Understanding Digital Negatives

One of the most confusing issues brides may face these days are “digital negatives”. The term in the photographic world is used very loosely and may mean something entirely different from one photographer to another. To most, the term “digital negative” would be refering to the image as it is captured in the camera before any additional processing on the computer is done. However, most photographers who only want their best work out there, will probably perform some image enhancing before releasing the “digital negatives”.
When hiring a professional photographer to photograph your special event, find out if the digital negatives are included in your package. Also, find out what their specific definition of a “digital negative” is. Many photographers format their images to 4×6 @ 300DPI before they commence with their post production. This is a great size to work with in a program such as Photoshop, however, when you go to print, you may be surprised at the lack of quality at 11×14. Find out if their definition of “digital negative” is the image straight out of the camera or if there is any post production involved.
Post production usually includes some enhancing of the image as far as color, contrast and sharpness is concerned. Many photographers take it another step further and employ their own favorite Photoshop techniques to really make the images “pop”. Why this is a concern to you is because there is a difference in “digital negatives” and “post production” images. The first time you see your wedding images, they may be online in a web gallery. And you may see a variety of images that look great, many of them in black and white. However, when you receive your digital negatives, they may look dull and all of them in color. This is because you received the “digital negatives” right out of the camera. For a quality print, some Photoshop may be required. Images created by digital cameras are inherintly soft thus requiring some sharpening when downloaded to a computer. Many labs with increase the sharpness for you. However, adjusting the sharpness in a program such as Photoshop before sending it to print may result in a much more acceptable print.

Getting back on topic, know what your getting with your “digital negatives”. Here’s some questions to ask.
1. How long after our wedding will we receive our digital negatives?
2. What are the size of our “digital negative” files? ie. 4×6 @ 300DPI, 6×9 @ 300DPI, etc.
3. Will our “digital negatives” be print ready?
4. What is the largest print size you recommend?
5. Are the “digital negatives” included the “post production” images? Many photographers do not give away the post production images. They work long and hard after the wedding enhancing the images to really increase the quality and uniqueness of their work.

These are just a few questions to ask so that you know exactly what you will be receiving after your wedding. Understand that an image doesn’t just come out of a camera and is ready for quality printing. There is a lot of post production work involved by the photographer. Make sure you take your “digital negatives” to a quality lab. Ask your photographer for recommendations. Most grocery store and department store labs will not give your images the same attention and care that a professional lab will.

Happy wedding!

Shawn Reimers

~ by artphoto on January 18, 2008.