Photography Status:
Now that significant site design work and content creation
has been completed, we have a clearer view of the total number of photographs
needed. The first round of submissions (many
thanks to all who contributed!) yielded approximately half of the
total photography needed, so we are extending another opportunity for members
to submit photographs for the web site.
The following gives some background information and guidelines on what
and how to submit.
Background Information on Photography Submissions:
1)
We
recently had a question about whether photographs could be "stolen" from the
web site. We've been able to determine
that although some obvious methods of capturing copies of photographs can be
disabled, it is technically impossible to protect digital images from a
determined thief. Additionally, we
do not plan to watermark the photographs used since this dilutes the impact of
the images. Because of these issues, we
will respect anyone's decision not to submit photography.
2)
If your
work is chosen for display on the web site, you will be responsible for
obtaining the appropriate releases on behalf of APLD. We will need releases from the designer, the
photographer, the installing contractor, and, if the site is identifiable, the
property owner. We will contact you
directly if your photography is selected, and will provide you with the forms.
3)
The
mock-up above shows the approximate proportions & orientation of the
needed images, as well as the overall color scheme for the web site. In some cases, shots will be selected for
their panoramic value, as in the sample, but in other cases we will composite
together two or more photographs to create a montage of the same dimensions as
the panoramas.
4)
Although
it's necessary to keep image sizes small on the web, for quicker transmission
times, it's also better if we begin the process with high-resolution
photographs. Most of the images
already chosen are being cropped down from a larger image. Some previously submitted images that would
otherwise have been suitable did not have sufficient pixel density to be
cropped.
5)
We are
selecting images based on several criteria, including:
a.
Is the
image eye-catching and appealing?
b.
Does the
image display professional landscape design to advantage?
c.
Does the
image blend well with the overall design & color scheme for the web site?
Photography Submission Guidelines:
1)
Please submit items only if you are
comfortable with the conditions described above.
2)
Please submit items as soon as you possibly
can. The deadline is July 20, but
the selection process takes significant time, so do your web team a
favor...send things immediately!
3)
Generally, the best results are had from high-resolution
digital originals. Photos scanned
from film or prints typically have a slightly muddy quality that is difficult
if not impossible to correct.
4)
Please make sure the photos you submit are sharp,
well-focused images. Sometimes blur
can be added for a specific effect, but it's impossible to go the other way.
5)
Good photographs typically have a foreground,
middle ground and background.
Closer-up shots usually have more impact than long-distance ones.
6)
Keep the color scheme in mind. Certain
colors, such as vivid reds or magentas,
don't really blend well with the soft olives and browns in our overall web site
color scheme.
7)
Consider the photos you submit as potential
advertising for your design business.
If you wouldn't put the shot on a brochure or your own web site, chances
are we won't select it either.
8)
For now, we are continuing to limit photo
submissions to 5 per individual.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to submit photographs this time, even
if you submitted items before.
9)
Please email your images to Sharon Gibson at
sbgi@att.net.
If the images are of extremely high resolution, they may be too large to
email. In this case, contact Sharon for a
mailing address to send a CD.
10) If you
experience email bounce-back, wait a few hours or overnight, and try
again. If it's still not working, please
call Sharon at
(925) 939-5042.
Many thanks in advance to all our members for
their help in making our new web site something to be proud of! The Redesign Team looks forward to receiving
your new photography submissions.
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