Digital RFF Photo Swap

[ray_g]

All of us have computers (duh) and everyone posting photos here must have a scanner or can have scans done at the lab. I suppose everyone has some image editing program like PS or GIMP. That's all you need.

I just received a 40MB TIFF file from a beloved member. My (and most) email server would only send and receive a maximum attachment of 10MB (Yahoo Mail will allow 20MB). I have cable internet and the download time was a little over 2 minutes.

As the solution, we used a site called http://www.yousendit.com

This is a FREE site allowing the sender to upload up to 1GB, which is then stored for 7 days. The recepient email specified by the sender receives a link to download the file. It allows a limited number of downloads per file (25).

The advantages of doing a swap digitally:

1. It will allow more people to participate, especially those without access to a wet darkroom.

2. No packing and shipping hassles, cost, or damage. This is an important point since this is an international forum.

3. Near- instant downloads. No waiting for the mail.



Disadvantages:

1. The site (to me) is secure. The only major disadvantage would be possible copyright infringement among members, since you are sending a "digital negative."

2. This would be very difficult if not impossible for those without high speed connections.



This will allow two formats of swapping that I can think of:

1. Traditional RFF swap among partners like Tom had organized.

2. As someone had suggested in the past, multiple swapping. You upload one file, and up to 25 other participants can download it. I would probably just limit it to 10-20 to allow for repeat downloads if connection is broken.

Each participant will upload one file each. In exchange you will receive (rather can download) 20 different photo files. You can store them in a CD and have them printed as funds permit. You can resize the original file, making it smaller if needed, and print on your own home printer (assuming, for instance, you can only print to say 8x10 and receive an 11x14 file).

This can be modified to allow for themes etc., to allow for small swap groups depending on interest, format, color or b/w, subject, etc.

What do you guys think?

 

[Byuphoto]

Now, this is something I could get into. especially if there is a way to preview the differnt uploads or we psot a low Res to the forum for viewing

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I find this a nifty idea. My limited access to a lab that actually does good work makes this ideal.

 

[ch1]

Sounds interesting. I'll watch how you folks "develop" the concept. Seems like it would've been a great way to upload higher-res photo submissions for RFF Book II - I found the file size limitation for that effort a bit frustrating.

 

[ray_g]

Now, this is something I could get into. especially if there is a way to preview the differnt uploads or we psot a low Res to the forum for viewing

Personally, I think an important part of the swap is the element of surprise, not knowing what you will receive. I am afraid having thumbnails for viewing might result in "picking and choosing" only the photos you like. Of course, this is only my opinion.

 

[Kin Lau]

40mb is a bit large. How about starting with something a bit smaller, say a 1 or 2meg jpeg 1st?

Not that I have any pics anyone would ever want to steal, but there's a lot of serious talent around here who might not want to "give away" their digital negative. At least with a print, any copy is less than the original, but a tiff _is_ the original.

 

[back alley]

you always have the neg if there is ever an ownership dispute.

 

[Kin Lau]

you always have the neg if there is ever an ownership dispute.

You may never find out that someone's been using your shot/file for publication, postcards, posters etc. Or find out too late.

On Naturescapes.net, someone had their 650x400 jpeg used for a commercial postcard without their permission.

Once your high-quality file is out there, there's no way of getting it "back". Any one else who has access to that person's PC, be it family, friend or foe, the next owner, thief etc also has your file. That's why I suggest a lower quality version, but even that has great potential for misuse.

At least with my own files, I'm completely responsible for any foolishness on my part, but not for any one elses property.

 

[RayPA]

I'd prefer to exchange PDF documents, maybe 3-5 image portfolios of lower resolution (72 dpi) images. They could be "done-up" nicely, with borders, drop shadows, and signatures, and the lower size would restrict the usage, and hence provide some degree of copy protection.

I read that Lenswork, in their Extended (CD) version, provides high resolution PDF documents of the images in their current issues. It would be interesting to know what it is they do exactly.

Just some thoughts.


.

 

[RJBender]

I'd prefer to exchange PDF documents, maybe 3-5 image portfolios of lower resolution (72 dpi) images. They could be "done-up" nicely, with borders, drop shadows, and signatures, and the lower size would restrict the usage, and hence provide some degree of copy protection.

I read that Lenswork, in their Extended (CD) version, provides high resolution PDF documents of the images in their current issues. It would be interesting to know what it is they do exactly.

Just some thoughts.

.

source: http://www.nuance.com/pdfconverter/create/​

I've been using PDF Create for creating PDF files instead of printing all the documents I want to save. You can set the resolution for 72, 150, 300, 600, 1200 or 2400. The program's only $50 and It's very easy to use. The icon for PDF Create shows up with your printer icons.

R.J.