Digital Imaging On A Shoestring

by Tom Collins

Most of the photographers that hesitate to try digital imaging do so because they perceive it to be very expensive. Let's face it, the price of high-end digital cameras, scanners, and software is enough to put most of us into sticker shock. Additionally, many photographers are reluctant to invest the time to update their skills.

The good news is that most of us already own a computer and consider it an essential tool in the operation and management of our businesses. So, how can a photographer that already owns a computer explore digital imaging on a shoestring? The major problems to be overcome are image input and output. In other words, how do you get the image into the computer and how do you get the image out of the computer. The answer to exploring digital imaging on a shoestring is to mix conventional film based photography with new digital technology.

Image Input

Having a scanner is nice but not essential. Kodak Photo CD is an economical way to input images into the computer. 35mm film scans to Photo CD cost less than $1.35 each. Medium and large format images must be scanned to the Pro Photo CD format. The price of a Pro Photo CD scan is about $14. The file size from the Pro Photo CD is sufficient to write a new 4 x 5 negative.

Because of the large file size and storage capacity, Pro Photo CD is an ideal medium for archiving images. Since the data is digital, there is no loss in quality when the files are duplicated.

Image Output

Once you have input a scanned image and manipulated it, the next step is to output the image. Photo realistic printers are expensive. Many graphics firms will output your digital files for a fee. Dye Sublimation prints are expensive and usually limited to 11 x 17 inches in size. My preference is to have a negative written from my digital file and to make conventional prints. My experience is that a 6 x 7 cm negative is easily capable of being printed to a 20 x 24 size.

Possible Uses For Digital Imaging

Digital Retouching and manipulation
Compositing of images
Adding text and logo's to images

This Months Illustration

This months illustration, Kiss The Sky, was composited from two stock images. The images of the motorcycle rider and the moon were scanned to Pro Photo CD at Dale Laboratories, in Hollywood. The star field was drawn on the computer, and the frame was created with a freeware program called Blade. The digital file was output to a 6 x 7 cm negative at Kim Color Labs ($25). Kiss The Sky earned 2nd Place Unclassified at last months State Print Competition.