Colors are important in photography. But with digital photography, it is a long path from the light of this world to the computer. At the heart of the digital camera is the image sensor which records the image. Almost all digital cameras actually record image data with a complicated array of colored filters over tiny light-sensitive photosensors (more detailed information on Bayer filters is on wikipedia. Foveon sensors use a different technology but they have their own set of issues). At this point, more advanced models of cameras allow this image to be recorded in this “raw” format (we recommend always shooting in raw format over jpeg, but that’s another discussion).

Now, in its raw format, a photo would be unrecognizable. Complicated algorithms can process—the digital equivalent of darkroom developing—the raw file to create a jpeg file which is viewable by web browsers and printers alike. Part of the raw processing is determining the colors of individual pixels, or points, in the picture. Although engineers at companies such as Adobe have camera color profiles for most models of cameras, each specific camera may handle colors a little differently due to manufacturing tolerances. To ensure the best accuracy in the colors coming out of the camera, a standard color chart can be used. A popular color chart is the X-Rite ColorChecker Passport, which a friend generously let me use on a recent shoot. This contains a number of colors which are very accurately printed.

After taking a picture of this chart, you have to tell the computer to analyze these colors. In the past, people used slow, complicated Photoshop scripts. I found that Adobe now provides a DNG Profile editor which will create a camera profile. I followed the directions on their tutorial, though I had to convert my Canon raw file to a DNG file (Adobe also provides a free converter program but you can also do this when importing photos with Lightroom).  This quickly and easily created a profile for my camera.  The last step was to move this profile into a location for Adobe programs to use, which on a mac is /Library/Application Support/Adobe/CameraRaw/CameraProfiles . That’s it! Now you can use the new profile in Lightroom or Photoshop as a starting point for your editing.

We here at Chang² Studios strive to provide a better experience. In fact, those who compare our prices against those at a typical mall store may find that the mall store costs much more in the end for an inferior product!

Our friend Patrick is a talented actor with a great sense of humor.  For his role in the previous show, “A Christmas Carol”, he had grown out his hair. But his next show required him to cut it shorter, so he wanted to preserve some images of this look for his portfolio.

We wanted a clean, simple look that would showcase Patrick. To start with, we used a white seamless background. For lighting, we used a single key light shot through an umbrella, a background light (which was converted to a hair light for a few shots), and a reflector.

It’s always fun to photograph actors and actresses, because of the variety of looks and expressions they bring. We had a great time working with Patrick!

Patrick can currently be seen in “Funny Girl”, playing at the Drury Lane Oakbrook through March 7, 2010.

We have come a long way for the image on the DVD its self, from just burning a disk, to printing on the disk, to printing on high quality, water resistant DVD’s that look just as good as a DVD you can buy from the store, if not better.

We have also come a long with the presentation of the package, from a regular jewel case, to a simple square envelope, to petal paper from Paper Source secured with a button tied through the envelope to hold the disk down so that it does not get any scratches during shipping.

I like the overall look at this time, but I do feel there is a slight problem with how people understand it. I feel that it is a little bit of a complex design. When someone receives this package they open the petal, which is great! But then they seem to be a little puzzled about what to do next. I need to step back as a designer and see its functionality. So the next step is to untie the bow, but I see many confused faces when we hand deliver the DVDs. Do you have any suggestions? We would still like to use our crafty materials, because the look is perfect! Function is important too.