Attention CCS Customers!
We are phasing out older versions of our FTP software!
by Steve Foisy
To expedite the processing
of your images for online display
and printing we are phasing
out older versions of our FTP
and Transfer software. The
most current version of the
Transfer software has been
designed to minimize issues
with image processing at the
lab which reduces the amount
of human intervention required.
On Monday, May 5, the only
versions that will be able
to transmit images to CCS will
be the versions indicated below. Please
upgrade to the most up-to-date
software prior to that date. Contact
Customer Support at 800-750-0494
for assistance and training. Click
this link to download CCS Transfer
Software.
Candid Color Systems FTP Client
- Version 3.0.44 (or higher) This
version will be completely
phased out on July 31, 2008. Click to enlarge.
CCS
Transfer Software Version 1.2.12 This
is the recommended version.
We have a NEW Level Two section on CandidNet. Get samples,
tips and more!
We have created a NEW section, available today, designated
to Level Two on CandidNet. You can access samples and
more via the L2 link on the CandidNet homepage. Here
is what you will find in the new L2 section.
Digital files available
We have set-up 2 sample pages for digital L2 images.
One is grouped by Level Two design name. The other
is grouped by sport or activity. All of the sample
images are model-released and available for CCS customers
to use. Simply find the image you need and right-click
to copy & paste to your computer. The size of
these digital files would be good for online samples,
your website, email or maybe even a small brochure.
If you need larger digital files, they will be available
for download in our sample ordering section.
Sample ordering
In the new L2 section on CandidNet you will find a
link to order print L2 samples online.
These Level Two samples are currently grouped by sport
or activity. The name of each L2 design can be seen
as the “frame” name. These images are available
for ordering in 8x10 and 16x20 sizes with several mounting
options. All samples will be printed on Metallic paper.
These samples are also available as a high res image
download. We are working to post sample images for
orders grouped by L2 design name and in other sizes.
Sample HTML
The best way to sell L2 products is to show samples.
We have provided html links to sample images for
a large array of L2 designs and sports/activities.
The html can be pasted in the product description
space in QP2. To learn more about this process you
can see the article “how to display sample
images in retail packages in QP2” document
on CandidNet. This article is found under Software
Training>QP2>Sample Products. CORE users can
use the file upload feature in CORE to display samples
on their retail site.
Level 2 Logos, Description and General Information
CCS is providing our official Level Two logos for your
use. Please help us by using the official L2 stencil
font, square L2 design or L2 wing design on your
materials when possible. The homepage of our Level
Two site also contains a description of L2 products
and other general L2 information that should be helpful!
Please contact CCS if we can provide any help in offering
or marketing Level Two products.
Enhancing Your Website Using Upsells by Jessica
Irvin
Having a clean and sleek ordering website is important when your customers are
ordering online. Lengthy pages filled with numerous packages can be overwhelming
and may discourage your customers from scrolling through the entire page and
ordering more products. One way to clean up your website is to take advantage
of offering Up-sells. This option is available in CORE and our newest software,
QuicPost. Our Candid Color Systems Default Offer has several different Up-sells
built into it. Up-sells not only encourage your customers to upgrade their package,
but it also gives you a chance to reduce the number of offers on your page, making
your website more attractive.
The products that you can offer as an Up-sell are limitless, but some of the
easiest to market to your customers are Premium Pearlized Paper, Quick Retouching,
and Mounting. Creating an Up-sell that is attractive and catches your customer’s
attention is important. Use energetic descriptions of the products and include
an image or animation of the product you are selling. Several Animated GIFS are
available on Candidnet for you to use on your website and can be found under
Marketing/ Product Demos.
You can reduce the number of packages on your website by eliminating a “Deluxe
Package” and offering it as an Up-sell. For example, instead of “Package
A” in Lustre and Pearlized you can take away the Pearlized option on the
main ordering screen and offer it as an Up-sell. When offering an Up-sell you
have the opportunity to market your product by explaining the benefits and illustrating
what they will be getting for upgrading.
Creating Up-sells gives you a competitive advantage and can create extra sales
with no extra work. If 500 people are shot and 125 order online about 7.5% will
take the Up-sell. So, if the average Up-sell is $15 then that is an extra $135!
This means if 5,000 are shot then you have the potential of adding $1,350 through
Up-sells.
Finding the balance between offering all the latest products and keeping a clean
website is difficult, but incorporating Up-sells can help with this. Up-sells
also force your customers to consider an upgrade they might have otherwise passed
over if left on the main ordering screen. Lists of packages can be tedious for
your customers to read and scroll through, and Up-sells are direct advertisements
to the customer to purchase an extra product or service. For help setting up
an Up-sell you can contact Technical Support at 800-750-0494 option 2. Contact
your Customer Development Representative at 800-336-4550 with any questions about
what products and options to add to your website.
Give us a sample image and we will give you a $50 lab credit!
Would you like a $50 credit added to your account? Well you can, and
it’s easy! Just submit your images to be used for samples! All
images must be high resolution, must be deemed usable, by CCS, for samples,
and be accompanied with a model release. For each image that we can use
for our samples you will be awarded $50 to your account! This is your
opportunity to share your work, and show off your beautiful photographs!
We are looking for Team & Individual, and action for every sport.
We are especially in need of team photographs!
To submit your images please e-mail them to your Customer Development representative
or you can e-mail them to Darissa
Bishop. Please
fax the model
release (PDF) to (405) 951-7343.
Techniques for using a single flash unit by Darwin
Drake
In most photographic situations in special event photography
a single flash unit mounted on the camera is the simplest,
and may be the only approach available. The on-camera
flash has several shortcomings: it produces a flat
shadow less illumination on the subject; and it tends
to produce bounce back reflections called hot spots
from shiny walls, glass and other objects where you
may be working. It may also produce unsightly shadows
just behind the subject, and the undesirable effect
called red-eye.
Consider some of the techniques for using a single
flash unit to provide the main, fill or accent lighting
we regard as desirable.
Red-eye is caused by the flash entering the subject’s
pupils and reflecting off the retinas, causing a luminous
red glow in the eyes. This is caused by placing the
flash unit too close to the lens, as when the flash
is mounted on top of the camera, or when a built-in
flash is used. To avoid red-eye, move the flash farther
from the lens by using a bracket or an extender that
moves it at least 5 inches from it. Another solution
is to have the subjects look slightly away from the
camera.
A subject too close to a background will produce distracting
shadows. Separate your subjects from the background.
To place the flash unit in a more desirable position,
use an extension to elevate the flash above the lens
projecting the shadow directly behind the subject.
Bright sunlight from the side or behind produces excessive
brightness to shadow ratio, obscuring details in shadow
areas. Fill flash opens up shadow areas and keeps brightness
ratios within balance. Quick reference; fill flash
with automatic exposure should be set one stop less
than a normal exposure. Example: If your light meter
says F8 set your auto fill flash to F 5.6. Although
these fill flash techniques are most commonly used
to fill shadows when shooting in bright sunlight, they
may be used in other available light situations to
prove a more desirable balance between highlights and
shadows.
Lab Service Times for the week of 4/12/2008
- 4/19/2008
by Bo Lewis
Problems
with, or suggestions about The Developments Newsletter? Email us
to see if we can help.
