| In the part one we looked at what equipment was | | | | the event. The software will also control the next |
| needed to capture a photo and transfer it to a | | | | step of the process, creating the end product. |
| central computer. We used the workflow from a | | | | The final product can be either a digital image or a |
| black-tie event as the basis. Now we'll look at taking | | | | physical print. If you intend to sell digital images at |
| the captured image and producing a final product. | | | | the event then you'll sell them either on CD or |
| The main computer system where the images get | | | | maybe a USB stick. A CD writer and USB interfaces |
| transferred to acts as the file store and also a sales | | | | is required on the computer. |
| station. This should be a reasonably well specified | | | | If a physical print is required then you'll need to |
| machine with plenty of disk space for storage. It's a | | | | connect a printer to the system. Dye-sublimation |
| good idea to load it with a decent amount of | | | | printers provide the perfect solution. Dye-sub printers |
| memory as well to keep the speed up. Event | | | | are quick, typically 30 seconds for a print, the prints |
| photography is about a quick and smooth workflow | | | | are dry out of the printer so there's no chance of |
| and the computer is the central hub that everything | | | | smudging as you may get with an inkjet. They also |
| else links into. You will need to be able to connect at | | | | have a protective coating bonded to the top to |
| least two display screens to this computer, one for | | | | make them water resistant. Dye-sub printers |
| the sales assistant and one for the guests to view | | | | generally work from a roll of paper and will output |
| the images on. | | | | only one size of print so if you wish to sell different |
| It is a good idea to use software specifically created | | | | sizes at an event then multiple printers are the way |
| for event photography. This software allows the | | | | to go. This obviously adds to the cost of setting up |
| images to be quickly located and sorted and then the | | | | an event photography business and the amount of |
| images can be shown on a separate display for the | | | | equipment that you need to carry around to events. |
| guest to view and choose. There are a number of | | | | Finally packaging the print or digital image completes |
| packages available but mainly for PCs. With these | | | | the process. |
| software packages you can do some basic | | | | So, with these two articles I hope you have an |
| retouching such as lighten shadow or adjust the crop | | | | understanding of the basic equipment needed for |
| of an image. You can setup the pricing structure for | | | | event photography. If you intend to cover sports |
| the products you are offering including discount | | | | event or outside events then the amount of |
| pricing for packages or multiple purchases, some will | | | | equipment increases exponentially. But that's for |
| also work out total pricing and handle the printing of | | | | another article. |
| the invoices/receipts and keep track of the sales for | | | | |