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Why go digital?
The bulk of my work is in studio product and set
type photography
as the pictures on the right show.
Depending on the set-up, I'll do anything up to 20 pictures a day,
This means a hell of a film and processing bill at the end of the month.
Granted, the costs are passed on to the client but why incur them at all?
With digital photography, there are
no polaroids, no film costs, no heavy lab bills,
and another big plus, no waiting for results.
Often a picture ends up being deep-etched
With digital images the designer/artist now comes to the studio on the shoot
with a layout and etches the shots while I set up the next picture.
Saves more time and the client is even happier!
At the end of a shoot, all the pictures are ready, no waiting, no fuss!
I burn a CD, dump onto an Optical or, if it's one or two images, give 'em a Zip Disk
and off they go, more time saved.
Image quality.
Can digital imaging match the quality
of conventional film?
Three independant tests by the Swedish
magazine Photografi, the US magazine PEI and the Japanese printing company Dai Nippon
have proved conclusively that a Phase One digital camera back produces a superior
quality image to 4x5 trannie film.
Check it out
for yourself at Phase One's website.
A digital image (shot to size, etc)
is ready for separation plates, etc.
A transparency or print still has to be scanned by the repro house, retouched if
necessary,
colour corrected and then off to separations.
If the scanner/operator's having a bad day, you're up the creek.
As far as colour corrections go, on the rare occassions I've had a problem,
it can be adjusted right there and then, once again, a major time-saver.
Which digital system?
I chose Phase One for a couple of reasons.
The primary one being they have excellent
back-up in South Africa with Fotoquip
who also distribute Sinar, Bron, Hasselblad etc.
Others are as follows: No special lighting
required, I use the modelling lights on my Bron system and so retain all lighting
creativity.
No special camera required, I use my
existing Hasselblad bodies and lenses,
retaining the image quality and lens selection I'm used to.
The back also fits on my Sinar 4x5
with an adapter so I've got camera movements if needed,
Ease of use. The software with the system is a breeze.
It's easier than the programming on a modern 35mm SLR.
Phase One also constantly update the stuff and keep you informed
with what's happening.
I'm sure I've left some stuff out but I think that covers what I have to say.
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