photography students Archives - Paterson Photography Ltd.

External Hard Drives – WARNING

March 12, 2019May 22, 2019 by Mike

I am a BIG advocate of using external hard drives to store your images and data. This is of course in addition to other back-up sources. Things such as DVD’s, extra external hard drives and additional computers.

External Hard Drives

New Drive

Recently I went out and bought another external hard drive. Picked up a Lacie to transfer all my nature pictures to. That way I would have them in one place and be able to take it with me when I am on the road without taking other files. Spent a Saturday night and part of Sunday transferring and organizing the new drive. I have several other Lacie drives as back-ups and have had no problems to date. Then I took the to the studio to download the files there.

I plugged the drive into one of the studio computers and watched as it said “New Drive Detected”, “Installing Hardware”, “New Device is now ready to use”. Then I clicked on My Computer to find that the device is not there. Tried a second computer then a third, all with the same results.

That not good

I was finally able to locate the drive through a couple of backdoor routes and found that the drive was running. But after a lot of research I found that even with the computer recognizing the drive it was not accessible. After looking into it I found out that it is the way the drive was set-up from the factory.

So a word of warning, if you have an external drive that you are using make sure that it is readable on other computers! You should do this ASAP!!! I would actually try several computers to make sure if your computer should die, or be upgraded, that the external drive is accessible.

Check your drives NOW!!!

Again as a word of warning, if you have an external drive check it on another computer ASAP to make sure that it can be read, before you need the drive to work and it doesn’t. This is one of those issues that if you find out when you have a computer problem it is too late!!!

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Camera Cards

February 18, 2019March 27, 2019 by Mike

Camera Cards – Are they archival?

Another thing that I am asked by a lot of people is “How archival are digital camera cards”? People wonder if they should fill up a camera card then store it and buy a new one. I was not sure so I contacted Sandisk and asked this question and the response is below.

Question:

How archival are your digital camera cards?

Answer:

Hello Mike, Thank you for contacting SanDisk Technical Support. It is our goal to make sure you have all the resources you need to get the most from your product. Let me assist you with your concern. The files/pictures can retain on the card for 10 years, without using the card again, meaning just for storing the card. If you are continuously using the card, like adding more and more pictures (when taking using the camera), please understand that there is no guarantee that those pictures will never going to be corrupted. Data corruptions on the card can happen any time on all storage device, (Cards, Flash drives, MP3 player, and including the Hard Disk drive). Should you have further concerns, please do not hesitate to reply to this message. Best regards, SanDisk Technical Support

So I would say that it is still the best practice to get the images off the cards. Shot, download then back-up and reformat the card. If you do want to keep the image on the cards I would still download and back-up. Then store the cards in a safe place like a safety deposit box or at a friends house.

Camera Cards Archival?

The biggest issue with digital media, unlike film, is that it does not fade. It just corrupts! So if you take a card out in ten years and it is damaged that is it.

Be Safe…. PRINT!

I still say that the best way in addition to backing up your images is to print them. When they are printed you are not relying on technology to keep your images viable. I scan more prints than I do negatives or slides as people can find their prints. It is not perfect but it is better to have something to look back on even if it is fading a little.

Printing services

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Adjust images in PhotoShop

March 11, 2019March 6, 2019 by Mike

Using layers to adjust images in Photoshop

I am often asked what is the best way to adjust images in Photoshop? So I thought it deserved a post on the blog to help you get the best images when editing.

Question: How do you do color and density corrections in Photoshop?

Answer: I use adjustment layers whenever possible. Why? If you use adjustment layers then save the file as a PSD you can go back and see what you have done. You can make small adjustments from the last place that you adjusted without starting over. And finally if you get one image looking great and you have a number of others that need the same adjusting then you can drag the adjustment layer to other images.

So how do I do this?

1 – Open your image

2 – Select Adjustment layer (see picture below)

Photography Locations Lethbridge

February 26, 2019June 14, 2018 by Mike

Photography Locations Lethbridge

Often I am asked about photography locations in Lethbridge. Over the years I found many public or semi private locations that you can use without booking or paying. Then lately I started to noticed that a lot are starting to charge. As one person said to me. “We did let photographers use our space but they became to demanding so now we will regulate it and charge”.

In the following list I have contacted each one to check on any requirements. I am not including private locations as this changes so fast, will keep it to ones that most clients ask about.

If you find a location that is not on the list please let me know.

When using any location please be a professional. The actions of a few bad apples effects all of us. If we keep getting banned soon we will be without some of the great spots we have come to love.

I have had a couple mentions about nudity and questionable shoots. The general response to this is that all these locations are public places and photographers need to respect that. No nudity is acceptable if the location is open. A couple places suggested that if you require nudity that you should book the entire place off hours. Of course the cost is substantially higher.

Will update as I get more information……. (Updated February 20, 2019)

Locations

Galt Museum

$50 per hour or part thereof
NO prebooking
Must provide a business card with payment
An assortment of rules that apply about furniture and use of the area – inquire at the Galt

Casa

$35 per hour
Requires prebooking – If space available
MUST provide a copy of insurance
Must fill out booking form
NO studio lighting in the Atrium, on camera flash only

Sandman (formally the Lodge)

$30 per hour
Book in advance preferred
NO shooting on the pool deck

Helen Schuler Nature Center – Roof top Garden

$10 for 15 minutes or $35 per hour
Prefer 2 weeks notice but will do with less
No studio lights
Maximum of 50 people

Research Station

Free for pictures
Opens for booking on January 2 for each year.
To guarantee a spot you must book in advance
When booking a contract must be signed
Have been told that they do not allow photos when the station is open. Will check into that.

Japanese Garden

Wedding up to 15 people $150 for 2 hours
Family $75 for up to 10 people
Couple $50
Prebooking is required before your event and you must follow the rules of the garden. If unsure of the rules check when booking.

Lethbridge Parks

Be respectful
Parks are first come first served
Do not damage plants or property

University of Lethbridge

They do rent out banquet, ballroom and meeting space but the use of the grounds seems to be in question for just pictures. If you can get a contact I can talk to with the info I would love to but it seems to fall between the different groups and not regulated. Booking without a contact seems impossible.

Lethbridge College

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Just Google it!

February 6, 2019May 23, 2018 by Mike

I hear so often about people that put all their faith in what Google tells them. If something is wrong they Google it. If they want to know how to do something they Google it. I do the same thing when I am stuck I do it with a lot of caution. It is not just Google that can be an issue it is any place that offers free information. Or FREE courses and classes.

The other day I listened to a guest on the radio tell about the pitfalls of listening to on-line results about medical diagnoses. He was saying how much someone can be messed up by the results. If you want to know how bad it is just Google something like “Red bump on arm” and see the results. Anything from a cancerous growth, to a steph infection, to a poisonous spider bite when all it was was a mosquito bite.

Storm chasing season is coming!!

December 24, 2018April 18, 2018 by Mike

I love chasing storms!!!

I am not a fan when storms come and chase me, but if I can go after them it is AMAZING!!!! Below is some information on my storm chasing gear so you can be ready when things heat up!

BEFORE I START A WARNING!!!

It is great to get some amazing storm pictures but be careful!!! If you are not familiar with storms find someone to go out with for the first few times or take a course. No picture is work a death!!

Lightning Set-ups

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