I’ve been through a few technological changes in photography. In the late 1980s, I was doing work experience at the Adelaide Advertiser when colour was introduced. Some of the veteran news photographers, who had spent their careers working with black and white film, weren’t particularly interested in changing. Then they were told that front page … Read more
When we think about artificial intelligence in photography and video, it is tempting to focus on its ability to generate images. We are surrounded by demonstrations of what generative AI can create, and increasingly there’s concern about the sheer volume of AI-generated content, and AI slop. But generative AI is only one part of the … Read more
Last month I wrote about DNG becoming an ISO standard. Like any ISO standard, there are costs and benefits to adopting it into your workflow. It is up to you, whether you are an individual photographer or running a business, to decide if ISO DNG makes sense for how you work. What is an ISO … Read more
If you had told me in the late 1990s that I would still be talking about raw file formats more than 25 years later, I probably would have laughed. Back then, we were all trying to make sense of digital photography as it found its footing, full of excitement and uncertainty. Color management itself was … Read more
Every so often, a client asks me for TIFF files because “the designer says TIFF is better.” It reminds me of my earlier post on high resolution images, how many long-held beliefs in photography aren’t actually based on best practice, but on assumptions. The JPEG vs TIFF debate falls squarely into that category. Some context … Read more
Until recently I wasn’t able to recommend a simple program for managing image collections. DAM software with a clean interface that will appeal to creatives seemed to have become extinct. A creative is anyone who makes digital art; photographer, designer, illustrator, video or music producer. Digital Asset Management software for creatives has undergone many changes … Read more
Myths, facts, and best practices When it comes to digital photography, discussions around file formats can sometimes create more confusion than clarity. One such myth I sometimes encounter is that TIFF is always superior to JPEG. Similar to the misconception on what defines “high resolution”. After nearly 30 years working directly on digital photography standards, … Read more
Twenty-five years ago, I invested in a Nikon D1, the first “affordable” professional digital camera. Before owning the D1, I would occasionally rent Kodak digital cameras when their benefits outweighed the cost of shooting on film. As we entered the new millennium, digital photography started to surpass film in practicality for my corporate and editorial … Read more
Digital imaging has revolutionised photography, making it more accessible and user-friendly. Collaboration between creatives and Big Tech companies has fostered innovation, but the relationship is weakening due to a shift in focus towards influencers and a lack of respect for creatives and copyright principles. Despite this, AI has the potential to enhance creativity and productivity, … Read more
As visual medium, photography relies heavily on the user experience. As a business, photography relies a lot on your client’s user experience. In both cases the outcome is the same, it’s all about the human experience. You can’t get away from it, photographers are visual people. It’s how we communicate and interact with the world. … Read more