When digital is a good idea (and when it's not)
One magazine editor's take on digital photo submissions

By Karen Lee Roop

We’ve heard a million times that the world has gone digital. We’re trading the pages of our day planners for PalmPilots, our letterhead for e-mail. It’s all in the name of speed and convenience. Submitting digital photos is the same.

You can get images to editors faster and on demand, which means more money in your pocket. There’s no risk of damaged or lost slides.

But when you submit digital images to magazine editors, are you making it easier on them?

Easy to review
Up front, the answer is yes. As an editor, I enjoy the ease of scrolling through thumbnail images that I receive via e-mail or viewing a light box posted on the Web. I like it as long as the Web site works and the e-mailed files are small enough.
But...
To me, the biggest taboo is sending high-resolution files through e-mail without asking first. It’s frustrating to not know why my inbox is clogged then later find out that it was because of an unsolicited digital submission.

Easy to move
Another plus for digital is that it’s easier to share images with the graphics department. I simply drag them off a CD into folders then transfer each folder to the appropriate person, all without a single greasy finger touching a transparency.
But...
The problem lies in image identification. The photographer might identify his or her image as “slide MG-V11X.” I know it as a slide of deer eating acorns in the fall. By the time it reaches the graphics department, the code means nothing.
Taking it one step further...
One photographer I work with has a solution. Along with the CD of high-resolution images, she sends sheets with thumbnail images that are coded to match the CD’s files. It gives a reference that keeps everyone on track. Retaining the original coding helps if we have any questions about the images.

Graphically speaking
The principal problem of digital submissions usually surfaces during the layout stage of production. Most magazines use images that are approximately 300 dots per inch. (Dots per inch, or dpi, is the image’s resolution that dictates its crispness and clearness.)

Resolution requirements are different for other mediums; 72 dpi is adequate for the Web, and 200 dpi is sufficient for newspapers.

Making digital images high enough quality for magazines can be a tricky venture, primarily because you’re dealing with a much bigger file. Plus, you can’t guess how the image will be used in the publication, such as its size and how it will be cropped.

Tips from the front line:

• It’s OK to scan thumbnails for review at 72-100 dpi, but make sure the images are at least 5x7 inches. Remember, they will not be high enough quality to use in a magazine.

• The size at which you scan images are as large as they can be used in layout. A 5x7-inch image scanned at 300 dpi cannot be used as a double-page spread.

• Save files as uncompressed TIFFs or high-quality JPEGs (compressed as little as possible). Images lose quality with compression.

• RGB images that aren’t sharpened or color corrected work best. Leave it to the magazine staff to correct, if needed, and to convert files to CMYK.

• Unless you are confident in your ability to do a professional, high-resolution scan, submit the original slide or use professional services.

• If there’s a possibility that the image could be used larger than 5x7 inches, it’s best if the magazine staff scans the original slide.

Do some research
This article is not meant to discourage digital submissions. Learn the quality requirements of the magazines with which you work, as well as your ability to provide them with a good product.

When in doubt, ask. Contact editors during layout to make sure they have what they need. If they need something different, be flexible and get it to them as soon as possible. Isn’t that the advantage of digital, anyway?

OWAA board member Karen Lee Roop edits National Wild Turkey Federation publications Women In The Outdoors and Wheelin’ Sportsmen.

TOP

Digital rewards
Investing in a digital camera pays dividends

By Michael Furtman, www.michaelfurtman.com

One of the myths surrounding digital photography is that costs are prohibitive for OWAA members. That’s simply not true. Gone are the days when a digital SLR cost $5,000.

For this comparison, I’m sticking with Nikon and Canon because those are two brands that many OWAA members already own. Remember, lenses for film-based Nikons and Canons also work on digital SLRs, so by sticking with the brand you already shoot, you save big bucks.

For professional-level work, you need a digital camera of at least 5 megapixels (MP). Fortunately, both Canon and Nikon have affordable digital SLRs with 6-plus MP. Either will do anything 35-mm film can do.

How do the costs stack up for equipment?

I’ve compared the digital SLR with the same company’s most similar film body, using prices found on the Internet from reputable dealers for U.S.-warrantied camera bodies. Here’s what I found:

Canon –    EOS 3 film body: $875
                  10D digital SLR: $1,499

Nikon –     F100 film body: $990
                  D100 digital SLR: $1,499

Digital SLRs do cost about one-third more than a comparable film camera body. That cost, however, doesn’t factor the huge savings in film.

