7. ” ‘
people actually value
their most recent photos –
and that value drops off rapidly
within weeks if not days
after the photo was taken.
”
- Paul Worthington
‘
31. ”
‘
Photography is a way
of feeling, of touching, of loving.
- Aaron Siskind
Editor's Notes
Slide 1: IntroductionWelcome and introduce yourself
Slide 2: Drowning in Data Last year, in an effort to illustrate the volume of photos posted to the web each day, Dutch artist Erik Kessels created an exhibition that consisted of every single photo posted on Flickr within a 24-hour period.The result? A ceiling-high stack of over 1 million photos that required multiple rooms to hold.Said Kessels, “We’re exposed to an overload of images nowadays and by printing all the images uploaded in a 24-hour period, I visualize the feeling of drowning in representations of other peoples’ experiences.”If you find this image amazing, consider that Flickr represents only a small percentage of total online photo uploads. Facebook is now the top photo sharing site and currently boasts over 250 million photo uploads a day. In fact, on January 1st, 2010, over three times this amount was shared to the site. Recent estimates have Facebook’s total photo collection weighing in at a staggering 140 billion photos, that’s over 10,000 times larger than the Library of Congress. Just to give you a sense of how many photos that represents, if we were to lay that many 4x6 prints side by they would stretch 53 times around the globe. That’s a lot of photos!
Slide 3: The New Face of Photography Tonight, we are going to take a look at this new face of photography and examine how technology has impacted the way we capture and use our photos. We’ll explore why we take photos in the first place, and talk about some of the challenges we face when it comes to managing them. Finally, we’ll look at a plan for sharing and caring for our photos. It might just give you the push you need to make 2012 the year you finally get those photos organized and back into your life.
Slide 4: 1000memories.comThings have certainly changed in the world of personal photography. In two minutes, less time than I’ve been speaking to you, the world has snapped as many photos as the whole of humanity took in the 1800s. Beginning with the introduction of the Kodak Brownie in 1901, the 20th century was the golden age of analog photography peaking at an amazing 85 billion physical photos in the year 2000. But, as we all know things, changed dramatically with the introduction of the digital camera. When the first digital cameras shipped in 1997, critics predicted this new technology wouldn’t succeed simply because there was nothing “wrong” with film photography. How many of you film lovers felt the same way?What we didn’t recognize at the time, was that there was something fundamentally “wrong” with our film cameras - at least from today’s perspective. Can you guess what it was? Exactly, you couldn’t see the picture until the film was developed!Do you remember process we had to go through to see those prints? We’d dropped the film off at the photo lab, wait a few days, and then pay a substantial amount of money to see a few prints. Many of us paid the extra fee for the one hour service, but usually didn’t make it back to pick-up their order for another week! It was only when weopened up that envelope on the way to the car that we finallydiscovered whether or not we captured thatKodakmoment.And if we hadn’t (click to next slide), there was absolutely nothing we could do about it!
Slide 5: “Kodak” MomentHow many of these photos do you have in your collection?Sharing our photos was also pretty inconvenient. It meant going through that same process all over again, only this time we had to find the negative first! And once we had our expensive reprints in hand, we would either deliver them in person or send our precious photographs via snail mail – maybe even register them, just to be sure they got there.When digital cameras came along, we could magically see the images the second we captured them! We knew immediately whether or not we had captured the moment - and just to be sure, we took a few extras! Surprisingly, our new cameras didn’t really fix the problem of photo sharing - at least not for all of us. Consumers were dealing with new technology and a lot of people I knew still treated their memory card like a roll of film. They would use it until it was full and then buy another one!I’m sure wecan all relate to the frustration of trying unsuccessfully to upload images to an online printing site or the challenge of sharing pictures with family members who weren’t using high speed internet.
Slide 6: The Downside of Digital As wonderful as this new technology was and, in spite of all the potential it held for sharing, digital definitely had its downside - not the least of which was the sheer volume of images we were now dealing in. Gone were the days when we would faithfully develop those four precious rolls of 24 upon returning from vacation. Sure we had a lot of great photos to choose from, but have you ever tried to show someone 1500 pictures of your trip to Hawaii? We’ve talked about the popularity of social media, but it didn’t change our lives overnight either. People still had to use cables and computers to get their images from the camera to their online profiles. What has really revolutionized our ability to share photos has been this – the camera phone!While earlier versions left something to be desired in terms of picture quality, today’s new phones are equipped with cameras that are almost as good as our standalone cameras. What’s more, these phones have gone far beyond just being the camera we always have with us. We can use them to send, to receive and even to look at our images. So our lives should be perfect, right?Ironically, all these advances in technology haven’t gotten us as far along as we might have hoped. Yes, it is much easier to share our photos with others. But, unfortunately, we now take our photos a bit for granted.
