What to do with photos
Feb 4, 2014 10:05:11 #
Marn wrote:
There is mention of photogrphers the shoot hundreds of photos a week. After they spend too much of their lives at the computer, what do they do with all of them.
I've been shoot ing for more than 50 years, and lately find myself asking what am I going to do with this picture I'm about to take.
I already have thousands of slides and in my computer.
I've been shoot ing for more than 50 years, and lately find myself asking what am I going to do with this picture I'm about to take.
I already have thousands of slides and in my computer.
I'm getting better at deleting the non-keepers. It is psychologically tough to do, but the more severe your rule on keep vs not-keep the more the quality of those you keep becomes.
Feb 4, 2014 10:07:30 #
antlertwo
Loc: Ballston Spa, New York
Why not set up a website and start selling online and at craft shows? Most of my shots are landscapes and wildlife. I love being outside hiking and experiencing nature at it best. Photography is something that I can do to make it better. Sell your best shots!
Feb 4, 2014 10:17:27 #
Think of them as tools. You have a lot, use some. As for using, I share with friends and family, exhibit some, sell a few. I'd like more exhibiting and selling. May or may not happen. Others will have different "jobs" for our "tools." When we pass away, our "tools" will be taken care of by others, one way or another.
Feb 4, 2014 10:17:55 #
1. You should cull your photos in hopes of developing a more critical eye. Cull(edit)over and over again.
2. Have you ever seen an image that looked as good on a computer as when printed, snapshot or fine art print? I haven't. Print the good ones!
3. I know too many talented photographers, not pros, who just collect their work in a computer. And then rarely go back and look at it. Print!
2. Have you ever seen an image that looked as good on a computer as when printed, snapshot or fine art print? I haven't. Print the good ones!
3. I know too many talented photographers, not pros, who just collect their work in a computer. And then rarely go back and look at it. Print!
Feb 4, 2014 10:29:05 #
photeach
Loc: beautiful Kansas
Marn wrote:
There is mention of photogrphers the shoot hundreds of photos a week. After they spend too much of their lives at the computer, what do they do with all of them.
I've been shoot ing for more than 50 years, and lately find myself asking what am I going to do with this picture I'm about to take.
I already have thousands of slides and in my computer.
I've been shoot ing for more than 50 years, and lately find myself asking what am I going to do with this picture I'm about to take.
I already have thousands of slides and in my computer.
Your dilemma gave me an idea for a similar problem.
My mother was a folk artist and painted hundreds of tin and wooden objects. I have a large collection and a larger collection of her photographs of things she sold. What to do with hundreds of fading photos?
I am going to pull out similar photos, scan them and make an inexpensive photo book. Twenty pages with some multiple photos and a little explanatory copy should meet my objective: To explain my mother's artistry to generations to come. I may do several to show different facets of her work, or work she did for family members. I may make a book of my collection before it gets divided amongst my children.
Isn't this what you want -- to leave a record of a great trip or a great shot you are proud of? Isn't that why we take photos? Despite all technological advances, I think a book is still the most accessible communication with the future.
The first one will be the most laborious, and you'll have to remind yourself that you won't cover everything, just the high points. And if you really get anal about it, you can load your originals with a few (I SAID A FEW) extras on an SD card and put it in a plastic pocket in the back of your book.
I am so excited about this idea that I may use part of my precious snow day today (10 inches expected) to sort out some photos. Good luck to you!
Feb 4, 2014 10:30:38 #
photeach
Loc: beautiful Kansas
Bunko.T wrote:
My grandfather took hundreds of B&W pics nearl... (show quote)
Have you thought about presenting some to your local historical society?
Feb 4, 2014 10:38:48 #
I was doing art shows and exhibitions for 6 years. After Feb 2013 I decided to concentrate more on the professional end by doing more weddings, portraits and family sessions. Now I have a bunch of prints laying around. So why did I switch. I enjoy doing professional photography being able to provide good results for clients. Either way I don't make a lot of money. I do it for the enjoyment, and the compensation helps me buy better equipment.
