New Blog Location September 21, 2009
Posted by Mark Mizen in Uncategorized.Tags: All About Images, Creative Memories
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I would like to thank everyone who has enjoyed this blog and participated in its development. All About Images blog is now accessible off Creative Memories home page at blogs.creativememories.com/all_about_images. Check out this site for current posts and new information.
Digital Completes Albums August 28, 2009
Posted by Mark Mizen in Uncategorized.Tags: Autofill, digital photos, StoryBook Creator, Wikipedia
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I admit it. My Australian album from 2005 is half completed and sitting on a shelf. I have no idea when I will actually complete it. It is a traditional album, started prior to Creative Memories release of StoryBook Creator Plus.
I went to Australia again this year and I was determined not to let the same thing happen. I am happy to report that Australia 2009 is complete and for those of you on Facebook, the entire album is available.
I used a simple approach. I started with autofilling the basic black template. I then modified the pages as needed to fit my photos. Next I replaced the black background with pages from the Creative Memories Discover Power Palette. Finally, I added journaling. Most of the journaling was taken directly from Wikipedia. With traditional album making, this album would still be on the list of things to do.
More than Megapixels August 20, 2009
Posted by Mark Mizen in Uncategorized.Tags: Digital camera, Fujifilm F200EXR, megapixel, New York Times, Sony DSC-WX1
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An article appeared in the New York Times on August 19 illustrating the point I have been trying to make that image quality is determined by more than megapixels. The Sony DSC-WX1 was recommended and fared significantly better than the Fuji F200EXR in their evaluation. For more details see http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/technology/personaltech/20pogue.html?_r=1&ref=technology.
StoryBooks are now even better! August 6, 2009
Posted by Mark Mizen in Uncategorized.Tags: Creative Memories, Custom Covers, digital photos, photo book, Photography, Protective Endsheets, Stitched Binding, StoryBooks
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In September, we will start manufacturing all Hardcover StoryBooks here at Creative Memories. This change allows us to further integrate digital StoryBooks with our traditional products.
Improved quality
Starting in September, we’ll be discontinuing all 11 x 8.5 linen and leatherette StoryBooks and replacing them with books manufactured with Creative Memories’ traditional bookcloth. This bookcloth has improved stain and abrasion resistance. In addition, we’re taking advantage of the latest printing technology to produce higher quality pages for our StoryBooks. This technology uses clear toner to improve the photographic appearance of the printed page.
Our Hardcover StoryBooks will continue to have all of the features that set our current StoryBooks apart from the competition, including:
• High-quality laminated custom covers
• Protective end sheets
• Stitched binding
Our books are tested at elevated temperatures and under high humidity conditions. They will withstand years of use and are truly designed to last for generations.
New products
In October, we will be introducing the 8 x 8 Softcover StoryBook with a glossy personalized cover. In addition, the current 7 x 5 Softcover StoryBook will be discontinued and replaced with a new 7 x 5 Softcover StoryBook with a custom cover. The new custom covers will give our Softcover StoryBooks a distinctive appearance that further differentiates us from the competition. We’ll also be using an improved adhesive designed to give Softcover StoryBooks added durability.
Make it big or small
StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0 allows 12 x 12 and 11 x 8.5 StoryBooks to be easily converted to 8 x 8 and 7 x 5 StoryBooks. At this time, StoryBook Creator Plus doesn’t support converting smaller sizes into larger sizes, so if you’re planning on resizing your StoryBook, you will want to create it at the larger size. Finally, in October we’ll be adding calendar designs to StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0 in preparation for a brand new calendar design we’re introducing in November. Watch Scraps for details.
The complete September/October Tech Notes is available as a PDF at Tech Notes_200909&10.
More on Turning Photo Books into Bricks July 29, 2009
Posted by Mark Mizen in Uncategorized.Tags: Fujifilm, humidity, ISO, photo book, Photography
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In Turning Photo Books into Bricks I described how high humidity will turn many photo books made from traditional photographic paper into bricks. The Fuji Film Memo describing the problem and a Translation are now available here.
At the last ISO meeting on image permanence, Kodak, Fuji, and others submitted comments or argued strongly that these photo books should be allowed in future ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards. To do otherwise, they argued, might reduce sales of photo books. This argument runs contrary to the ISO’s general focus on quality improvements. My belief is that instead of allowing all photo books, future ISO standards should ensure that high-quality photo books will last for generations. This discussion is not settled and we will see how it plays out at the next ISO meeting, which will take place in October 2009 in Tokyo.
Caution!!!!! Free Family Photo Opportunity July 2, 2009
Posted by Mark Mizen in Uncategorized.Tags: Debra Johnson, Free Family Photo Opportunity, PhotoBox Studio, Photography, Portrait, Proex
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My family and I typically have portraits taken before the holidays at Proex and have always been pleased with the results. Last year we missed the chance to have portraits taken. Our schedule was busy and we called too late.
Consequently, we were excited when we received an email earlier this year from Debra Johnson, a lead photographer at PhotoBox Studio offering free portraits in exchange for helping her develop her portfolio. We agreed to participate and even bought new shoes for the kids. We set the date for the early April.
