More about photo retouching (yes....)

Hey...

I wanted to add this to my blog of yesterday concerning my current obsession: Digital Photo Retouching. I've included a sample of one of my most recent requests to make the point. Check it out, while i espouse the point... (click on the image to get a better look)

The original scan is of a printed fold-out page in an old book about Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The page size was about 19" wide by about 3" high. As you can see, the page folds are quite obvious, but otherwise the image is in fairly good shape. The client simply wanted the folds "cleaned up" so that he could have a large poster made for members of his family, formerly of Pittsburgh. It may not seem like a big deal at first, but simply removing the folds adds a great sense of continuity to the print. Once i had completed that request, i simply bumped the contrast slightly and sharpened the image. The result was something that even surprised me, which is why i'm blabbing about it here.

The point, dear readers, is that even small distractions (like folds, scrapes, stains) can reduce the visual pleasure that a clean, well kept photo can offer. The above retouch cost the client approximately $50.00 (not including the scan work and the CD burn of the finished work). If you are not the customer with a personal interest in that photo, you might think that $50.00 is outrageously expensive. But now that client not only has his retouch completed, but also a digital file that can be used to output any number of clean sharp prints at any size he wishes. He was pleased.

If i sound like i'm trying to drum up more of the same kind of work, well, i am. And i think that most of you can think of at least one special photo that you would consider for retouching. And, i think that you should contact me to have it done. It's just as simple as that.

And remember... once i've completed a retouch, it's very very simple to add that image to any one of the products that are available in Bakktalk Online Gifts (BOG). Shirts, mugs, magnets, calendars, postcards, greeting cards, note cards, journals, etc. are all great gifts when enhanced with that cool, new, cleaned up photo. Think about it. I'm just sayin'.

bladimz@dejazzd.com.

Back at it,
bill

2007 Reflections...

First, i must wish all of you dear readers a happy, healthy, safe and productive new year. There are a few things you can count on. There will, again, be 12 months involved, beginning with January and ending with December. That kind of thing. The rest is all "work in progress".

Before i can welcome in the new year, i need to kiss 2007 adieu. It was, without a doubt, the best year that Bakktalk has enjoyed since opening it's shop in early 2006. I know; it's not much of a history, but we here at BOG (Bakktalk Online Gifts) have been very pleased with the relative successes enjoyed in 2007. Sales -- the bottom line -- grew steadily throughout the year, with December and the Holiday Season finishing the year with a flourish.

Designs were constantly being added at the rate of 4 per week, building BOG's inventory to well over 1,000 unique ideas and original designs. What began as a single-idea kind of shop has grown to a shop with a vast variety of designs. I can say that BOG's 2007 experiences have been educational, enjoyable and rewarding.

2008 looks to be a second year of growth, with another store in the works. That store will be built using ideas supplied by my family members... that's the initial idea, anyway. It sounds like a good idea right now. Time will tell on that one.

Photo Retouching... I am also continuing to work with photo restoration requests. It is a particularly rewarding avocation for me. It is something that i find very challenging and interesting. And i do like the positive feedback from my clients. If any of you dear readers suddenly decide that you'd like to have a damaged, stained, faded photo digitally restored, please at least contact me at bladimz@dejazzd.com. I would love to work with you on your project, and will be happy to at least discuss it with you.

Ok... that's it for me for now. I just wanted to get these thoughts out to you before the new year learns to crawl. Please stay with me and Bakktalk Online Gifts; we're going places!! Again, wishing you and your family a wonderful 2008. May we all regularly consider and appreciate all that we do have, no matter how much or how little.

Back at it,

Bill