Rangefinder Magazine
January 2005

Click Here for printable version of this article.

Problems and Solutions by Bill Hurter

Please accompany your questions with a self-addressed stamped envelope if you wish an immediate reply. Alternatively, you can e-mail me at: bhurter@rfpublishing.com.

From: Ron Burr
ron.burr@ngc.com
I would like to gain some knowledge about judging for our local camera club. I heard Heidi’s program some time ago, and she talked about it, but I would like to get more info if possible. Is there a web site on this subject?

Your first stop should be the WPPI web site: www.wppinow.com/. Go to “print competitions” and you can download a PDF of the eight-page print and album competition guidelines, which includes a lengthy section on what judges look for and how images will be judged.

Also, if you Google (www.google.com) “print competition guidelines,” you will come up with about 15 PPA affiliate organizations from around the U.S. that publish their print and judging guidelines online.
To see other examples of judging guidelines, visit the Royal Photographic Society web site: www.rps.org and the Australian Institute of Professional Photography: www.aipp.com.au/. Both offer good information regarding print competition and judging.

From: Diana Ralph
Diralph@comcast.net
www.photoarticulations.com
I just wanted to comment on the article in the November issue regarding DNG file format. I downloaded the new RAW file format at Adobe (mentioned in the article), and it is awesome! I have started using my RAW format almost always now, due to this great file format. I do hope this will begin a standardization of file format. It was so easy to make file changes, I felt like Superwoman—able to change literally everything about the photo I wanted to, including adding a very rich-looking vignetting to portraits, after having taken the photo! I felt a new surge of power at my fingertips and in my “darkroom.” Thank you Adobe, and thank you Rangefinder for the numerous digital articles.

From: Kathryn Rutherford
Heirloom Art Studio
artist@heirloomartstudio.com
Michelle Perkins wrote an article in the November issue on Fred Miranda SI Pro v1.1 interpolation software. I wanted more information on the software, specifically if it would run on Mac OS 9.2.2 with Photoshop 7. The article wasn’t quite clear about the specs. Going to Fred’s web site leads nowhere as he has not posted a contact phone number or email address. The only contact there is for technical advice if, and only if, you have already ordered something and have an order number. Otherwise, there can be no contact. I can’t purchase LizardTech’s Genuine Fractals because their software won’t run on OS 9.2 (except the 3.0LE version, but the file size is too small). I need interpolation software to operate my Epson 7600 but am coming to a dead end. Can you suggest quality software or supply an email address to Fred Miranda?

SI Pro v1.1 runs on Photoshop Elements 1 and 2, Photoshop 5.5, 6.0, 7.0 and CS and is fully compatible with Mac Classic and Mac OS X. The info didn’t jump out at me but is on Fred’s web site. As far as why his email isn’t listed, I can’t answer you.

From: Morris Miller
miller422@juno.com
I had to make a comment about Jake Butler’s recent “Rƒ Cookbook.” If he is so passionate about seeing lightning, let him visit central Florida, lightning capitol of the U.S.

Also, I must say he has a terrific flair for writing. He should find satisfying success! His verbalization of this experience in Costa Rica was certainly exciting.

From: John Newsome
jnewsome7@netzero.net
I am looking for the names of companies to apply to for installation or field service tech positions on minilab equipment. If you can point me in the right direction, I’d appreciate it.

Visit the web site of the Association of Professional Color Imagers (APCI): apci.pmai.org/. This organization services the lab and minilab markets and offers a ton of useful information about those markets, including market research trends and the latest news.

Also, I did a search online for “employment minilab tech positions” and “minilab service technician employment,” and the combined search turned up 600 such opportunities all over the world. Some of these hits looked appealing, while others didn’t, but I was amazed at how much opportunity there seems to be in this field.