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Monthly Newsletter
March 2010
In This Issue
Batch File Renaming
Poster Sizes
Lighting Tip
Family History
tip...
 
BATCH FILE RENAMING


If you find yourself needing to rename a group of image files the tool I see recommended most often is a free program called xnview. This tool is especially useful if you need to rename files so you can organise them in a set order for a slideshow or PhotoBook. It is also ideal for renaming image files from memory cards to something that will help you find them easily later such as WEDDING###

More info here...

 tip...
 
REDUCING IMAGE FILE SIZES
 

In our classes I have been recommending
the Windows Image
Resize tool for quickly
resizing a single photo or a batch of them.
However when I recently upgraded from Windows
XP to Windows 7 I
discovered this tool
wasn't compatible with Windows Vista or Windows 7.
I have since found a clone of this that is compatible with these two operating systems.
 
 
reminder...
 
 
POSTER SIZES
available through our kiosk system
  
11x14" enlargement
12x18" enlargement 
16x20" enlargement
18x24" enlargement
20x30" enlargement
24x36" enlargement
8x20" panorama
18x54" panorama
24x72"  panorama
 
Printed with a 12-ink printing system using HP Vivera Pigment Inks on satin paper
 
Did you know you can make a collage with only one photo? Ideal if the shape of your photo differs from that of the sizes above.
 
Did you know you can ad
d text to enlargements in the Preview mode?
 
   
HISTORY VIDEO
 
Check out our updated video of Snapshot's changing faces since 1928
 
 click here
 
 
 
Quick Links...
 
 
 
Greetings!

It's March already and we've officially entered the season of autumn. Despite all those photo opportunities of brightly coloured l trees I'm hoping those leaves will stay green and on the trees as long as possible as I'm enjoying the warm weather.
This provides a good analogy for this month's article on Family History Photobooks - think of your family tree with the leaves as fragments of family history. When Autumn comes (our senior years) memories begin to fade so leaves start to drop. We need to start recording family memories before the leaves fall and leave bare patches on the family tree.
 

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CUSTOMER CARPARK now available
We now have a customer carpark available for in-store customers only - please phone for more details.
 

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this months accessory 
...
              5-in-1 COLLAPSIBLE DISC REFLECTORS

5-in-1 Collapsible Reflector Disc Kits are a great accessory for using outdoors and in the studio, serving as a fill light source by bouncing existing light at subjects as well as controlling contrast, adding warmth and increasing specular highlights5in1.

Each kit contains a white translucent panel panel that can twist and fold up to fit into a travel pouch. This panel is great for diffusing sunlight to create softer, lower contrast lighting outdoors. The kit also includes a reversible wrap that can be zipped around the diffusion panel. The wrap has a total of four different surfaces - bright white, silver, black and gold (or wavy gold). Five accessories in one handy pouch!

To use a reflector you may need to get it pretty close to your subject - without getting it in the shot. Position the reflector so that it's glow bounces to light your subject's face (or object). Aim for even lighting with no shadows so keep re-positioning the reflector until you achieve this. If photographing a person get them to hold the disc in their lap, or use an assistant, or purchase a reflector holder that can be mounted into most regular lighting stands.
5in1 reflectors come in different sized panels (e.g. 80cm or 100cm diameter).

 
 

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memories...
           FAMILY HISTORY PHOTOBOOKS

We've been busy promoting our photo scanning services and PhotoBooks for the past year but scanning photos then presenting them in a PhotoBook only provides a pictorial record of life's events. What happens if the creator of the book is not around to explain the story behind the photos? We need to include text so the book can tell it's own story, just as journaling does in a Photo Scrapbook. 

This hit home recently when my father-in-law got ill and within the space of a few months changed from a person with a wonderful recollection of his life to a person with little recollection. We knew there was something wrong when he struggled to identify people in a photo collection I'd just scanned, and now it's too late to enlist his help in recording his family history. Fortunately he gave a good account of his own busy life from when he arrived in Hamilton aged 21 at his 80th five years ago so I have transcribed the video of his speech and combined these words with many of the family photos to create a family history photobook for his grandchildren. 

history book
 
There's no time like the present to start working on your family history - your parents', your children, and your own. Start getting your photos scanned by us (coupon below) and recording memories onto paper (or a PC) ASAP. 
To find out how to combine words with your photos to tell a life story follow this link (I will be expanding the information on this page so come back for another visit later) or come in and ask to see our copy of the Family History Photbook discussed above.

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We look forward to helping you soon.
 
Regards,

Jill Boswell
and the Snapshot Cameras team
SPECIAL OFFER for MARCH
 20% off the "bulk scanning rate" for all photo scans & slide scans that qualify for this rate  (email jill for a brochure with prices and requirements) 
Offer Expires March 31st, 2010.  
Share this offer...forward this email to a friend using the "Forward email" link below...