2010 User Group Meeting is Set!!!!!

Every year, Photolynx offers clients and potential clients the opportunity to gather together to network and exchange ideas and tips about using the software, as well as learn new features.

Reserve the dates on your calendar NOW!

Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010   2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
You’ll have the evening free to enjoy Las Vegas

Friday, Jan. 22, 2010,       9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

New for 2010 – How’d You Do That? Short, concise information on how users have created short cuts, new products, time saving productions tips and other useful, money saving ideas.  If you have a “How’d You Do That?” you would like to share with the group, let me know.

Back for 2010 – The popular “Trigger Ideas” creative, brain storming sessions.

Please call or email me with questions, ideas and suggestions to help make the 2010 PhotoLynx Users’ Group Meeting better and more successful.

Paul Schulz, M.Photog.,Cr.
Vice Pres., Business Development & Sales
PhotoLynx, Inc.
Phone:  760-504-1941
Email:    Paul@PhotoLynx.com

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School Photographers Association of California’s(SPAC) annual meeting will start at approximately 5:00 PM on Friday, Jan. 22.

Go to www.spac-usa.org for complete information and registration for their event.

News Release…….Announcing….

News Release

For Additional Information Contact: For Immediate Release

Paul Schulz

760-504-1941

Paul@PhotoLynx.com

PhotoLynx, Inc. Appoints New General Manager

San Diego, CA – Sept. 22, 2009 - Tim McCain, Senior Vice President of PhotoLynx, Inc. announces the appointment of Tawnya Pitman to the position of General Manager.  Mrs. Pitman is replacing Michael Stevens, who has resigned to pursue an opportunity in professional photography.

Tawnya Pitman has been with PhotoLynx, Inc. for 6 years, involved in most aspects of the company including tech support, customer relations, order fulfillment, on-site training and sales.  McCain says, “Tawnya’s dedication to our clients and their needs, her friendly, helpful spirit and her many years experience with our products make her extremely qualified for the position of General Manager.”

Tawnya and her family – husband Matthew, 4 year old daughter Jazmine and 2 year old son Zayden – live in Julian, CA.  Besides spending time with her family, Tawnya enjoys playing basketball and working with stained glass.

Located in Santa Ysabel, CA., PhotoLynx, Inc. is a privately owned California corporation founded in 1988.  PhotoLynx, Inc. specializes in writing and supporting digital imaging software for the volume package photography market; school, sports and dances.

In addition to the professions’ leading digital imaging software, PhotoLynx, Inc. also works with individual companies to produce custom needed software.

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Goodbye My Friends……

Hi Everyone,

It’s been over four years since I started work at PhotoLynx.  I have enjoyed my tenure with PhotoLynx, but have decided to step down as General Manager and return back to my roots.  As many of you know, I helped operate a school picture company for most of my professional life, prior to becoming General Manager at PhotoLynx.

I have always considered every PhotoLynx client as a friend. I am going to miss working on a regular basis with my friends.  Over the last several years I have gained much insight and knowledge by working with such a great group of friends.  But, I know that I will still continue to see many of you at trade shows throughout the upcoming years.

I believe that PhotoLynx Software is the best there is for School and Sports volume photography.  As I move into my future, I will be still be connected to all of you as a PhotoLynx user.

Sincerely,

Michael Stevens

Wireless Shutter Release

Here is the latest toy I’ve played with.  This works really cool!

Before you are tempted by one without an antenna, think twice.  The antenna doubles as a hair placement tool.  It can move little hairs around that would normally stick to your fingers and it helps you keep your distance from your subjects.  Keep it in your hand and you won’t ever fumble for the shutter release on the camera and miss that perfect shot!

Remote Shutter Release

I found this one on Ebay for most of the newer Nikons.

PMA Offers Photo IT Forum

I thought this was an interesting email from PMA.  So far there isn’t much up yet.  But any community focused around the needs of photographers and IT should be supported.

Frustrated with Your IT?
Slow connections. Error messages. Blue screen of death. We know, it’s enough to make you pull out whatever hair you have left.

Dedicated to the unique IT needs of PMA members, the Photo IT Forum provides answers to basic and in-depth IT questions digital imaging companies have on a day-to-day basis.

Industry IT experts and PMA IT staff are moderating daily, to help you resolve issues, build efficiencies, and strengthen your business.

Topics include:

• In-House Networks (Servers, Storage, Redundancy, etc.)
• Online-Offsite Networks (Third-Party Solutions, Out-of-House Solutions, etc.)
• Creative Applications (Non-Print Products Services, Creative Photo Products, etc.)

It’s just one more way your PMA membership works for you!