Slide 7: Paul Worthington QuotePaul Worthington, a technology expert and editor of 6Sight Report, suggested recently that our photos begin to lose their significance once they have served their purpose as a means of communication. He cites studies that have shown people actually value their most recent photos more than older ones – and that value drops off rapidly within weeks, if not days, after the photo is taken.I can’t help but think of the mom who has just discovered her child’s first year of photos have been lost because her computer has crashed, or how precious a photo becomes to us when someone we love dies. Our cluttered hard drives and lack of back-up systems have left our photos at risk and vulnerable to being lost. Technical obsolescence is another issue and it also threatens our memories. If you’re not sure what I mean, just think of your family’s 35 mm movies, slides and old videos that can no longer be viewed with today’s technology.While I believe that photos are for sharing, I am convinced they are for remembering, too. Digital photography has all but instilled a sense of “disposable” to our picture-taking. I think we owe it to ourselves to take a good look at the situation today and decide how important our photos really are to us. Why did we take that photo in the first place and what was it that we wanted to communicate with it?Are our photos important enough to do something now to ensure they will still be available to us in the future? What do you think?Why do you take photos? Click to Slide 8: Why do you take photos?
Slide: 8: Why do you take photos? Why do you take photos? (Audience interaction )
Slide 9: We are a people of storiesWe are a people of stories. And throughout history, people have used storytelling as a way to communicate and document their lives. Since the invention of the camera, people have been using photos to help them tell those stories. Our photos allow us to relive memories and to savour the relationships and experiences we’ve shared with others. Those memories are important to us, to our children and to future generations. They ground us in who we are and give us a sense of belonging and significance.
Slide 10: We need help getting started.But where do we start? Unfortunately, our lack of skills and knowledge about how to deal with the problem, along our ever present time restraints, has resulted in the task of photo management being given a very low priority in our lives. And we’ve only just being talking digital images! How many people here still have boxes of printed photos stored somewhere in your home? How about family movies and slides? Does anybody have memorabilia from saved from years of travel or stacks of children’s artwork that you just can bring yourself to part with? I am here to provide simple solutions to help you get started!Tell your story:when did you first start organizing photos (establish experience) share why you want to help others organize their photos (invites relationship) Introduce Appo, and your role as a Photo Organizer – click to next slide
Slide 11: We tell your stories.A photo organizer is an independent business owner, who specializes in helping people manage their photos. We help clients to organize printed and digital photo collections, install backup systems, create photo books and albums, and scan and digitize slides and other obsolete media. We also offer ideas and suggestions for ways to display and share those photos, as well. Most importantly, photo organizers share a sincere interest in and passion for helping others tell their stories. Hiring a photo organizer is much like hiring an interior decorator or a personal trainer. We are here to help ensure that you accomplish your goals and will work with you to develop a plan based on your needs and your budget. Having a plan brings a sense of relief and reassurance, even if it is a project that will gradually be completed over time.
Slide 12: Appo credentialsI belong to the Association of Personal Photo Organizers. Appo is a Marketing and Training organization, comprised of Independent Business owners who offer personalized, one on one photo management services. One of the unique advantages of being a member, is the opportunity for training through their Appo Certification program. Our Photo Organizers adhere to a code of ethics, and are well trained. You can feel confident that your photos are in good hands, when you hire an Appo Certified, Photo Organizer. To learn more about our Association visit www.appo.org(If this is the end of your presentation - describe the services you offer, and invite audience to fill out your sign up sheet, or ‘contact me’ cards. If you are offering a full presentation, continue with section 2)Section 2 – Providing Solutions Let’s talk about some solutions for your photos.
Slide 13: A photography ecosystemWhether you love the idea of getting help from a professional, or you prefer to do it yourself, I’d like to share a five-step plan for managing your photos. I call it our photography ecosystem.As you can see, the process of photo management can be broken down into five steps – shoot, select, secure, share, andsmile.
Slide 14: ShootCapturing the moment is the first step in telling your family’s story and there are plenty of great resources available tothose of you who would like to improve your photography skills.We’ve already touched on the convenience of smart phones and I agree that the best camera is the one that you have with you. There is much to be said for a good digital SLR, even if you just use the automatic setting. It really depends on how you are going to use those photos.(Presentation Options) any of these options can be offered depending on the length of your presentation provide a tip sheet for taking better photos and review work with a local photographer and use this section for a quick photography lesson – if this is a full day event, a photo walk about can be introduced here. provide a tip sheet for selecting a good camera – you could work with a local IPI photo retailer, who may have samples and technical information to offer take a few photos with your smartphone for later use in demonstrating LINEA
Slide 15: Select The next step in the process, is select.Because we have so many photos and they’re often stored in so many places, both on and off the computer, the task of organizing them can seem pretty overwhelming. The key is gathering them into one place – either on your computer or a table - and then working through a process to select which ones you want to keep.
