(Click here for some scenes
from February's meeting)
Here are
New Account Information Sheet and
Blanket
Certificate of Exemption forms for your visit to West Shore for matting and
framing. If you print them, fill them out, and bring them with you, they
can have your account set up before you arrive!
West Shore is a family-owned
wholesale distributor and importer founded in 1985 by
President Betty Lou Curatolo and Vice-President Mary
Jane Curatolo. They specialize in their Superior
Chop Service® for picture frame mouldings. West
Shore provides wholesale picture framing services as
well as wood mouldings, photo frames, readymade frames,
mat boards, custom mat cutting, mount boards, custom
mounting, metal moulding, picture framing glass and
acrylic, supplies, and equipment. West Shore
services photography studios, art galleries, picture
framers, museums, professional artists and crafters,
gift shops, fine retail stores, catalogs, and other
related businesses nationwide. West Shore is a
member of the WDA (Wholesale Distributor Association)
and PPFA (Professional Picture Framers Association).
West Shore is located at 31060 Clemens Road, Westlake,
Ohio 44145. They can be contacted by phone (440)
835-5600, toll-free at 1-800-344-8141, fax (440)
835-8654, or by e-mail
westshore@ameritech.net. Visit their website at
www.westshoredist.com.
This Month's Featured
Links
As you know, "special effects"
are things photographers do to their images afterwards (to correct for poor
photographic craftsmanship, it is often claimed). But we aren't the
only
guilty ones ...
And yet another item from the New York Times, hinting at the
shutdown of Kodak's film business:
Of course SONOPP's PhotoShop Corner, which you can see just below, has
everything a photographer really needs to know about PhotoShop. But in case
you make a mistake or get in trouble, here's a wealth of useful information
about
The History Brush. And we would be remiss in our duties if we
didn't let you know about a really neat FREE
plug-in from
optikVerve Labs. Some of the effects are really cool!
And be sure to use our quick techniques from The Photoshop
Corner, 'cause otherwise...
This month's technique is called "Adding
Punch II," and is yet another method of making an image slightly
more vivid. The original one was entitled "Adding
Punch" and appeared in the January Newsletter.
Below you see an original image (1) and some alternative ways of adding
punch.
The recent
meeting of the Akron Society of Professional Photographers
hosted a recently married couple, another couple that will be
getting married this year, and a third Bride-to-be (without her
fiancê). I came to this meeting with a long list of questions
for our Brides and Grooms and I have recorded those questions
and those of other members as well as the way I interpreted
their answers to each question. My questions were VERY direct
and I have been told that I made at least one of the Brides a
bit uncomfortable with my line of questioning. I asked questions
of these Brides and Grooms in the same direct way that I ask any
of our program speakers. Remember, this is my interpretation of
their responses. Somebody else in attendance that evening may
remember things differently. For the benefit of all of our
membership I thought I would share my observations.
How
important was price in the selection of a wedding
photographer?
Somewhat
What percentage of your total wedding budget was the
wedding photography?
15
– 20%
Did
you choose a photographer who worked a set number of hours
or a more unlimited (all day) coverage?
Unlimited
How
far in advance did you select your wedding photographer?
8
– 10 months
Was it
important that your wedding photographer be a female?
No
How
important was the photographer's credentials and/or
professional memberships in selecting a wedding
photographer?
Not at all.
Completely unaware of photographer credentials. Didn1t even ask
How
important was receiving a high-res CD in selecting a wedding
photographer?
Somewhat
important to very important
Was
the photographer's individual print pricing a factor in your
selection of a wedding photographer?
Yes
Were
you looking for a traditional photographer, photojournalist
or a combination of both?
A combination
of both styles
What
was your expectation for the total number of images to
adequately record your wedding day?
500 – 1000 images
Was it
important that you received your wedding proofs with your
photography package?
Proofs were
good, but thumbnails were okay
Was it
important to have your wedding images posted on a website?
It was very
important to have the images posted on the web
Was it
important to receive a wedding album of your favorite images
from your photographer?
Yes
Did
you choose to receive a traditional wedding album or a
digital/coffee-table style album?
Digital/coffee table album chosen. The perception is that the
digital albums are more sturdy and longer lasting
What
was your expectation regarding how long it would take to see
your proofs and receive your finished wedding album?
Proofs or
thumbnails in 1- 2 weeks, finished album in 2 – 6 months
Did
you choose a studio that used a single photographer or
multiple photographers on your wedding day?
Having two photographers was not as important as having at least
an assistant with the photographer
How
did you find your photographer?
Referrals, the
internet, a Bridal Consultant
How
many studios did you shop?
4
- 5
How
important were internet chat rooms and message boards?
Not really to
not at all
Was
the photographer being full-time a factor in your decision?
No
Did it
matter if the photographer worked out of their home or had a
storefront studio?
No, a storefront studio was not important. In fact, the idea of
a photographer working out of their home had a more personal
appeal
Would
you consider a photographer that met you at a coffee shop or
in your home?
Yes
Was
the equipment the photographer used important?
The exact
equipment was not important, but being digital was important
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