Think About the Future...Please!
Jan 27 '02
The Bottom Line Digital cameras are fun and useful, but there is more to it than what you see on TV! Protect your images, think ahead.
Before you continue; some of you may think that I have written this out of complete self-interest (and therefore may be inclined to “bend the truth”) because of the perception that digital cameras must be taking away my business, as many people have asked. This is simply not true; I am very happy to report that my business increased in 2001, even with events in September, the loss of 200-300 customers who moved and with the presence of digital cameras. This can only be explained by the fact that virtually all of my business comes from people who simply want quality photos, honest information and consistent service. I am not an advocate against digital cameras; I myself have three! My only purpose in writing this is for people to understand what using a digital camera may mean, especially if they don’t think about the image, before pressing the shutter button. Most people don’t know how important a picture is, until they no longer have it! This is my concern; unfortunately it has already started to happen.
Lately, and increasingly more often, it has been my experience that with the revolution of the home based "digital dark-room," the level of consumer’s expectations for quality has been significantly reduced. What the average individual may deem acceptable, or even great from their home printer, they would likely think is sub-standard or even terrible coming from an actual photo lab; they would rightfully demand an explanation and probably refuse to pay for it. Understandably, if you just spent $300-$900 for a digital camera, you are going to expect great results. Therefore, with most people, no matter what the result out of the home ink-jet printer, the reaction varies from, "it's great," or "well, its good enough," to "if you hold it two feet away, it looks fine," etc. Forget the fact that depending on the camera and printer, the skin tones may be off, you can see very fine lines through people's faces, the pixels may be visible, and moreover, that the prints won't last nearly as long as the memory, especially if not properly stored; for example, in a frame next to a window.
While simple everyday snap shots taken with digital cameras are fun, my concern (and experience) is that many people are taking these cameras to family reunions, weddings, birthdays, and funerals, etc. These are important events that most people want to archive for later generations. Unfortunately, as many of my customers are finding out, getting a truly good print is virtually impossible if the camera was not set with printing in mind. Therefore, that person has a picture that is only suitable for monitor viewing. More alarming, is that regardless of the file size or resolution, the image most likely won’t remain accessible on the computer, CD, Zip Disc, etc, because computer technology changes regularly. Think about what has changed in the last 5 to10 years. What about 20, 50 or 100 years? If you only have digital images stored on a PC or computer media, almost certainly you will not have those images years later. If the file size allows for it, I strongly recommend making prints of some sort from all digital images to ensure their longevity.
As of yet no digital camera exists on Planet Earth that can reproduce the same image you can get from a good exposure on regular film. This is the plain truth!(But, you can come pretty close if you spend $20,000!) Film has the ability of producing an infinite number of colors, superb clarity and detail, first on the negative, and ultimately on a print. Digital Cameras however, cannot truly duplicate the color, contrast, or clarity offered by film. In addition, different brands of digital cameras can harbor vastly different results, especially in regards to color and the level of detail.
I also need to address the myths about "photo paper" and ink-jet prints. "Photo paper" that can be purchased for ink-jet printers at office supply stores etc, is NOT the same paper that you receive when you use regular film and have it processed. When you use film, the pictures you receive from a photo lab are produced using true photographic paper and chemistry. However, if you choose to print a photo at home, using "photo paper" and an ink jet printer, you are getting two things, the "photo paper," and the ink that is put on that paper. The "photo paper" is simply paper, and the ink can fade relatively quickly compared to true photos. In regards to the paper, the term "archival" is being applied very broadly. This simply means that the ink-jet paper is acid free and will not degrade the same as general use paper. “Archival” paper does not mean that the ink on that paper will remain unchanged for long lengths of time, certainly not a lifetime, especially if the image is displayed in any way. As for printers, when a printer is said to have 1200 dpi, this does not mean that it will add resolution to your 72dpi digital image. Ink-Jet printers layer 4 inks (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) to make a solid dot of color. Divide 1200 by those 4 drops of ink, and you really get 300 dots (of ink) per inch; but again, we’re talking ink, not pixels. Due to its very nature, it is impossible for an ink-jet print to mimic the same color, clarity, detail and longevity of traditional photos.
Digital Cameras do have their place and serve many good purposes. For instance, if you use it for importing images into a web-site, a Digital Camera can be of great use. This user most likely will be proficient in computers etc, and will know what settings are best for their image. Also, if you need images temporarily for a flyer, or an advertisement or for another general business purpose, these cameras will be an effective choice. Digital Cameras are used everyday by members of the press for newspaper publications and web-site uploads. It is also very common for Realtors and insurance adjusters to use digital cameras, as they don’t require images to last for decades.
Fortunately, as Digital Camera technology improves and the storage capabilities of Smart Media and similar memory cards are enhanced, so will the method of printing those images. In the near future, photo labs will be acquiring "digital labs" that are capable of printing images taken with Digital Cameras while being able to output those images on traditional photographic paper, resulting in an image that will remain stable for an entire lifetime and beyond. Film users need not worry, as you will still be able to get your prints the “old-fashioned” way too! Regardless of what you hear in advertising, film will be around for a very long time to come. Film users will also see their services improved to include red-eye removal, under and overexposure corrections, background and foreground lighting compensations, skin-tone enhancements and much more.
Remember that what you see on TV or in any sort of advertising is simply that, advertising. It doesn’t mean that it’s true. There is a TREMENDOUS amount of hype swarming around digital imaging, and majority of it is very misleading. There are a good many companies that have produced big budget ads on TV that are blatant lies. Then there are some that simply advertise the cameras, without embellishing the truth.
I implore everyone to do their own research into the longevity of digital files and ink-jet prints. I think that when you truly look into it, you will learn that there is a lot more to it that just pressing a button or popping out a print at home. If you truly care about your photos, you owe it to yourself to learn more about this amazing, yet relatively new technology. You may be shocked!
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