Technical

The images I normally supply will most likely, but not necessarily, have been captured in RAW mode on a Canon Professional Quality Digital SLR camera, using Canon 'L' series USM lenses to ensure high quality. They will then have been converted to 16bit tif files and have an ICC profile - Adobe RGB (1998) embedded. The images will have been processed in sophisticated imaging software on a high quality, calibrated monitor to ensure a pleasing if not correct colour rendition. They will have received various forms of electronic processing to ensure a quality result. The images will have a caption embedded in the file as IPTC data.

Digital capture is the modern equivalent of a roll of film. Included in the digital capture fee is the supply of low resolution web quality pictures (72 ppi - pixels per inch- about 25cm long) that have had basic colour and tonal corrections applied to them to give a rough idea of what the picture contains. These low resolution files are also suitable for layout purposes and are supplied in JPEG format. All images are captioned to some degree using IPTC data which is embedded with the file. Also embedded in these files is a colour profile (sRGB) which is more suitable for web browsers, rather than printed reproduction. sRGB files have a lesser colour gamut (ie fewer tones) than a file prepared as a reproduction quality file.

Reproduction quality files, which take time and expertise to produce, are available at additional cost. Follow the link on the Charges page to compare ‘as shot’ images with Reproduction Quality Files. Reproduction quality files are normally presented as 300 ppi (pixels per inch) images in TIFF and JPEG format and have had sharpening, colour correction, tonal changes, retouching etc applied to provide a high quality result. They are supplied with an embedded colour profile – Adobe RGB(1998) which means that the colours may look dull in your web browser (generally web browsers are not colour profile ‘aware’) but are more suitable for printed reproduction. They have a greater colour gamut than sRGB files intended for the web.

Most digital images need sharpening to some degree. For best results the sharpening ought be done with the final image size in mind. Generic unsharp masking is to be avoided.

The images are not supplied as CMYK files as conversion to CMYK for printing purposes needs to be tailored very specifically to the desired end result. There are many variables involved, such as the paper stock, the type of press, the inks to be used, amongst the most important, however any competent pre-press house ought to have no difficulties preparing any of my images for publication.

Should you find an image of yourself on this website and wish it removed please get in touch.

© noel butcher photography all rights reserved

website design and construction by noel butcher