Ask Brooks

Archives

Do you have any thoughts on software that would help organize /manage a small photo archive of a professional photographer that recently passed away? We would like to safely scan and catalog the largely B+W collection and negatives as well as some Kodachrome slides.  As well, any thoughts on safe scanners for the photos (some vintage mid-20th century), negs and slides would be appreciated.

— Lipa Roth

I'm not a preservationist, but I can say that if I were faced with this challenge (which I sort of am, as a working photographer), I'd turn unhesitatingly to Adobe Lightroom as the archiving software and not blink an eye at scanning the exigent materials with my Epson V700 scanner.

Having said that, however, I would not dare to propose these as "the best" for the simple reason that in order to make such judgments, I would need to have experience with their alternatives and competitors. This is one of the problems we face in today's world filled with so many choices. When faced with our own decisions, we shop, we compare, we select, we use — and if we are happy with the results we are getting we don't go any further until we need to.

For example, I've not used Apple's Aperture software, but I know lots of people like it. I cannot, therefore, offer any valuable opinions about the relative merits of Aperture versus Lightroom, or vice versa. All I can say with any integrity is that I'd be happy to embark on a project like yours with the equipment I own. This isn't an ultimate answer, but hopefully the testimonial helps a bit.

Photoshop for creating folio layouts

I want to try and print text page/s and make a folio. I cannot afford to buy InDesign nor do I wish to learn a new program for a single task such as this. Is it possible to explain how best to set it up and to do it in Photoshop with it's text tool. Perhaps a Photoshop template?

— Frank

Actually, I cover both Photoshop and InDesign as tools to create folio layouts in our Folios Visual Workshop on disc.

Although Photoshop can be used, its text tools are primitive compared to InDesign. When I have a choice, I always use InDesign — but that's not a choice unless you have it! So, with this in mind, Photoshop is an alternative and can do the job, just not as easily. As far as that goes, you could also use Microsoft Word, Works, Publisher, QuarkXpress, PaintShop Pro, or almost any other program that allows you to add text and image to a layout. Heck, in theory you could use Powerpoint!

And, don't overlook the non-computer methods. In LensWork and LensWork Extended #59 we published a portfolio of work by Carol Golemboski in which she used hand-written and drawn graphics on acetate sheets to add graphic elements to her photographs. She placed the acetate on top of the gelatin silver paper and then projected her negative through the acetate onto the paper with her enlarger. It worked well. This method could easily be adapted to add text, graphics, or even simple crop marks to a wet darkroom print, either gelatin silver or platinum/palladium, for example.

Just because you don't have InDesign, that shouldn't be an impediment to your creativity. I use InDesign because it's a great tool and I own it. It's certainly not the only game in town.

Learning Photoshop?

Hey Brooks,

I'm a long time reader and someone who has received tons of inspiration from your beautiful publication and I wanted to ask you a question. I am a college student who started off on a 4x5 and have since moved to digital.I have been shooting digital for a few years now, and am trying to get a hold on Photoshop. Do you have any guidance of where to turn to get instruction? Is there a book or class, website, etc., that you could recommend that is a great tool for learning for someone using Photoshop for fine art black and white photography? I know you are super busy, so just get back to me whenever time allows, I really appreciate it.
    — Matt Vogt

   

I cannot recommend too highly the training videos at lynda.com. They have a number of courses specifically dedicated to Photoshop and the various applications of its powerful tools. They charge $25 for a month of unlimited access to any or all of their online video courses. Ideal for learning fast or slow. Check them out and I think you'll find they are exactly what you are looking for.

A few others . . . Adobe's Julieanne Kost has some great tutorials, too, that are freebies. Also, Scott Kelby and NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals) — although their best stuff is only available to members. David Blatner and Conrad Chavez's two books Real World Photoshop CS3 and CS4 are excellent if you prefer learning from books.