Thursday, March 22, 2012

Volume II Issue 1 - JVH Large Format Digital Printing Workshop

Embassy Suites Hotel in Bellevue, WA was the site on March 20 & 21, 2012 for the 8th Annual JVH Large Format Digital Printing (LFDP) Workshop, Festival and Print Contest.  We thank John Harrington, owner of JVH Technical LLC (www.jvhtech.com), his wife Kathy, son Ryan and Carol Manoha for the hard work that went into coordinating this great event. The featured keynote speaker was John Paul Caponigro (www.johnpaulcaponigro.com), nationally renowned landscape photographer, Photoshop and print guru.  He was joined by medium format guru and co-owner of Luminous Landscape, Dr. Mark Dubovoy (www.luminouslandscape.com) and John Pannozzo, President of ColorByte Software (the maker of Image Print) (www.colorbytesoftware.com).  Other presenters were Corinne and Stevn Alavekios from Photographic Essays (http://photographicessays.com), Mark Fitzgerald (Photoshop and Lightroom workflow, teacher and author from The Digital Darkroom) and John Morse from Mounting and Lam Supplies out of Melbourne, Florida.  Technical support was provided by Rob Simpson, field engineer for Epson (www.epson.com) and Ron Martinsen (tech support blogger).  Additional vendors were from Canon, Moab/Legion Media, Sun Supply,  and EFI.

The information-packed first day of the workshop included tips on how to optimize workflow to get the best quality from our images.  The pros offered techniques on color management in both PhotoShop and Lightroom.  We learned additional methods on converting images from color to black and white.  New information on canvas stretching and framing will be helpful in future and the presentation on how to pose models in natural light provided new insight.

During the second day, calibrating and characterizing equipment to obtain a more seamless workflow was discussed along with the techniques, helpful hardware and software tools to deliver phenomenal prints.  Technical strengths between medium format and 35mm equipment was shared.  The history, evolution and longevity of print making was studied in depth. 



Near the end, a great panel consisting of (from left) John Paul Caponigro, John Harrington, Rob Simpson, Dr. Mark Dubovoy and John Pannozzo answered audience questions covering a variety of subjects.Ken and I gained valuable insights from all the above mentioned speakers and the networking with other attendees.  We felt it was well worth the time and I know the marketing skills we received will enhance our photographic images and business.