NEW!   Extended Focus Imaging with Helicon Focus (web page)
Robin Myers, Applications Specialist, Better Light, Inc.
An introduction to Helicon Focus; a software program that combines multiple images with varied focus points to create a completely focused composite photograph. Designed originally for the limited depth-of-focus in macro photography, Helicon Focus can also be a valuable tool for product photography and a solution for some challenging art reproduction subjects.

NEW!   Tabletop Focus Challenge...Solved with Helicon Focus Software (web page)
Larry Guyer, Photographer and Consultant, A la Carte Digital Studios
A real-world example using Helicon Focus to maintain edge-to-edge sharpness on a series of tiny Hot Wheels® toy cars that would be enlarged 16 times life size for large trade show banners.

 Color Accurate Digital Photography of Artworks (PDF 1.2MB)
Robin Myers, Applications Specialist, Better Light, Inc.
In the world of photography, some colors are not reproduced accurately by either film or digital technology. This article explains why the problem occurs in digital photography of artworks and offers a solution.

Gray Card Selection (PDF 220K)
Robin Myers, Applications Specialist, Better Light, Inc.
There is a surprising variation in the quality of gray cards that we use for neutral balancing. With digital capture the reliable readings from the gray card are much more important than with film.

NEW – Feb 2010!   Repro Curve Instructions and Workflow with Target Numbers     (PDF 152K)
Robin Myers, Applications Specialist, Better Light, Inc.
Updated instructions and charts of data values for use of the 1.8 and 2.2 gamma Repro Curves on the Tone Curve menu in the Better Light ViewFinder™ software. Especially useful in Art Reproduction applications, the PDF file lists suggested workflow steps. Includes RGB values for new X-Rite Passport, ColorChecker™ 24-patch, ColorChecker SG and DC, plus Kodak Grayscale Charts.

Color Management for Digital Photography (PDF 60K)
Robin Myers, Applications Specialist, Better Light, Inc.
Over the last several years it has become apparent that there are at least four different types of photography, each requiring its own approach to color management. These four approaches, named for their application areas, are “pleasing”, “advertising”, “reproduction with knockout” and “exact reproduction”. Each is discussed briefly regarding use of profiles and rendering intent.

Depth-of-Field for Digital Images (Stuffit .SIT file 1MB) / Depth of Field PDF Only
Robin Myers, Applications Specialist, Better Light, Inc.
Digital photography is controlled by the same laws of physics and optics as conventional film imaging. A major difference, however, is the inspection of the image on a 72ppi monitor at 100% in Photoshop – we never evaluated our film so critically. This paper explains the judgement of sharpness and depth-of-field in concept and reality to help optimize the results of your work with the extraordinary resolving power of the Better Light scan backs.
A Depth-of-Field calculator program is included in the download in both Macintosh and PC versions.

ART REPRODUCTION: Scanning backs are being used more and more in archival and preservation projects for museums, libraries and historical societies around the world. The large digital files are desirable for recording the finest detail of the precious art objects, but the scan back exposures using continuous light sources raise issues of concern with conservators and registrars. The two reports by Ben Blackwell have addressed some of the issues.

Light Exposure to Sensitive Artworks during Digital Photography (PDF 80K)
Ben Blackwell, University of California Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive
Most museums follow guidelines governing light exposure during exhibitions, and since exposure follows the reciprocity law, this report translates exposure during photography into its equivalent under gallery conditions.

Ultraviolet and Heat Effects from Photographic Lights (PDF 24K)
Ben Blackwell, University of California Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive
A report on the cumlative effects of exposure on museum objects including tungsten, fluorescent, HMI and the new HID light sources.