The document explains the concept of proof copies of photographs, detailing various methods for sharing them with customers, including paper and digital formats. It discusses the benefits and drawbacks of each method, as well as protective measures like watermarks to prevent unauthorized use of digital proofs. The document also includes an example task with questions related to proof copies and their delivery methods.

1. Proof Copies of Photos

2. Objectives
• Know what a ‘proof copy’ of a
photograph is
• Describe a range of methods of giving
proof copies to customers
• Explain benefits & drawbacks of methods
of sharing proof photographs

3. Contact Sheet
• Photographers working with
film would get tiny prints
done to pick out which were
the ‘keepers’ from a session
• Now when using digital we
can create ‘proof sheets’ for
customers to choose which
photos they want to buy so
they perhaps pay for 20
photos out of 100 in a session
• The images are ‘proof’ that
what the customer pays for
will be as good as they hope
A contact sheet from a portrait session
with Margaret Thatcher by Peter
Marlow- showing which photo he chose
to use from a whole film of pictures

4. Paper Proof Photos
• Proofs can be posted to the customer on
paper to choose from small ‘thumbnails’
• This is also called a ‘hard copy’ – the proofs
would be output with a high-quality photo
printer
• E.g. the school photographer does it this way
– proofs are given out by your form tutor so
your family can order copies if they want

5. Digital Proof Photos
• Proof photos could be emailed to customers
• However, most photographers now have
websites to show customers digital proofs
• Often each session has its own password to
keep proof copies private
• These are often small versions of the full-size
image – also called thumbnails, but may
have a larger version if you click

6. Protecting Digital Proofs
• Some customers might not want to pay
for full copies of photos if all they want
to do is post on Facebook
• So how could a photographer stop them
from doing that?

7. Protecting Digital Proofs
• Disable right-click & copy
• Watermarks
• Legal text
• Password so others can’t see the photo
All of these can be ignored or got around if
people want to!

8. Choosing Paper or Digital
Paper
• Small/medium cost each
time – postage, paper &
printing
• Seems more ‘old fashioned’
• Customers can view any
time with no computer
• Photos are ‘smaller’
• Slightly lower chance of
copying photos
Digital
• Website costs quite a lot to
set up but no extra cost per
customer
• Seems more ‘up to date’
• Customers can view on any
computer, any time
• Photos can be zoomed
• Slightly easier for customer
to copy photos without
paying

9. Task
• Download the ‘student task’ from the
VLE
• You’ll need to answer the questions &
put some example images in to show

10. Exam Question – Read Carefully
1. Proof copies of photographs are sent to customers
a few days after the photographic session.
a) Proof copies of photographs need to be manipulated
before being sent to customers. One of these
techniques is called a “Watermark”.
Explain why a watermark may be used. [2]
b) Proof copies may be sent electronically or as a hard
copy.
Identify one hardware device that could be used to
create a hard copy of the photographs. [1]
c) Describe how proof copies of photographs may be
sent electronically to the customers. [2]

11. Example Answer
• Look at the answers and decide (in pairs)
how many marks they should get
a) To stop people from copying the photo
b) A printer
c) On a website
a) A watermark shows that the photo has not been paid
for, so customers can’t use it without looking cheap
b) A laser printer
c) A website could be set up where customers log in
with a session password and then can choose the
photos they want to buy

12. Exam Question – Your Go!
1. Proof copies of photographs are sent to customers
a few days after the photographic session.
a) Proof copies of photographs need to be manipulated
before being sent to customers. One of these
techniques is called a “Watermark”.
Explain why a watermark may be used. [2]
b) Proof copies may be sent electronically or as a hard
copy.
Identify one hardware device that could be used to
create a hard copy of the photographs. [1]
c) Describe how proof copies of photographs may be
sent electronically to the customers. [2]