(Note that Canon offers the Digital Rebel, a 6.3-MP SLR for under $900. It is not included in this comparison because, although it is a fine camera, it is not considered a pro-level body. It would, however, make a fine introductory digital camera.)

While shooting photos of the autumn hawk migration recently, I burned up 400 frames in one day. That shoot cost me nothing but my time. Had I used film, things would have been different. Based on average prices of Fujichrome pro film (purchased in bulk) and Fuji processing, I calculated a cost of 27.5 cents per frame. At 400 frames, that same shoot would have cost $110. It doesn’t take long to make up the difference in cost when switching from film to digital. Yes, there are “film” costs for digital. A 512-megabyte compact flash card runs about $120 but is infinitely reusable.

Over the long haul, digital photography is cheaper. Even the startup costs aren’t out of line. I traded several film bodies at a local camera shop, reducing the investment (prices on digital SLRs are no better over the Internet than locally since the demand is so high). You might consider doing the same.

Consider one other factor: Freed from the expense and hassle of film and processing, you’ll take more risks, shoot more frames and produce more saleable photos once you’ve switched to digital. Thanks to this, my first digital SLR paid for itself in the first month.

OWAA member Michael Furtman lives and writes in Duluth, Minn. An award-winning book author, freelance writer and still photographer, he is a frequent contributor to OWAA’s Tech-E-Letter. Furtman’s review of the just-released Adobe Photoshop CS will be published in the next issue of the Tech-E-Letter.  

TOP

Frequently asked questions
OWAA's Online Directory

By Lisa Carter
OWAA Membership Services Manager

Last April, OWAA launched the new Online Directory. This service is intended to enhance your membership in OWAA by allowing you to search for other members in a secure Web environment and to keep your contact information and credits up to date. Online searching is faster, more efficient and inherently more accurate because information in the database can be instantly corrected or updated by members every day of the year. And it's fun!

Following are some frequently asked questions (along with answers!) that headquarters receives about the Online Directory.

Question: I’m trying to log in with “pledge” and “2004” as my user name and password, and it won’t work – what’s wrong?

Answer: “Pledge” and “2004” are for the members’ only section of the OWAA Web site (jobs, classifieds, committee lists, section chairs, etc.) and are the same for all members. Your Online Directory user name and password are unique to you, and you set them when you register.

Question: I’m using the user name and password that I chose when I registered, but I still can’t log on to the Online Directory.

Answer: Make sure your browser is set to allow cookies, as the Directory uses session-based ones. Your user name and password are case sensitive, so be aware of that. Also, try closing your browser and rebooting your computer. If taking those actions doesn’t make a difference, please contact headquarters.

Question: When I try to register for the Online Directory, it says I’m not in there – what do I do?

Answer: You only need to register for the Online Directory once. If you haven’t registered, go to www.memberconnections.com/OWAA. Click on Click Here To Register Now. At Step 1, search for your name by LAST NAME ONLY. (Supporting members – put the company name in the last name field.) Don’t put anything in the first name or zip code fields. It’s a glitch in the system – if you fill in those other fields, it won’t find you. Once you’ve done that, it will bring up a list of all members/companies with that name. Click on yours. Then it will ask for your ID number. Headquarters has sent several e-mails with links to the Directory and your unique ID number. If you can’t find one of those, e-mail headquarters and we’ll resend your number. Then follow the online directions to finish registering. Make sure you choose the option to have your user name and ID sent by e-mail. BE SURE TO SAVE THE E-MAIL!

Question: I’ve forgotten my user name and password. How do I find out what they are?

Answer: On the log-in page, click the Retrieve It link. You’ll be asked for the e-mail address you used when your registered, and your user name and password will be e-mailed to you. You can retrieve your log-in information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without calling or e-mailing headquarters, although we’re always happy to help.

Lisa Carter has overseen member services at OWAA headquarters for four years. She reminds all members to update their listings in the Online Directory for inclusion in the 2004 print directory, which will be published in the spring. Consult the November issue of Outdoors Unlimited, page 17, for instructions.

