I wrote this letter to a friend who also edits video (as I have, since 1972) and it’s regarding the fact that some professional editors have become irrational when discussing Apple’s new Final Cut Pro X (“ten” not “ex”) editing software. FCPX is a version 1 release, and is missing several features pros need, and […]

I’m frequently asked to name “the best” paper for fine-art inkjet printing. (And, please, let’s call it what it is: “inkjet” or “pigment print” and not “giclee” which is way too affected – like “faux” pearls.) This is, actually, an complex and “non-trivial” question, and I’ve considered doing a day-long seminar on this one subject […]

I’ve been a teacher and an author and taking photos on and off for over 50 years now. Also as a programmer of some 35 years experience, I’m more than a little familiar with things digital, and how they work. And I’ve got to say, some of the new self-proclaimed experts in photography, especially those […]

… is far less trouble now that I’ve applied this stuff: www.nu-screen.com …which is advertised for iPods, iPads and iPhones, but “works a treat” on my cameras as well. Heck, I’ve even used it on my eyeglasses. (It repels oil, such as from your fingers, or cheeks, and at the very least, makes cleaning it […]

“Phil and Dave’s Excellent CD – the beta version.”  That’s when I started using CDs, then burning them, and then  DVDs and BluRays. (“Phil & Dave’s” was the first data CD, released by Apple in 1989 (I believe.) I still have my copy around here somewhere. As a multimedia developer, I have since burned 10s […]

I recently attended a webinar by a well-known and published author (who shall remain nameless.) I had to give up paying full attention however when he said, regarding raw files: use the sRGB color space; use 8-bit images; using white paper for color balance “in a pinch” is OK “just watch for burn out in […]

Most folks I know who print their own images on Epson printers say “skip the 2880 since it uses twice the ink, and there’s no difference in the detail.” In fact, you’ll find this repeated constantly by most online pundits and magazine article authors. Well…. … it uses about 10% more ink, not “twice the […]

The advice column of a national photographic magazine responded to a fellow who wrote for help, complaining that his prints were tinted blue. He explained that he was using a new 27″ iMac, and an Epson R320 printer. Now admittedly these are not optimum equipment for making prints, but the columnist’s advice was “…trade in […]

Happy New Year to one and all! The generally accepted “best” viewing bulb for prints are from Solux. They have no peaks in the viewing spectrum, thus allowing an even illuminant. The Solux products are used world-wide in galleries and museums. This post isn’t going into detail about the subject of viewing conditions, but merely […]

The basic reason you see your prints come out too dark is simple: your screen is too bright! I’m not being silly here; that’s the solution to about 90% of the cases (assuming you know how to calibrate a monitor, that is.) The iMac is a frequently cited culprit here: it’s not possible to get […]