Digital Photographer's Software Guide - Bertemes - Net

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The Digital Photographer's Software Guide
A new breed of production software creates a proper interface between the photographer
and the lab that does the printing. This, arguably, is the most efficient approach
for high-throughput studios that offer a wide choice of package to the customer.
Software from ExpressDigital and Timestone makes it possible for the photographer to
deliver print-ready images to the printer, complete with text, graphics, and layouts. The
printer uses a special module of the vendor’s software to accept the instructions.
Photographers using this type of software report significant increases in efficiency and
turnover.
ExpressDigital Darkroom
Vendor: ExpressDigital Graphics
Purpose: Complete workflow tool for professional photographers, in multiple editions
Description
ExpressDigital Darkroom is a complete workflow tool for professional photographers.
It comes in three main editions—the Core edition for emerging professionals, advanced
amateurs, and digital enthusiasts; the Professional edition with special features for portrait,
wedding, sports, and event photographers; and the Assembly edition, with even
more features for school, team sports, and group photographers.
All the editions present you with an attractively designed interface, with different viewing
modes for browsing, viewing, processing, and so on. The vendor groups its huge
range of features under Capture, Manage, Enhance, Proof, Sell, and Print. The Pro and
Assembly editions enable direct capture with industry-standard cameras, whereas all editions
have full support for RAW files, ICC color profiles, and photo metadata, together
with rename and reformat facilities. Its management features allow you to catalog photos
by customer, sitting, event, or location. You can also add notes to your photos; search
catalogs by customer, event, location, or notes; catalog photos by school, group, or event;
and use bar-coding for quick data entry.
There are extensive image-enhancement features in all editions of ExpressDigital
Darkroom, including non-destructive image editing such as crop, scale, move, and
rotate. It also includes black and white conversion with retro, sepia, or duotone colors.
You can add text and change exposure, contrast, brightness, shadow, and tone. The software
also offers professional red-eye removal, grey card click balance, and built-in color
adjustments and filters. A major feature is its inclusion of 150 graphic templates and
ability to take additional templates from authorized third-party vendors. The Pro editions
also have green screen chroma key and Retouch Workshop with clone, blemish,
paint, dodge, burn, sharpen, and blur tools.