Jay Kinghorn, RGB Imaging, guests blogs.

Editor’s note: today’s post is from guest blogger Jay Kinghorn, RGB Imaging. Kinghorn will present a two-hour seminar at PIEA 2010 on specific ways to make workflow run smoother.

For almost 200 years, photographers have produced great images by blending a keen eye, creativity and technology. As much as we’d like to believe that great photography lies in the hands of the artist, we must acknowledge that the success of a photo also relies on that artists’ ability to be a technician, with deep knowledge of their camera and lenses and the workings of their digital darkroom. After all, a great image is only great if it’s output in a format (on a screen or in print) that displays its true beauty.

In judging the 2010 Photo Imaging Education Association’s student photo contest just a month ago, I marveled at the entries, obviously produced with creativity, vision and technical sophistication. When vision is paired with technique and technology the alchemy of these three ingredients produces compelling results.

Today’s cameras and computer programs, and new mediums in which to display our work, provide us with extraordinary opportunities to tell stories visually. Consequently, building an efficient, effective and safe digital workflow is a challenge. However, it is a manageable one if you find accurate, up-to-date information on photography workflow.

ASMP’s dpBestflow project, funded by the US Library of Congress, is a key resource you can use to answer your digital workflow questions. The culmination of three years of research and development, the dpBestflow project is a comprehensive look at what works in a digital photography workflow.

On Feb 22, as part of the PIEA/PMA conference, I’ll be presenting a two-hour seminar on dpBestflow recommendations and provide specific advice on ways you can make your workflow run smoother, help you find your favorite photos within a large image library and ensure your photos are safely stored for future access.

Taking the time to optimize your workflow today allows you to focus more time on your photography, not technology.

OK, shutterbugs, ready to go on a photo safari?

Before the PMA 09 trade show opens, join PIEA members and fellow photo enthusiasts on a journey to Zion National Park for an all-day photo shoot. From massive canyons to an amazing array of plants and animals, you’ll find plenty to photograph as you hike along the Virgin River.

The PIEA Photo Safari is scheduled for Monday, March 2 at 6:00 a.m. (buses depart from the Sahara Hotel and Casino).