Shooting Outside Gallery

Give your opinion in the Comments section below after signing up. Our readers want to know how you feel. For those of you who'd rather not sign up answer the poll in the column to the right. I've created a typical scenario which I've discussed with many photographers over time who've shared their talent alongside starving artist status. The discussion is almost always the same, ENP (Every New Photographer) seems to feel the need to give freely of their skills in order to gain business. After all how do you get business without giving a little? The discussion usually goes something like this. RCPhotos: So when does one start charging for your photography skills? Do you? ENP: Oh I'm new at this so when a friend asked if I'd take a few shots of their new baby I said sure, no problem. My idea was that they'd see some really good results and maybe pass my name around. RCphotos: How did it go? ENP: Well they said they'd tell everyone they knew but af

A photographer recently asked about the size of her image files when uploading. Her need was in producing larger prints. Her concern was the enormous size of the files and the time it takes to upload. She was getting 100-200MB files once converted to sRGB from an original 10MB RAW file, twice that size if converted to TIFF or PSD, when working in 16 Bit. RAW files are what they are, unconverted image data. Their size is the size which the camera sensor is capable of capturing, so if your sensor has a 10MP or a 12MP sensor it will roughly produce a RAW capture about that size. Converting to a JPG, a TIFF or a PSD will then produce a file size as managed by the Bit size you are working with. If working in 16 Bit you'll get an image file somewhat close to 5-7 times original RAW capture, and if working in 8 Bit you'll get a file 2-3 times the RAW capture. These are always approximates because of many factors of software and hardware but one can guestimate in this range. Clearly