Why is Digital Photography so expensive
If a photographer shoots a four hour event it can easily produce anywhere from 1000 to 3500 photos. A preliminary processing procedure is required prior to uploading the files for viewing and can take anywhere from 2-5 minutes per image. Once the client has selected the photos they want, there is a final processing procedure and artwork if necessary and agreed upon. Depending on the details of the editing this can take up to an hour for each image.
There are photographers who will shoot an event and give the images on a DVD to their client. The pictures will be in a "raw" camera format and will be specific to whatever camera the photographer is using. Most clients don't have the software or the knowledge to open the "raw" images and process them properly.
A professional photographer will not shoot an event in anything but RAW format, they will not shoot in jpg format. "Raw" format requires larger storage cards in the camera and much larger hard drives. The non-professional will not spend the additional money required to continuously upgrade their computer's storage and therefore will shoot in jpg format to save space. The professional...well it's just not an issue. He is used to spending the extra money to constantly provide the best product. Additionally, although a jpg can be edited in Photoshop, there is not the control you will get in a "raw" image. As a result, when the client takes them to a local lab to be printed, they will not see the quality of the image they were shown when they were sold the job. We will also provide you with a DVD of all the images, and each photograph will have been enhanced to the highest quality possible so that you the client will be pleased with the superiority of the work!
Remember that four hour job? The photographer now has another 40-80 hours of work preparing the best quality photographs for you the client.
