It’s Online and Totally Free!

Because of the high number of downloads of the Microsoft Excel version of our Estimator, we’ve just launched a new and improved version you can access right from within your web browser – no download required.

Why You Should Care

It’s important to make smart decisions or your business could easily stagnate instead of flourish – especially these days. Yet I’m constantly surprised at the number of photographers who haven’t done the math, or fail to truly explore whether outsourcing their post-production would be appropriate for their situation. After all, ignoring any potential business improvements that may provide a cost advantage is not a good idea.

We’ve Done the Work, You Have the Easy Part

Just plug in 7 numbers that I’m sure you know off the top of your head and you’ll have an answer. The Estimator will make all of the calculations for you. What have you got to lose?

Visit our Estimator Page Containing Additional Information

We’re Passing the $aving$ on to You.

8GB and 16GB Swivel Drives from Pexagon Technology are not only handy to have on hand, but are a great way to send your larger orders to us. Both sizes come pre-loaded with our required folder structure and are emblazoned with our logo. A black lanyard and box are included.

The busy season is in full swing. Pick up one or two today and you’ll be prepared when it’s time to send your next order.

16GB Swivel Drive was $54.99, NOW $44.99 – You Save $10!
8GB Swivel Drive was $31.99, NOW $24.99 – You Save $7!

Visit our store to learn more and place an order.

Demystifying “Basic” vs. “Custom” Color Correction

If you need a good, basic color correction that targets the skin tones, then you should consider using our Basic Color Correction Service. There are a couple of significant differnences between our Basic and Custom Color Correction Services. Let’s review them here:

Our Basic color correction is a great option for anyone needing a quick turn around time and a solid proof-quality color correction. That, combined with the convenience of image upload and download and a lower price make this an attractive option when time is of the essence, but you still need great quality.

Here’s how you place a Basic Color Correction order:

It’s simple, just follow these steps after downloading our ROES Ordering Application.

1. Click the “Catalog” dropdown in the middle of the left panel of the application window and select the “Color Correction” option.
2. The center panel will change to the “Color Correction” option.
3. In the bottom of the right panel, click the “Folder” button and navigate to the folder containing your JPEG images.
4. Drag the JPEG images you want color corrected into the blue “Color Correction Drop Box” square in the middle panel of the application. You can do this multiple times if necessary to add images to your order.
5. You can click “Review Order” in the bottom of the middle panel to review and complete your order.

That’s it! Within 1-3 days you will receive an email that the corrections are complete and ready for download.

Can Outsourcing Your Post Production Save You Money?

I know there are a lot of photographers who pay attention to what’s happening in the world of post production outsourcing, but are on the fence as to whether it’s the right approach for their situation. After all, if you do the post production, retouching, album and slideshow design yourself, you don’t have to write a check to pay for the work, so you’re saving money – right? Unfortunately it’s not that simple.

Just because you don’t “write a check” doesn’t mean there isn’t a cost associated with doing the work yourself. And that cost can be quite substantial. In fact, not only are you doing the work at a competitively unsustainable hourly rate, but spending time in front of your computer prohibits you from doing other things – like shooting another portrait session or wedding.

Enter the concept of “Opportunity Cost.” Wikipedia defines Opportunity Cost as

” … the next-best choice available to someone who has picked between several mutually exclusive choices.”

Let’s put that in terms that make sense to photographers. You shoot an event or session that creates post production work. You decide that instead of paying someone $10, $15, or even $20 per hour to do it for you, you will do it yourself. So how do you quantify, in dollars, the opportunity cost of your decision? Let’s take a look.

If you bill your time at $100 per hour, you could be out shooting another wedding, but instead, you spend time in front of the computer doing post production work. Let’s say it takes you 8 hours to process an entire wedding start to finish. So it costs you $800 to do the work. This is a real cost because instead of doing the work you could be shooting another event at $100 per hour.

What if it only cost you $400 for someone to do the work for you and they can do it as good as or better than you can do it yourself? Then the Opportunity Cost of your decision is at least $400 ($800-$400). I say at least, because we haven’t explored any other options.

Hmmmmm interesting …

Conclusion

If you’re still convinced that outsourcing your post production is a losing proposition, I challenge you to launch our Savings Estimator and see if Silverback can save you money. Just plug in seven numbers and you’ll have your answer.

Have fun and let us know how your estimate turns out!

True “Custom” Adjustments

This video contains before/after examples of our Custom Color Correction, Custom B&W Conversion, and Artistic Enhancements. These are the type of corrections you can expect when you order post production services under our Plan or a la carte offerings. We take guidance from the questionnaire you fill out when you sign up to become a customer. You provide a written explanation of how you want your color corrections, black and white conversions, and artistic enhancements to look. Then you upload example images when you submit your questionnaire. We use this information to create your studio’s custom profile which your Silverback Image Specialist uses to process your images when you place an order.

The cost of the adjustment includes XMP files so you have the ability to see our adjustments in Bridge or Lightroom. Because we include XMP files we can only accept RAW files for these services.

So if you want your images to reflect the “look” you’ve spent so much time to develop, our Plans or a la carte post production services are for you! Check them out today.

Zen and Neo Classic Books make quite a splash at WPPI

AsukaBook has added two cool new offerings to their lineup – Zen and Neo Classic Books

Zen Lay-Flat Book

Zen Lay-Flat books have a new binding system that allows the pages to lay flat for a great presentation. Losing part of your image to gutter loss is a thing of the past! You can order the book in 12×12, 10×10, and 8×8 sizes, with laminate matte or glossy paper finishes. The book comes delivered in a frosted plastic case.

The book comes in Hard Cover and EX versions with designable covers. You can order between 20 and 100 pages in increments of 10 pages.

Check out the Zen Lay-Flat Book.

Neo Classic Book

If you’re looking for a more traditional book, you’ll want to check out the Neo Classic.  With thicker board-type pages and 6-color printing your images will look fantastic.  You can order the book in 10×10, and 8×11 sizes, with laminate matte or glossy paper finishes. With a slide-in case, designable cushioned hard cover, and place to insert a CD or DVD this one has all of the bases covered.

You can order the book in 20, 30, or 40 page sizes.

Check out the Neo Classic Book.

The One-Two Punch!

Because of our relationship with AsukaBook we can:

1. Adjust/retouch your images
2. Create your album design, and
3. Place your AsukaBook order for you

All you have to do is Sign Up to be a Silverback Client to get the ball rolling. Life just got a lot easier!

Silverback Imaging and Design The next evolution in post production

	Part of the Silverback Learning Series

Featuring Special Guest, Jules Bianchi

Tuesday April 13, 2010

How much information is too much? Learn how using social media can move you forward in your business, boost your SEO position and ultimately help you find the right clients for you.

Our good friend, great photographer, and extraordinary business woman, Jules Bianchi will discuss Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, WordPress, and how all those things can work together to enhance your business, and how to utilize them effectively.

You don’t want to miss this informative session.

This is the first in a series of informational Webinars brought to you by your friends at Silverback Imaging and Design. Bill Moore will be your host for this informative session.

Bring your questions and be prepared to learn from one of the most “social” photographers in the business!

System Requirements

PC-based attendees

- Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP, 2003 Server or 2000

Macintosh®-based attendees

– Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

www.silverbackimaging.com