Get Solutions from the Forum

Suggested CamLynx Tethered Shooter WorkFlow

Suggested CamLynx Tethered Shooter WorkFlow

Camera Settings:

• Auto Rotation MUST be turned off
• Sleep Mode MUST be turned off
• Recommend using A/C power – NOT batteries
• Adjust your files size and quality to the smallest image that will produce an acceptable print at the largest size you offer.  (A jpg that is approximately 1MB will provide an acceptable 10×13 or smaller print and will save transfer times on the computer.)  Disclaimer: TEST for your own standards.

Computer Settings:

• No Screen Savers
• No Power Saving Mode
• No Hibernation
• Power by A/C – Not batteries

Suggested CamLynx Settings:

Be sure that the top search field in CamLynx is selected as the field that has the barcode data (Usually Record Number or Student ID).

Always Have Selected:
Imaging->Save RAW Photos
Imaging->Backup RAW Photos
Data->Enable Sequence Numbering

To print ID cards or Proofs on site:
Print->Auto Print

To Enter Packages Automatically:
Data->Packages->Auto Package Entry

To Automatically Select the images, instead of manually clicking on them & pressing save (F7) to clear the Hot Folder:
Imaging->Enable Proofing Mode
With this set, when you scan, it will automatically save the images and go to the next record.

Screen Shoots for Preferences (FOR REFERENCE ONLY - You may have specific changes for your environment, but they should be close)

Click on image for a larger view.

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Before shoot:

• Import Data
• Create Barcoded Camera Cards
• Create templates for IDs and/or proofs
• Be sure to test all equipment that will be used at the shoot, including barcode scanners, printers, and cameras AS IF THIS WAS A REAL SHOOT.

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Set up at shoot:

• Connect Barcode Scanner
• Connect Camera
  • Start Camera’s Software Interface (Nikon Capture, Cannon DSLR Remote, Fuji Hyper Utility, Olympus Studio etc).
  • Test to make sure the camera is connected and working
  • Calibrate Camera for White Balance and Exposure
• Connect Printer if necessary
  • Test printer
• Start CamLynx
• DO A COMPLETE TEST RUN EACH MORNING TO MAKE SURE THEY ALL WORK TOGETHER.

Photographing:

• Distribute Barcode to Student
• Student to Approach Camera with Barcode In Hand
• Press F3 in CamLynx to focus on Search Field in CamLynx
• Photographer to Scan Barcode Card
• If Auto-Package Entry is Selected the package entry menu will appear
  • Enter in package(s) Press OK
• Take Image(s) of student
  • If Proofing Mode is Enabled: Repeat
  • If Proofing Mode is not Enabled, Select your images while holding the ctrl key, choose F7 to save them, then repeat

At the end of the job, always be sure to export.  Goto Export->Export for ImageMatch.

Wireless tether for under $50.00

Here is a DYI Wireless tethering solution for less than $50.00. It should work well for any camera that offers a wired tethered solution, including Canon, Nikon, and Sony.  The author states it doesn’t work for Olympus.

I’ll turn it over to Pete to ramble on about it…

Another set of Awkward Pictures

Yeah, I know, this is my third link to Awkward Photo Sites.  This one isn’t even that great… but, I put it here as it is specifically centered around High School Portraits.  Maybe use it as a ‘What Not To Do” when training new photographers…

http://www.guidespot.com/guides/awesome_portaits_glamour_shots

64 Bit solution for ImageMatch, ProServices, RipLynx, & Procomposites

Please do not use this update for CamLynx, PDI, or SIS.

This update is for ImageMatch, ProServices, RipLynx, and Procomposites.  This update will work on a 32 bit or 64 bit Windows.

Since we are already in the school season, please update a test machine first, before applying the update to all of your computers. Check to make sure that this update does not effect your workflow.

If everything is currently working well as-is, there is no need to update.  This update does fix some minor green screen issues.  It is also the first update that will work with 64 bit Windows.

For first time install, request a demo from the PhotoLynx website, or call 760-782-9000 and request a link.

If already installed, update to this:
http://www.photolynx.com/downloads/updates_hotfixes/pl.hotfix.2009-08-17.3780.offline.exe

The Inexpensive $33.99 Barcode Scanners Are Back!!!!

From Geeks.com:

Barcode Scanner

As you requested, I’m writing to let you know that our Product ID BCSCANNER-USB, a USB Handheld CCD Barcode Scanner, which was previously out of stock, is now available!

If you’re still interested in this product, please visit http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=BCSCANNER-USB and click the green “Buy it Now!” button to place the product in your shopping cart.

Supplies are limited– I urge you to order quickly so you don’t miss out!