Slide 16: Select your software: Your first step is to select a digital photo software. You will want to choose a program that is designed for people who want to organize and share their photos, but don’t necessarily want to spend a lot of time editing. These programs are often user friendly, with a simple learning curve. Options: provide suggestions or a handout with recommended software choices introduce the software you use, and share some of its best features
Slide 17: Screen shot of box of printed photosYou may want to consider, digitizing your older printed photos as well. One of the beauties of digital technology is that you can store these pictures together with the images from your digital camera and camera phone. Once your old photos have been digitized, you can use the same tools to enhance and share them, as well.I usually scan prints at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi (dots per square inch). Opting for 600 dpi, will allow you to capture a bit more detail and you’ll be able to make larger prints from the digital files.Options: introduce your scanning services if you offer them provide a tip sheet with scanning do’s and don’ts provide suggestions for home scanners (this is a good time to introduce Flip Pal)
Slide 18: Sort your photosYour next step is to selectthe photos you want to keep.
Slide 19: ABC’s of organizingMany photo organizers use a system we call the “ABC’s of photo organizing” to help clients work through this sorting process. This is a concept that was developed by the Founder of Appo, Cathi Nelson. It is a simple system that is easy to remember, and applies to both your printed and digital images. TIP: As you work, stay focused on sorting your photos as quickly and as objectively as possible. This is just your first run through, so try not to spend a lot of time reminiscing.Options: provide a hands on demonstration in front of them have guests bring a box of photos, or laptop with digital images for a ‘working workshop or class’
Slide 20: A is for Album.Your “A” photos are the ones that belong in an album or a photo book. If you are sorting digital photos, you’ll want to identify these images by tagging them with a flag or a rating. If you are sorting physical pictures, put them in your “A” pile.
Slide 21: B is for Box. Photos that are important to you should be printed and organized in an archival storage box. This may sound counterintuitive; however, prints offer one of the most reliable and long-lasting means of preserving photographs. Printed photographs are very stable and can last hundreds of years when properly stored. They also aren’t susceptible to computer crashes and technical obsolescence. You probably won’t want to print all of your images, but making hard copies of your favourites is a good idea. Show the Linea Legacy box and share it’s features and benefits or show the photo box that you use and recommend.
Slide 22: C is for Can.As you sort through the photos that you want to keep, you can delete the remaining images from your computer. One way to simplify this task is to get in the habit of deleting the images you don’t want directly from your camera. If you prefer to review them a little more carefully, do it once you have imported them into your digital photo software. Physical photos that you no longer need to keep can go directly into the trash can. Offer example of photos that could be deleted or trashed ie: blurry, multiple scenery images etc.
Slide 23: S is for Story.Does the photo tell a story? Sometimes a photo that seems poorly composed at first glance is actually very significant because of the story that it represents. Keep this in mind as you sort through your photos. Have a note book handy where can jot down the details and cross reference them with your photos. If you can, enter the details directly into your digital photo software. Photos of people are important, especially loved ones. Photos with historical significance, for example, a home before it was remodeled, the houses on your street, your children’s playground – these types of photos are valuable and worth keeping.
Slide 24: Organize by themeNow you are ready to organize your photos. As I mentioned, some programs will automatically sort your photos chronologically. You’ll find much more interesting to look at your pictures, however, if your photos are organized by themes, rather than just date. This also solves the problem of determining a specific date or year for older prints. Here are some questions you can ask yourself, to determine the kinds of themes that are specific to your family.Do you go on vacation each year? To the same place or different places? Maybe one of your folders could be called “the places we love to go” Is your family into sports? Perhaps you’ll set up a folder labeled “we love to compete”.How do you celebrate birthdays? What are your family traditions? If you asked your family, what would they say are important traditions to them?You may also come across photos that represent more challenging or difficult times in your life, such as an illness, or the loss of a family member. While working with photos like these can be very healing, organizers are sensitive to fact that photos often hold a lot of emotion. If it’s necessary, it is okay to set these pictures aside until you are ready to work with them.
Slide 25: SecureCreating a secure backup system is a critical part of your overall ecosystem. According to Aimee Baldridge, author of Organizing Your Digital Life, your storage system should accomplish two basic goals: Your photos should be accessible;You should be able to recover your photos in the event of a computer failure, a natural disaster or a theft and restore your collection without it being a lengthy or expensive process. To accomplish these goals, you should back up and archive your collection to at least two sources:Ahome backup that is triggered automatically each time you finish working on your collection + a regular archive of this back up. A remote backup of your collection using an online photo storage service that is archived to one or more servers for extra protection.
