Ok, I'm cheating for the moment... I'm assembling questions relating to this site and the Actions, but for the moment, I'll give you these general Q & A to read from my personal site...

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Is Digital cheaper than film?

While the marginal cost of an image shot digitally may be less than the cost of film, the cost of getting to that stage is quite high for the imagemaker. Aside from the initial $20K-$30K and up in equipment investment, there is a huge investment in time and training to be able to provide a digital service. A better question might be- "Is there more value in digital than film to me as a customer?" The answer to that is a resounding yes! You get the ability for a greater selection of images, far greater ease of selection and production, less potential costs for transport and post-photography production, greater flexibility in previewing selections, obtaining others input and approvals – not to mention that it is a medium that allows and naturally encourages greater creativity.

How long do digital prints last?

As little as a few hours, or as long as a century or more. There are an infinite number of print production combinations and sales ads don't necessarily take into account your best interests. There are choices that affect color, durability, longevity and cost. By dealing with a knowledgable professional you can be assured that your prints or display images will best serve your interests.

I tried digital images a while ago and the results weren’t good.

That's quite likely. In the recent past, the hype for digital methods has been so great that many were tempted to use them beyond their technical abilities and suffered poor results because of it. Now there is a digital solution for virtually any level of image service requirement, with the possibilities and options to customers being both inspiring and intimidating at the same time.

My printer says that the files aren't big enough.

Size isn’t everything..., at least at first glance anyways... It might depend on the image created and the process that is being undergone – as well as the information being presented. Is it a compressed JPG or RGB file size being referenced? What line screen and print size are necessary for the project? Has the image file already been "sharpened", What camera created the image, What’s the nature of the fine detail, Is there a "source" file available...these are all questions to be addressed before determining final size restraints.

Is the quality better than film?

As always, garbage in – garbage out. At one time, quality digital files could only be achieved by scanning transparencies. Then a knowledgeable operator could work from negatives and often produce superior results from that material –(given that it is inherently less contrasty than transparencies). There are some people with formulas that can give you actual numerical values as to exactly what point digital becomes better than film...Suffice it to say that the quality is as good or better for most applications, and the possibilities far surpass those of film.

Can we use it for the web?

Yes. Right away if you want.

Why does the other photographer say that digital "Isn't there yet"?

As mentioned earlier, there is a lot of time and money that is needed in a digital workflow investment, and not everyone is able or interested in making those investments. Those that choose not to may try to justify their decision in many ways, and especially to their clients. That statement may have been true a few years ago, but it is very much untrue now.

What advantages do I get with Digital?

Choice, Creativity, Efficiency, Speed, in a word: Value

But the magazine says that they need slides...?

And the next magazine may only want prints...You can still do both – directly. No second generation copy work, and when you need prints, They’ll be first generation quality photographic prints as well, as will the separations for your brochure – all the choice is there for when you need it.

If digital is so good and it costs less to do, why is your quote higher than the other guys?

It may seem that way...but keep in mind that there are elements in the photography quotes now that used to be on the pre-press side before, so while it may appear that your photography is higher, your project cost will likely be considerably lower, and with all the added benefits described above

Someone said that bright or light areas are not well reproduced digitally.

Film doesn’t like them much either...both are easily handled in due course through proper exposure and balanced lighting when you work with a professional

My boss says that we need the negatives.

That could be arranged...but why would you want to?... Need a print?... Produce it from our source file...Need an image on press this afternoon three time zones away...we can do that to, and those last minute trade show display prints... no problem – all of which is much easier handled with a phone call than trying to figure out who had the negatives last (usually the boss) at the office...and if you do need to have the files on hand yourself we’ll be happy to prepare them properly for you and your exact needs.

Can I make prints off of the jpg's you sent?

Possibly as a reference image, but unless the files have been prepared for a full quality print and optimized for the specific printer, you won't get the results you require.

What's the difference between Low-res and Hi-res?

The same as between a short bridge and a long bridge – It’s all relative. We regularly operate on image resolutions that are way beyond regular print needs, that are often referred to as High-res – but some web designers might refer to everything other than a thumbnail image as High-res. Resolution is relative to the job it’s being used for.

What's the difference between film and digital?

Night and day...Night and day!...However, as with any good carpenter’s toolchest, both mediums are tools of the photographic trade, and both may have their place in a photographers arsenal.

If Digital is so good, why isn't everybody using it?

It’s new...and it’s scary. That’s it... Oh yeah, and it’s expensive and tough to learn well enough to make it work for our clients without us goofing up in front of them...
Actually, it’s not that tough really, once you get past the fear thing...

What's the difference between RGB and CMYK?

RGB refers to the color palette used to display color electronically, and CMYK is the color palette that is used when it is printed to paper. Believe it or not, all digital devices (cameras, scanners, printers) are actually RGB devices – they just bury the software conversion to CMYK to prevent confusion!

Why should I care about an Unsharp Mask?

Maybe you shouldn’t...then again, how old is that Eyewear Prescription?? Making an image sharp is a natural part of the digital process, it’s another step that was usually hidden from view in the past. It’s a necessary step, that is often calculated automatically when scanning or shooting digitally, but is also a customizable step in the hands of a good operator or photographer. Knowing how and when to use it can make the difference between a 4x6 inch print and a 4x6 foot display mural.

If we paid for the shoot, shouldn't we get all the scans?

Well...there are no scans. Does that make it easier? What there is, is a collection of digital files that are at their purest state, that are ready to be "processed" into exactly what you require, even if that changes - Scans would need to be redone every time for quality results. Our source digital files are not unlike a film negative, in that they are a step in the process and in need of expertise to bring out their full potential.

Why would we pay to have prints made elsewhere when we have a color printer here?

When a hotel is built, there is a lot of thought and consideration that goes into the styling of its’ interiors – the colors of paint and wallpaper, the hues in the fabrics, the subtleties in the furniture...Why would you want to ruin all that time and expertise by showing a bad print that loses all of those details? The same applies to the subtleties of skin tones and clothing in a portrait...if anything it’s even more personal at that stage because that is some real persons face! Our systems are accurately calibrated and properly balanced to all the materials that we use, so that we get the right results, and the most pleasing results, time after time. You’re the client...you invested the money to hire us in the first place, we take as much pride in the final results as you do in your own presentation, and we want to see that you get your money’s worth at every stage of your production. So, you can make prints yourself,... if you really want to...

©2002-05 Craig Minielly MPA, SPA