Taking a picture and developing an image that people enjoy looking at, or owning, gives me a lot of satisfaction, and makes it all worth it.
Taking a picture and developing an image that people enjoy looking at, or owning, gives me a lot of satisfaction, and makes it all worth it.
Feb 4, 2014 10:39:27 #
As I see this problem, it is not a storage of the media issue,but the ability to read it.
Most of us who have "done" photography for years have drawers and boxes full of Kodacholor & Kodachrome negatives that we can no longer get printed; B & W negatives that can't be scanned without some special & expensive equipment, followed by 5 1/4" floppy disks & 3.5 even today's 'modern' digital technology will eventually become obsolete.
That said I still have some prints of my grand and great-grand parents taken int 1880 and early 1800's in old albums. If you want future generations to have & see today's prints when they get to middle ages and older, I think prints and good storage is the only way; unfortunately that takes more space. Maybe the best solution is to review all those prints now, throw out or give to museums all the ones of people you don't recognize, the label and archive the rest. Of course you may do a lot of work to save photos that may not have any interest for them :cry:, but at least they won't have as much to throw out!
Most of us who have "done" photography for years have drawers and boxes full of Kodacholor & Kodachrome negatives that we can no longer get printed; B & W negatives that can't be scanned without some special & expensive equipment, followed by 5 1/4" floppy disks & 3.5 even today's 'modern' digital technology will eventually become obsolete.
That said I still have some prints of my grand and great-grand parents taken int 1880 and early 1800's in old albums. If you want future generations to have & see today's prints when they get to middle ages and older, I think prints and good storage is the only way; unfortunately that takes more space. Maybe the best solution is to review all those prints now, throw out or give to museums all the ones of people you don't recognize, the label and archive the rest. Of course you may do a lot of work to save photos that may not have any interest for them :cry:, but at least they won't have as much to throw out!
Feb 4, 2014 10:42:14 #
Marn wrote:
There is mention of photogrphers the shoot hundreds of photos a week. After they spend too much of their lives at the computer, what do they do with all of them.
I've been shoot ing for more than 50 years, and lately find myself asking what am I going to do with this picture I'm about to take.
I already have thousands of slides and in my computer.
I've been shoot ing for more than 50 years, and lately find myself asking what am I going to do with this picture I'm about to take.
I already have thousands of slides and in my computer.
Did you feel the same remorse when you snapped your first photo? What were you feeling then? What were your motivations then? Why did you take your first shot? I have several friends who get as excited about their 1000th photo as they did the first time they saw their own handiwork. Maybe your 50 years has been spent in preparation for you to snap that "perfect" shot? How many of those might you have already taken? If you have all these pictures on your computer, how do you view them? How often? Pictures are memories frozen in time. They all tell a story, isn't that the reason they are?
Feb 4, 2014 10:48:19 #
I have had a similar experience. Years ago I took many, many SLR photos. I ended up with uncounted cassettes of slides that I looked at once when they were developed and then never again. About 30 years ago I realized the folly in that so I quit photography. In the vast majority of my travels I never carried a camera and just relied on my mind to recall the pleasant memories.
A few years ago I picked up a point and shoot digital and stuck it in my pocket on several trips, primarily cruises, but really never really had my heart in it because the images just lived on my computer after I viewed them. Recently, I acquired a DSLR and have begun again. I still just put the images on the computer with little thought to filing and modification. I've added various lenses and paraphernalia and enjoy the different effects that I capture but I know that the technology and the act of shooting is what attracts me, not the accumulation of millions of pixels.
Bob
A few years ago I picked up a point and shoot digital and stuck it in my pocket on several trips, primarily cruises, but really never really had my heart in it because the images just lived on my computer after I viewed them. Recently, I acquired a DSLR and have begun again. I still just put the images on the computer with little thought to filing and modification. I've added various lenses and paraphernalia and enjoy the different effects that I capture but I know that the technology and the act of shooting is what attracts me, not the accumulation of millions of pixels.