When we arrived at Debra’s studio at the scheduled time she was ready but was clearly still getting her studio set up. She seemed capable and we enjoyed having the photos taken. Her son wandered around the studio while she worked. Our children are of a similar age and they seemed to get along well. We left on what appeared to be good terms. Debra indicated that we would receive our photos and a free 11×14 in a couple of weeks and that we would need to sign a release at that time.
Unfortunately, our photos disappeared into the black hole of Debra’s studio. In spite of my wife’s countless emails and phone calls, all we have at this time are empty promises and the memories of our photo session. I am still not clear on why someone starting a new business would operate this way.
At least one other family we know of also responded to Debra’s email and they were treated no better. I will now be more skeptical of offers like Debra’s email. In addition, I will be calling Proex earlier this year.
Turning Photo Books into Bricks June 25, 2009
Posted by Mark Mizen in Uncategorized.Tags: blocking, bricks, Fujifilm, humidity, moisture, PEN Weekly, photo book, Photo Electronic News, Photo Imaging News, photographic paper
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The easiest way to turn a photo book into a brick is to order one of the new photo books printed on traditional photographic paper. Most of these books are produced with uncoated photo paper that is placed in direct contact with another sheet of photo paper on the opposing page. In high humidity or in the presence of moisture, the pages will stick together forming an inseparable brick.
In my tests, two weeks at 80% relative humidity was sufficient to create a photo book brick. These conditions are relatively common in tropical climates such as Hawaii and Puerto Rico, and are present elsewhere in the U.S. at various times during the year.
At this time, manufacturers of photo papers have resisted efforts to develop ISO specifications that would prevent photo books from turning into bricks, although Fujifilm did recently put out the following warning as reported in Photo Imaging News, June 22, 2009:
According to PEN Weekly, Fujifilm recently distributed a document alerting wholesale labs and minilabs about possible sticking of pages in photobooks and design albums with prints on both sides of paper that don’t have laminating on print surface, as reported in Photo Trade Express. The document recommends laminating with film, liquid lamination, or interleaving paper in between print surfaces.
At this time, I recommend avoiding books produced with traditional photographic paper, unless you are certain these books are have been tested under high humidity condition and that they are treated to prevent the pages from sticking together.
Kodak taking Kodachrome away June 23, 2009
Posted by Mark Mizen in Uncategorized.Tags: Kodachrome, Kodak, Stability, USA Today
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It was inevitable. It’s now official. This morning’s USA Today confirmed that Kodak is discontinuing Kodachrome:
Eastman Kodak said Monday it’s retiring its most senior film because of declining customer demand in an increasingly digital age.
The world’s first commercially successful color film, immortalized in song by Simon, spent 74 years in Kodak’s portfolio. It enjoyed its heyday in the 1950s and ’60s, but in recent years has nudged closer to obscurity: Sales of Kodachrome are now just a fraction of 1% of the company’s total sales of still-picture films, and only one commercial lab in the world still processes it and it was being made only about once a year.
I used Kodachrome for years, including 35 and 120 film sizes. The vibrant colors and stability of this film proved compelling, at least until digital and its immediacy became more compelling.
Kodachromes from the 1950’s and 1960’s are still as vibrant as the the day they were taken, unlike other images from that time period, Now we need to worry about how to give digital images that same stability, and the answer is not simple. Many digital images are not printed and if the images are printed, they may be on unstable paper. Consumers need to ask how long their photos will last now, rather than after it is too late.
See also http://homepage.1000words.kodak.com/default.asp?item=2388083 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodachrome.
Step forward with the new Page Print June 15, 2009
Posted by Mark Mizen in Uncategorized.Tags: Creative Memories, digital print, digital printing press, light stability, Page Print, sharpness, Tech Notes
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Effective July 1, Creative Memories is discontinuing the current Page Print and replacing it with the new and improved Page Print. This is the first step in Creative Memories’ in-house digital printing initiative designed to improve the quality of our digitally printed products.
With this change we are replacing a product that was produced on standard photographic paper with one that is digitally printed on high-quality, acid-free, lignin-free, buffered paper. To produce these new prints, we are taking advantage of the latest technology, which allows us to simulate a traditional photographic print on a high-speed digital printing press.
The new Page Prints have three times the light stability of our previous traditional photographic prints, when tested using the latest ISO draft test methods. Dark stability is even better, with prints unaffected by air pollution and expected to last more than 100 years when stored in albums. The new Page Print is available with matte and glossy surfaces. Both surfaces are created with a clear toner that protects the Page Print from damage due to handling. The new Page Print resists damage from humidity, water and accidental spills.
Digital print (left) compared to traditional photographic print (right).
Finally, digital printing has improved sharpness when compared to traditional photographic prints. And this increases the legibility of journaling and added text.
The July/August Tech Notes column is also available as a PDF file at Tech Notes_200907&08.
Trouble with Facebook June 10, 2009
Posted by Mark Mizen in HelloTxt.Tags: Facebook, Red X, Uploads
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Trouble with Facebook – New photo uploads and some older photos show as a red X. Any Suggestions?
