Foto Funk...

A breathless return from a midsummer blogging vacation...I lost my daily dose of blogging discipline a few weeks ago. It was a combination of top priority issues, a power surge of Farm at Coventry business after a large and colorful feature appeared in a local newspaper and intense preparations for a major presentation at the International Herb Association conference last weekend. More on that adventure later. However, my true loss of blogging mojo came after spending an entire day sorting through and choosing a selection of photographs for a new series of Farm at Coventry note cards. By the time I got the call from the printer to come and view the proofs, I was already designing my packaging and display. This was 'phase one' in an effort to showcase the photographs in anticipation of unveiling a 2009 calendar at years end. Since the fall of last year, I have been racking up seasonal photos around the farm, with a critical eye, dumping many but meticulously storing many more in month-appropriate folders on my computer. It was a 12 month plan, which I have been faithfully executing since October of 2007. In ten months of exploring this piece of land on my hands and knees and tippy toes in all sorts of weather I have captured nearly 5,000 images. So, when I walked into the print shop I came prepared to plunk down a big note card order on the cream of the crop....until I saw the proofs. In a matter of seconds, ten months of photographic splendor began to unravel for me. A little background: Last fall, a graphic designer at the print shop helped me with a small series of note cards that I pulled together for the Christmas season. He seemed to be having trouble with the images that I emailed him. He kept noting that they were 'too rich' and made some suggestions on modifying my camera settings, to which I complied. He also made suggestions on cropping the original images in his own 'creative style'. The job, which should have been straight forward, was taking too long because of his own admitted 'tweaking' of my images. Tensions between the force of two creative minds ran high. The original quote for the job was reasonable. The final cost, after his unrequested 'tweaking' and my insistence that they be 'untweaked' was astronomical. I complained first to the manager and then the owner of the shop and they eventually adjusted the difference and I got my cards printed to my own specs. I left happy with my victory, but exhausted from the experience of 'butting heads' with someone who claimed to have a degree and major experience in this arena. I have a good eye, but I am somewhat lacking in understanding all the bells and whistles of the digital and electronic gadgets I own. Interestingly, a week later I discovered that the employee was let go from his position. I was secretly relieved that I would have someone new to work with in the future. However, all these months later, I was again reminded how this fellow inflicted his 'expertise' upon me. His sage advice on my camera settings has come back around to kick me from behind. When I mentioned this to the girl holding my oh-so-less-than-perfect new proofs, her mouth dropped open and she excused herself to bring the manager out. I soon discovered that the 5,000 photos that I have been gathering for nearly a year were not suitable for print. The resolution setting on my camera was set too low for a sharp crisp image. I had to wonder if it was true ignorance on his part or a deliberate attempt to sabotage my future photos. I was (and still am) devastated by this discovery. I left the print shop biting my lip and forcing back tears until I could get to my truck. They were extremely apologetic, offering to try to 'tweak' my images on photoshop free of charge to get them clearer....I said, Thanks, no more tweaking. Sigh. Long story, I know....but it crushed me for a few weeks.I have finally pulled my camera from it's pouch again and began the tedious process of reading the user's guide that came with it. Good start. I have adjusted my settings and moved forward. With more than a bit of trepidation, I started shooting again and made a few more adjustments. I'm looking into digital photography classes and perhaps replacing my 10 year old camera. The good news is that all of those photos that I have collected are perfectly suited for web viewing so I will never be lacking for shots for the blog and the website. Another learning curve I've begun to tackle. Another lesson learned. whew, tough one. But glad to be back....