Bob
Feb 4, 2014 11:00:10 #
First of all, edit out the weak shots in your camera before loading into your Computer.
During Film days I took lots of Photos of friends...parties, trips, etc., before everyone had cameras. On Wedding invitations, I offered a present, be part of a Party or take photos of Rehearsal dinner, but leave before dinner to save Hostess $. If they have a Pro for that night, I do not offer. I give 90% of my photos to the subjects. NOW, with digital, in lieu of 18 cents a copy, I have processor mail them to me for 9 cents. I smile when friends tell me how much they have appreciated these remembrances over the years. I always put small sticker on rear with my name & date for benefit of their heirs.
During Film days I took lots of Photos of friends...parties, trips, etc., before everyone had cameras. On Wedding invitations, I offered a present, be part of a Party or take photos of Rehearsal dinner, but leave before dinner to save Hostess $. If they have a Pro for that night, I do not offer. I give 90% of my photos to the subjects. NOW, with digital, in lieu of 18 cents a copy, I have processor mail them to me for 9 cents. I smile when friends tell me how much they have appreciated these remembrances over the years. I always put small sticker on rear with my name & date for benefit of their heirs.
Feb 4, 2014 11:38:34 #
Marn wrote:
There is mention of photogrphers the shoot hundreds of photos a week. After they spend too much of their lives at the computer, what do they do with all of them.
I've been shoot ing for more than 50 years, and lately find myself asking what am I going to do with this picture I'm about to take.
I already have thousands of slides and in my computer.
I've been shoot ing for more than 50 years, and lately find myself asking what am I going to do with this picture I'm about to take.
I already have thousands of slides and in my computer.
Had the same problem with literally thousands of family images . . . enter the digital frame which now sports over 6,000 images in the form of an ongoing slide show. Parked next to the TV it is enjoyed by all. I up-grade it every few months.
Feb 4, 2014 12:07:02 #
I wouldn't worry about what you want to do with them. It is the act of "taking" the photograph. The end results is what counts. "Am I happy with the results of the shot"? Was the composition just right. Did the exposure turned out as i planned. I could go on but it all comes down to did I like the results of the final image. For me people can tell me that was a great shot. But if I don't like the results then to me people's positive comments will not make the photograph any better.
Feb 4, 2014 12:31:55 #
Marn wrote:
There is mention of photogrphers the shoot hundreds of photos a week. After they spend too much of their lives at the computer, what do they do with all of them.
I've been shoot ing for more than 50 years, and lately find myself asking what am I going to do with this picture I'm about to take.
I already have thousands of slides and in my computer.
I've been shoot ing for more than 50 years, and lately find myself asking what am I going to do with this picture I'm about to take.
I already have thousands of slides and in my computer.
Hey, I kinda agree with you. I have so many pictures on my computer it takes me an hour to find the one i'm looking for, sometimes more. :( :( :oops:
Feb 4, 2014 12:38:17 #
Marn wrote:
There is mention of photogrphers the shoot hundreds of photos a week. After they spend too much of their lives at the computer, what do they do with all of them.
I've been shoot ing for more than 50 years, and lately find myself asking what am I going to do with this picture I'm about to take.
I already have thousands of slides and in my computer.
I've been shoot ing for more than 50 years, and lately find myself asking what am I going to do with this picture I'm about to take.
I already have thousands of slides and in my computer.
In my case, I keep the photos just for myself. A way to look back at things. I know that when I'm gone, my photos will be too. It takes some work just to keep your digital files alive. Drives die, new forms of storage come on line and old ones go obsolete. I used to store many photos on 3 1/2" discs. Now, even 1 photo won't fit. Zip drives have come and gone. I had a tape backup which was a flash in a pan. If you don't work at keeping your files on current media, will eventually end up that the only way to present them would be that decide residing in a museum.
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