I am interested in taking my photo. work to the next level, i.e. trying to get it out in the world rather than bothering my friends and family for encouragement! My question is this: do I need to shoot slides of my B+W prints so that I can enter contests, apply to commercial venues etc.? Is a copy stand the only answer? Or is there some way to do this digitally? I read the info. people wrote in about the reversal process but I'm embarrassed to say I am not that technical about this whole thing, and I just want to get this done the simplest way possible. Thanks for any help you can offer! gail

-- gail howard (gxh@baychef.com), August 04, 1999

Answers

I think most galleries would still prefer to look at slides. Taking good slides of prints can be challenging. Even illumination is required, preferably with light sources polarized to eliminate reflections. You might consider finding a pro photographer who already has a setup for making slides of her work and see what she would charge to shoot yours.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edbuffaloe@unblinkingeye.com), August 05, 1999.

A simple technique is to copy your B&W prints with a tripod outside in a shady area or by indirect light from a window. I've done this in the past to submit slides of prints. I recently shot a number of prints onto Photo CD's for web presentation using the light filtering through shades from a large window. They turned out fine with no reflections.

You may need a micro lens or an extension to get close enough, but a sturdy tripod should work. I have an old enlarger that doubles as copy stand which makes the job easier along with a 55mm micor nikkor. A gray card is also useful.

-- Gene Crumpler (nikonguy@worldnet.att.net), August 06, 1999.

With B&W work for competitions and for publication most organisations want 8x10 unmounted glossy prints. Slides or normally for colour work only. Good luck

-- Len Swann (len@swann.abel.co.uk), September 19, 1999.