CEPIC microstock conference in Dublin

I came back from microstock conference organized by CEPIC in Dublin on the 8th of June. Took some notes and some videos - will post after get them processed.




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16bit vs 8bit editing in photoshop

The question discussed many times and still often asked - whether to process RAW files in 16 bit or in 8 bit mode?

The answer depends on quality of the source file and the intended use of the image. When you work with well exposed photograph and don't edit it intensively, the difference between 8bit and 16bit isn't significant. However in case you need best possible quality there is a difference.

Even if you save the final result in 8-bit file (e.g. JPG only supports 8-bit mode), there is a difference depending how you edit your file.

Whether it's a big deal or not is rather subjective.... but the difference is pretty obvious.

I made a simple example - took a well exposed image, didn't apply very much editing, didn't have too many layers. There are 2 frames in the animated gif: one is the result of 16 bit editing, converted to 8 bit at the end; the other frame is result of 8-bit editing - i.e. same file was first converted to 8 bit, then editing applied. It enlarged to 400% to make the difference more visible.



In case you have underexposed image, in case you have higher ISO, in case you apply intensive editing - you will see much bigger difference between 8 and 16 bit. But even this example above is sufficient for me to do my editing in 16 bit.


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Internet upgrade at home

Got my Belgacom ADSL line upgraded today to VDSL. Download speed came from 4Mbps up to around 15Mbps, and more importantly the uplink went from 0.5Mbps up to 1.5Mbps - very helpful for uploading photos to retouching agency, and to stock agencies. (I am talking about real tested speed)

The nice thing that the upgrade was free to me (including VDSL modem), because Belgacom has improved their subscription plan that I was already using. But I had to ask for upgrade myself.

The only negative part is that the websites that were slow remain slow regardless the speed of my internet connection....



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One more photo from session with Thomas and Emmily

This is one more photo from the same session with Thomas and Emmily:



This picture was planned, based on several advertisement photos. It's not a copy of any specific picture, but I had a particular image in my mind which I tried to create. I've got what I wanted and I like the result. Even though the concept might be arguable with sunglasses shown in the darkness :)



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Photography studio found

I had an issue with a place for taking studio photos. I've done it at home for some time but it wasn't a good option. I have too little space, and reflections from walls create a color cast on the pictures. I photographed in some places abroad, but I didn't have a good place in Belgium that I could use regularly.

Finally I found a studio near Mechelen and tried it last Sunday. The location is good - not too far from Leuven (less than 40 minutes by car), close to a railway station (though small one), and close to Mechelen too. Also good that it's large enough and have high ceiling. Very good price; and rather good selection of backgrounds. The only imperfection is that the lighting kit could have been better, and selection of softboxes/light modifiers isn't large. But that isn't a big issue taking into account the items I could bring myself in addition to those already in studio. It is also very convenient that the studio is accessible 24/7 via pre-paid badge system and online reservation.

One picture from that shoot:

Copyright Mikhail Lavrenov

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