 TOP

Download OWAA's new logo

If you need a copy of OWAA’s new logo for your stationery or business cards – even on New Year’s Day - no need to worry. Go to www.owaa.org, scroll down the left side of the home page and click Get the New Logo.

After entering the user name and password (published in any OU, p. 2 masthead), peruse the index of membership types. For example: Active Member, Associate Member, Supporting Member and so on. Click on the appropriate membership type and Presto! – a three-inch, 300-dpi, color JPEG should appear.

Those who subscribe to Bill Gates’ universe (PC users), right click on the logo, choose Save Picture As … , then a dialogue box should appear asking where you want to save. Save either to the My Pictures folder or to your Desktop. For Macintosh users, simply drag the logo to your Desktop. Note: Most PC users should be able to do the same. If you experience problems, headquarters can send you the logo via e-mail – or snail mail, for that matter.

Remember that OWAA has rules how its insignia can be used - consult the 2003-2004 Directory, page 113, for details.

By Kevin Rhoades

E-mail etiquette

They’re called signatures – the closing you put at the end of an e-mail that lets the recipient contact you quickly and easily. Create them in your e-mail software program. (For Outlook users, click Tools, click Options, Open the General tab and click E-mail Options.) Set up your signature any way you like.

Editors and business associates will appreciate being able to contact you from your e-mail. Tack a signature onto every e-mail you send. If you wear several hats, you’ll want to create an e-mail signature for each. The signature should include your full name, phone, fax, possibly an address and a statement about your business. Keep them small – 9-point font size is big enough. Add a brief image/selling statement.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Robert R. Knopf
America Outdoors – Writer/Photographer
Communicating the outdoor experience.
4607 N.E. Cedar Creek Rd., Woodland, WA 98674
Phone: 360-225-5000; Fax: 360-225-7616
E-mail: omni@americaoutdoors.com
Web site: http://www.adventurenewsnetwork.com
New Book: Bowhunting All Game – Coming Soon!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert R. Knopf
Outdoor Management Network Inc.
Helping companies strengthen their marketing programs!
4607 N.E. Cedar Creek Rd., Woodland, WA 98674
Phone: 360-225-5000; Fax: 360-225-7616
Marketing, Public Relations, Web Design
E-mail: omni@outdoormarketing.com
Web site: http://www.outdoormarketing.com

By Bob Knopf

Free conference calls

If conference calling is a necessary part of your business and you need to conference several people at once, consider www.freeconference.com. The online service offers two free plans: one allows up to 25 participants and another allows up to 100 participants. At the scheduled time, participants dial a phone number to enter the conference. Each participant is responsible for the long-distance charges for the call, and the host incurs no additional charges. Another option is a toll-free call-in service. The host is charged 10 cents per minute for each participant. There are no up-front fees or surcharges beyond the per-minute fees. You only pay for the minutes you use.

By Laurie Lee Dovey, www.webimages.net

TOP

TechWeb

TechWeb's most valuable feature, in my opinion, is its TechEncyclopedia – just type in a tech-related word or phrase, and the definition will pop up in seconds. Over 20,000 obscure – and not so obscure – terms are defined; it’s useful if you’re trying to grasp the instruction manual to your new software or comprehend the latest consumer report on digital cameras. TechWeb also offers a range of free e-newsletters, job postings and articles covering all aspects of personal and business technology.

By Katie McKalip

Scorecard

Get local environmental information at this site, a service of Environmental Defense. Just click on the interactive map or enter your zip code to learn about environmental issues in your community. “Scorecard ranks and compares the pollution situation in areas across the United States. Scorecard also profiles 6,800 chemicals, making it easy to find out where they are used and how hazardous they are. Using authoritative scientific and government data, Scorecard provides the most up-to-date and extensive collection of environmental information available online.”

By Lisa Carter

Newstream

Newstream.com is an online source for free multimedia news from the world’s leading corporations and agencies. Registered journalists receive timely video, audio, photos, graphics and text from newsmakers in the fields such as Technology, Science, Health & Medicine, Sports and Travel & Tourism. I set up my account to deliver the headlines in my selected categories daily via e-mail. I’m surprised at how many important business and product releases I receive that I wouldn’t have heard of otherwise.

By Laurie Lee Dovey, www.webimages.net