Slide 26: Home backup + archiveIn addition to storing your photos on a high-capacity, hard-drive such as your personal computer, your photo collection should be backed up automatically to an external hard drive. If you have more than one computer and a home network, a NAS or “network-attached storage” device is another option. Your backup storage should be archived to CD’s or DVD’s approximately once a month depending on how often you add photos to your collection. Ideally, thesedics’s should be kept at location other than your home.Be aware that there are different qualities of discs on the market. You shouldchoose archival discs - Gold CD- R’s or DVD-R’s. They do cost a little more, but these discs are more reliable for long-term backup storage. The reflective layer of these discs is made with gold and this makes them more stable. The R stands for recordable. Make sure you do not use RW discs, a rewriteable format, for obvious reasons. An alternative archive solution is a device called Picture Keeper. This option is less bulky than CDs and is easy to store. It’s especially helpful if you are just getting started with organizing your photos and want to get them backed up right away. Picture Keeper is a backup device that automatically finds and copies all of your photos when you plug it into your computer. When you do subsequent backups, the software in it finds any new additions and images that have been changed and adds those to its files. It works with both Macs and PCs.
Slide 27: Online backup + archiveYour photo collectionshould also be backed up to an online storage service, often referred to as the “cloud”. There are many different types of photo sharing sites and a variety of features, so it’s worth doing a little research. Take care to read the fine print and choose a service that you can trust with your photos. It is very important to ensure that you are getting the level of privacy and security that you require. Many sites will allow you to upload a limited number of images for free, but you should expect to pay a nominal monthly or annual subscription for services that offer privacy and freedom from advertising and information mining, as that is how free sites make their money. Be aware of how long your images are available to export back onto your computer should you choose to let your subscription expire and make sure that the site stores your images on more than one server at their full, original resolution so that you can retrieve the files in the same size that you uploaded. Many sites store your pictures as thumbnails to save space and therefore are not a good option as a backup. I recommend Linea Lineboxfor storing all you’re ‘A’ images. Linea offers both privacy and security for your images. Images are fully encrypted when they are uploaded with state-of-the art security technologies. They are stored on three secured servers with the same protective infrastructure that the Pentagon uses. You have complete control over who sees your images, and you can share the lines (folders) you create with anyone. Viewers can add their own images to your Line, allowing you pass photos back and forth between family members easily. They can comment and add captions or details to the images, which allows you to curate your family stories faster and easier. And Linea is compatible with both your Mac and PC – users can add and view photos from their smart phones and tablets, making it a complete system that engages your whole family. Options: demonstrate Linea by taking a photo of your audience, and send it to Linea – show the image on your laptop, or iPad to demonstrate real time sharing. provide shopping tip sheet for external hard drive comparisons
Slide 28: ShareThere are many wonderful ways to display and share your best photos with others. We just talked about a simple way to share your photos online using Linea Linebox. But of course, there are many other ways to share your photos, and bring them back into your life. wall displays photo gifts digital and traditional albums digital framesIf you are using FB, make sure you have your privacy settings set so that people you wouldn’t invite into your home are not seeing your children’s pictures on line. Be aware that photos shared on FB become the property of FB and images are saved as thumbnails, so it is not a good option for storage.Options: have a table display that includes samples of various ways to share photos. A canvas print, framed print, photo book, traditional photo album, photo gifts, posters, etc.
Slide 29: Photo Book screen shotOne of my favourite ways to display photos is in a photo book. These books are created digitally, uploaded and then printed professionally. The end result is a beautiful “coffee table” style book that showcases your photos and that can be easily duplicated, if more than one copy is needed. Share one of your favourite photos books. If you love the look of the books, but you don’t have the time or interest in learning how, then this might be a perfect project to hire me to do for you. Options: offer software options or book making services, that you use.
Slide 30: SmileThe final step of our photography ecosystem doesn’t require a lot of explanation. If you have a plan in place that allows you to share and enjoy your best photos easily and you are confident that your images and the stories they represent are organized and secure, then you won’t be able to help but smile. Good thing - because some you know probably has a camera and just might want to take your photo and start the process all over again!
Slide 31: ConclusionTonight, we’ve learned how technology has influenced and shaped our ability to share our photos. We’ve acknowledged the important role photos play in our lives - both as a means of communications and as a way to document and share our stories today and in the future. Now, you have a plan to help you manage and protect your best photos – and somewhere to turn if you need help getting started. If you’d like more information about the services I offer or you’d like to find out more about Appo and the services we provide to our members, I’d be happy to answer your questions. I’d like to wrap up our session this evening with these words from acclaimed film photographer Aaron Siskind:“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What (we) have caught on film is captured forever… it remembers little things, long after (we) have forgotten everything.”Thank you.
