Scanning & Digital Imaging with Ted Harris

Scanning & Digital Imaging
with Ted Harris
 
April 11 -13 Cost: $250.00

Today, scanning and digital manipulation of color negative and transparency material has virtually replaced 'wet' darkroom methods. With today's scanners and photo printers, black and white digital processing is also coming into its own.

A personal interest in mastering and applying these new techniques was the original genesis of these workshops. I started scanning large and medium format negatives and transparencies eight years ago, using drum scanners and high-end pre-press flatbed scanners. In the early days of image scanning, the hardware and software was very complex and expensive, and learning curves were steep. Moreover, while there were (and still are) a wealth of information sources, both printed and on the Internet, many of them were confusing and conflicting, and offered results that were difficult or impossible to replicate. The many hours, hundreds of redone scans, and more hundreds of discarded printed images led first to the series of continuing articles in View Camera Magazine; next to presentations at the 2005 View Camera Conference; and, finally, to these scanning and digital imaging workshops. Continuing improvement in the quality and capability of affordable digital imaging hardware and software has brought with it a distinct need for users to be able to sample and test alternatives, master skills, and compare results in a single environment.

These workshops provide that opportunity, and this is likely to be the only one offered in Canada this year. Additionally, this Elevator Workshop is specifically designed to also accommodate those whose interest in the digital workflow includes eventual self-publication of their images, as well as exhibition-quality printing.

Who Should Attend

Anyone interested in learning the fine art of scanning film, exhibition-quality digital printing, and publication. A basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop® and Adobe Lightroom® is useful, but not required.

Schedule

The workshop starts with an informal gathering on Friday evening and a general presentation on scanning techniques. The presentation will include "hands-on" participation by attendees, and will include the production of one or more images for further work on Saturday. The next morning will begin with a discussion of an approach to exposure and zone system considerations for the digital (as opposed to traditional) workflow, some additional scans, and the start of our use of Photoshop to process images for printing and publication. The day's concentration will be on the scanning process. On Sunday, we will continue scanning, but the emphasis will shift to available output options.

We'll set aside time on both Saturday and Sunday for print reviews (we will also be equipped to review transparencies).