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I include digital files in all of my wedding packages and offer them as an add-on for portrait sessions. A lot of people aren't sure exactly what digital files are, and that's easy to understand, most photographers handle their digital files in different ways.
What are digital files?Digital files are the digital equivalent to film negatives. If you order digital files you will receive a DVD with jpeg files of all the images in your proof gallery. They will be fully edited, just like the files you see in your proof gallery. I offer both High-resolution & Low-resolution digital files.What is the difference between High-resolution and Low-resolution?High-resolution files are sized for printing, the files on your high-resolution disc can print at sizes up to 8x10. If you order the High-resolution files your disc will come with a copyright release to allow you to print your files. Low-resolution files will not print, they are sized for sharing on the web, these are great for sharing in e-mail or on facebook or other photo sharing sites.Why do I want digital files?Many people want these files so they feel safer having a copy to archive. Some people want to print their own copies or share files on the internet. You are free to do whatever you wish with your files, provided it doesn't violate the limited copyright release.If I buy the Digital files do I own the copyright?No! According to the federal law, I retain the copyright to every image I take, and that copyright ownership cannot be sold to anyone. When you purchase digital files, you receive the images on a DVD, with a print release file that gives you permission to use the images for specific purposes, such as making prints or other photo products, posting on a website, or for personal use. The release can only be used by the person purchasing the digital files, and cannot be duplicated for others' use.Is there anything I CAN'T do with my digital files?You cannot make changes to the digital files. I will allow resizing or cropping, but other editing is not allowed. You cannot transfer or sell your copyright release to anyone else. So you're not allowed to make copies of the disc to sell or give away to family members or anyone else. You cannot send copies to relatives or others and allow them to print their own pictures. You cannot sell prints or copies of the disc, or sell the images to wedding magazines, websites (although I am more than happy to submit images for you), or your other wedding vendors, or anyone else. Tiffanie Images is the only authorized distributor of my images.Why are your prints so expensive?The editing process that all of your images go through before they are printed is a skilled process and can take hours. Which is why there is such a big price difference between taking one of your digital files to the local Wal-mart or one-hour lab and getting an 8x10 for $2 & getting one from me for $15? The one-hour labs use low-quality paper printed on old equipment, they run auto-fixes on the images that usually make things worse, and they aren't usually calibrated very accurately. When you purchase prints from me, your images are sent to a quality professional lab, they use high-quality photographic paper, they update their equipment often and take the time to properly calibrate it. My computer equipment has been calibrated to match the color that my lab produces so the colors will be accurate. The process is time consuming but creates a higher quality print, well worth the extra cost.What is "editing"?Editing can be a lot of things. It can include adjusting contrast, brightening, popping the colors, adjusting the white balance, blemish removal, lightening eye bags, erasing debris or objects in the background, adjusting group shots by swapping eyes on the one person who blinked, adding special effects like x-processing, toned black & whites, vignettes or textures, etc. There are all sorts of artistic possibilities and every image requires something different. I make all of the edits as I see fit, before you even see the proofs, and then can make minor adjustments based on your input. It might help to show some examples.
The top image is unedited, the middle is edited
and the bottom has a soft black & white effect applied 
The image on the left is unedited, the image on the right is edited The image on the left is unedited, the image on the right is edited
These are some examples of a few of the editing styles I use most often. There are many other options available. Some images look better with certain styles than others, it really just depends on the image.     |
