What are Digital Negatives?

In the simplest terms:

A digital negative is a file format that allows a photographer to capture the maximum amount of information their camera model can take in about the scene or subject being photographed.  Much like a film negative a digital negative can be processed and tweaked in many different ways.  The file contains much more information than a jpeg, the most common form a digital image is stored in.  This allows a photographer additional artistic freedom outside of the point of capture. She or he can choose to make an image from a digital negative as true as possible to the scene they witnessed or to manipulate it artistically.

Here are some visual examples:

Self portrait

Example from a clients session.

Why knowing the difference is important:

In many of my packages I’ve chosen to include a flash drive of negatives.  For each session I select a number of images that will receive the full treatment and title them artist picks.  The number of fully edited images varies for different types of sessions but is usually about 25 for portrait sessions and at least 100 for a wedding. All of the other images included on a flash drive will have had few changes made and those changes are limited to things like color correction and density adjustments if necessary. They will be in a jpeg file format unless requested otherwise.

Because image editing is subjective in nature I give each client a chance a to pick a few more in addition to the images I select as favorites for retouching if requested.  I want you to be happy and have the best possible version of your favorite image, not my favorite from your session or wedding. Still, I do have to cap off retouching at some point.  Image editing and photographic printing are true artisan fields that require significant training, much skill, pricey software and a very fast computer.

I average from 500 to 2,000 images per wedding depending on the amount of time they last.  If I made all of the images perfect it would take an enormous amount of time.  Expert retouching varies in length from 15 minutes to eight hours for an extremely complex image. If I perfected a wedding with 2,000 images they will probably have a Disney Land on the moon before I finish!

Why photographic printing is a fine art:

I truly believe that universities put photography in with the arts instead of the sciences because of the post-processing involved in making an image.  Science may rule the camera, but creativity truly comes into play in the print.  I realize that many people want to make their own prints and for this reason I let my clients have their files with a limited copy right release, however, I still ask you to consider purchasing a few prints, especially enlargements, through me.

Yep, they’re going to cost more than Wallgreens.  That’s because I print on the highest quality paper with the best photographic printers and my computer is calibrated to match each printer’s output, ensuring the color is as it should be.  Can Walgreens do that?

If anyone would rather have more of their digital files retouched, I would be happy to at $25 per hour with the average image taking about 15 to 30 minutes.  Any prints or other photographic products, such as albums, include retouching for free unless they are purchased as proofs.

Finally, about the limited copyright release:

All digital files come with a copyright release for personal use. This means that Roz Todaro Photography maintains ownership of the files.  You can still print them for personal use or display them digitally online at places such as Facebook, but they may not be sold.  If you would like to submit them to a magazine or blog … yay!  Contact me and I will submit them on your behalf.

Also, you are not supposed to share them with your aunt, cousin or grandma, but I realize that many people will choose not to see this and do it anyway. Please at least be kind to me and direct your family to this post so they will know that your photographer knows how to make a proper print. I want to be proud of my work, even when it’s hanging on your grandma’s wall!