Digital photography means that images are usually retouched by photographers, rather than a photo lab or pre-press company.
My responsibility to insure accurate reproduction is a fact of life. For instance, a photo needs to be in the correct color-space (say, Adobe RGB or CMYK), and at the correct resolution (72 ppi for the web or 300 ppi for printing).
All these details – along with my and my client’s contact information, and more – travel with every image, embedded in the metadata.
My monitors (even my office printer) are color-calibrated to insure photos look the same everywhere, on paper or computer.
I'm happy to explain my own - and industry - practices without anyone needing an advanced degree in physics. I certainly don't have one (ask me how many times I had to take algebra).
Two terrific resources - in plain language - about digital best-practices and terminology are on the web – for free.
www.updig.org
Universal Photographic Digital Imaging Guidelines. These notes are put together by an amazingly wide array of professional organizations and corporations to help everyone in the digital world speak the same language. UPDIG has been recognized by the Library of Congress as the premier guide for digital imaging, workflow, and archiving image files.
www.useplus.com
The Picture Licensing Universal System. Another large consortium of companies and organizations (some of the same contributors as above,) whose aim is to clarify terms and practices between image suppliers (such as photographers and stock houses) and clients of all kinds, including direct clients, advertisers, and publications.
BARRY SCHWARTZ PHOTOGRAPHY
Los Angeles, CA
tel / fax 310.348.9927
mobile 310.721.9882
email: blschwartz@earthlink.net