Post-Processing
Whether you use a digital camera or a 35mm film camera, somewhere along the line the image becomes digital. The one hour processors are all based on scanning the film and printing from this digital file. Its much like printing from your desktop computer, well, if you have a $50,000 desktop printer. Even fine art gallery prints are being made on digital printers.
This is good news for all of us. The one hour processor has to scan anyway, so that for a few dollars you can also get a CD with the digital images on them. You can have the original negative for archive purposes, and a digital image to use with current technology. These are great for web, presentations, and when handled properly can even become a brochure cover.
Software.
To use the digital images images you will need software for viewing and editing. You may have some of this software on your computer. Most operating systems provide software with basic capabilities. If you choose to do your own post-processing, you will need software than can:
- Correct colors
- Correct light balance
- Change the image resolution
- Crop the image
- Change contrast
Advanced Software.
Software is available in packages for minor corrections to packages that are used by full-time graphic artists. Prices vary considerably. We recommend two Adobe Products. Adobe Elements will provide most everything you need when dealing with photographs for presentation and web. Adobe Photoshop is the graphic industry standard with enough flexibility to handle any need. Your web designer or other graphic artist may be able to handle photo editing for you.
Pictures for Print.
When using the photographs for print, the images must be provided to the printer in a format specific to their equipment. These specs are completely different that those used for web or video projection. This is true whether the printer is in your home town, or a trade magazine. You can hand the printer your slide or negative and they can process it for you at additional charge. We recommend that you ask the printer for their spec sheet, and have your own image manipulation done. That way either you or your graphic artist can color correct, size, and crop properly.