHO, and as long as you are the main photographer, you should not give away your rights to those photos. You stand to lose money on future usage of the photos. It will devalue your future work as a photographer and could make you look like a push-over.
Then there is the issue of reprints being made of your photos that are not of the quality you would use. People see shoddy work with your name on it, and you build a reputation.
Perhaps you might be able to negotiate with the company - based on the amount of money you stand to make - on the usage rights of the photos. You may be able to find some middle ground that will work for both you and the company you will be shooting for.
Above all though, GET IT IN WRITING! You don't have a leg to stand on without it.

ANSWER 2:

If the pay is good, you can consider selling the whole gig complete with NON-EXCLUSIVE copyrights. Meaning:
1) They can use those commissioned photos for whatever purpose/application they like, except selling them to third parties, or claiming someone else but you made them; and ...
2) You can still use them (e.g., for your own marketing/promotion), but not sell them a second or third time to other parties.
But, whatever you agree, like Todd said, PUT IT IN WRITING!

2: ProShowGold - File Sizes and Matting Look

Hi,
I use ProShowGold and am trying to put together a slide show, but am wanting to make my photos look matted by using Canvas Size in Photoshop to add a white mat around the photos. What size should I make the photos and what size should I make the canvas matt so they all are the same size? I am making a DVD slideshow if that makes a difference. Thank you all for your help and responses. I really appreciate it.

ANSWER 1:

Hi Michele,
Nice discussion going on here!
Kerry

P.S. to Everyone,
Jon Canfield teaches an excellent 4-week online course on the subject of
Digital Slide Shows.

ANSWER 2:

Hi -
I've replied directly to Michele, but she has graciously allowed me to use her beautiful image and post here as well - for everyone else to learn from.
I went under the assumption that your output resolution for the show is 1024x768 – this is a good compromise for either monitor or TV and will scale well in ProShow.

1. To begin, I resized the image to 800x600.
2. Now, select Image > Canvas Size and change the pop-up to pixels. Now, enter 1024 for the width, and 768 for the height. I don't use the relative checkbox for this since I want a specific mat size regardless of the image dimensions. Leave the anchor point on the center box so that the canvas is extended equally.
The first image shows a screen shot of my Canvas size settings.
3. This next step is if you want a drop shadow to give it more of a mat effect. Drag a selection rectangle around the image portion of your new canvas. Add a new layer by selecting Layer > New Layer > Levels (anything will work, you aren't going to make any changes so the image remains the same.
4. Now click on the Layer style button in the Layers palette. It's the second icon and looks like an "f". In this dialog, select Drop Shadow. I change the size and angle to be something that looks good.
The second shot shows the settings I used for the drop shadow.
5. Finally, flatten your image by selecting Layer > Flatten Image.

The final image show the photo with the mat and drop shadow applied to it. Again, thanks to Michele for allowing me to use her image here.
That's it! You can see a sample of this type mat in use on a show of mine that is featured on the Photodex Web site:
http://www.photodex.com/sharing/spotlight/demoshows_canfield.html

ANSWER 3:

Thank you so much Jon for your help and instructions. My photos are coming along nicely with your instructions... :):):)

3: Does Anyone Use These Umbrellas?

White Translucent Shoot-Through Umbrellas ... I have just bought 2 with a digital lighting kit and wanted to know the best way to use them. Thank you in advance!

ANSWER 1:

Hi Aileen,
I use umbrellas like this in small spaces to take architectural shots. You can also use these umbrellas as a bounce umbrella, but without a black cover, you get a lot of light bouncing around your set and this can be a problem. My favorite umbrellas are 45 to 60 inch white satin umbrellas with a black cover to prevent spill.
Thanks.

ANSWER 2:

I first started using umbrellas more that thirty years ago. Back then, everyone set them up as bounce, rather than shoot-through. Except in small spaces, I still do. With a shoot-through umbrella, you get a lot of light coming out both sides. This can cause reflection problems. This is why I prefer umbrellas with black backing: less light spread.

4: Shutter Speed Vs. Aperture

Besides controlling light, shutter speed also controls what?
Besides controlling light, an aperture also controls what?

ANSWER 1:

Hi Christina,
Shutter speed records the way action is displayed. A long shutter speed smears action together, while a short shutter speed stops action.
The aperture controls the amount of area in sharp focus - which is called depth of field. If you focus at 5 feet from the camera, a large aperture will give you sharp focus at just 5 feet. If you took the same picture at a small aperture, you might be in focus from 4 feet to 7 feet, depending on your aperture.
You might want to look at my article for more information:
Photography Exposure Basics: Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO
Thanks,
John Siskin

5: Camera Care in Low Temperatures

I am trying to find a digital camera with IS and long zoom that works between 1 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit. I was interested in the Canon S3IS, but it works only above 32 degrees F. Do you know of any camera that will work below that temperature. Thanks. Gisela

ANSWER 1:

It's not that the S3, or any other digital camera, will just quit at 31°F and lower. It will continue to work, but it will just gradually become less responsive. You can use it in lower temperatures, but you just have to take precautions to keep it warm, such as keeping it close to your body under your coat.
The biggest problem is that battery power decreases precipitously with temperature. Take extra sets and keep them in a warm pocket. Switch them out when they appear to lose power. Conserve power by leaving the LCD turned off. The sensor and memory will work better in low temperatures, but the LCD is literally liquid and can freeze and be damaged.