SO,
THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE!
(It's All Your Own)
By Bill Reid (CRC Editor, Area 20)
The CRC News is very much
taken for granted. It has always been quite an effort even when
using the old wax stencil and duplicator, but at least then the bulk
of the material was simply typing onto the stencil and running it
through the duplicator.
With
the computer the text side of things became much simpler, though,
being a `two-finger` typist it still takes time to type out the
pages. A few members have made this task a lot easier by sending in
their copy on a computer disc and I simply have to load it into my
Word processor and concentrate on the layout and/or any graphics
that may be used.
The
basics as reasonably straight forward... you need a computer, of
course, and I have an Atari 520 STE up-rated to 4 Meg of memory
which allows the use of quite powerful W.P & DTP programmes.
While a single (built-in) floppy disc drive is useable, to make
things easier I also have an external floppy drive. The standard
3.5" floppies hold 720K of memory, on each disc. However to
increase storage space I replaced the standard drive with a 1.44Meg
High Density one and to to really speed things up I also have a
140Meg Hard Drive which not only runs twice as fast as floppy
drives, but holds all my Word processing, Desktop Publishing and art
programmes that I require. It also allows me to store virtually
hundreds of files which are available in an instant.
PC
& IBM type computers beat the Atari for speed but there is
little my computer can`t do that the PC\IBM`s can, only, you require
a little more patience. One of the advantages of fitting the High
Density drive is that this fomats my floppies to PC/IBM standards,
and while it wont let me run PC/IBM programmes, it does mean that I
can share floppies with these owners and use their text files
providing they are saved in ASCII mode. ASCII (As-Key) simply saves
the text string, without the W.P. or DTP page layout codes. I can
then load the ASCII files into my W.P./DTP, saving me having to
re-type from a printed copy. Graphics too can be exchanged as long
as they are also in my computer`s graphic mode, but even if not, I
have a handy little programme that will convert a number of PC/IBM
types to the Atari`s.
Of
course, once you have any copy completed you then require a
`hard-copy` which is where my Dot-Matrix printer came into use. A
Computer without a printer is as much good as a pen without ink!
However, since starting this article we now have an excellent Laser
printer which not only prints faster but gives superb print quality.
Once
the pages of CRCN copy have been printed out, the next step is to
post them off to our printers, or I should really say, photocopiers,
as this is how the final CRCN is produced by Kevin & Sandra
Craske, before being posted to your Co-ordinator who then
distributes them to you.
If
all we required was the written word then a simple Word processing
programme would suffice, but we all like a little bit of
presentation (Bells & whistles). A few various Fonts, and a some
graphics helps to make the page more interesting and pleasing to the
eye. My word processor has ten Fonts, plus bold, italics and super
& subscript, with a few `symbols`. But when it comes to adding
graphics the Desktop Publishing programme comes into it`s own. It
allows text and graphics to be placed inside their own
"boxes" which can be re-sized to fit the page you are
working on. Text boxes can be arranged to make any number of columns
you wish and the text made up of various types of font styles. Along
with these you have another `box` where you can set up Boxes, of
Squares, Oblongs, Stars etc, and each may have a selection of
`fills`, be it shapes or degrees of grey scale. All together these
make the page look like a professional newspaper or magazine. To
produce the CRCN as it is today, previously would have
taken over a dozen
qualified people and been very expensive. We now produce a very
presentable 16 page newsletter for a little over £40 per quarter.
For a time I was restricted to using graphic images from the Public
Domain libraries. These can be very good or simply terrible, and you can`t always get the correct graphic to
suit the mood, and as most come from America they don`t naturally
suite the British style. I took a bit of flack for using a Computer
graphic over a number of issues. It was a very good graphic of my
actual Atari computer, but it also related to my work as Editor. I
wanted members to know that they could send their copy on disc,
which saves me a lot of typing and omits any errors from my
re-typing as the text is exactly as the members have typed it
themselves. However, I had to agree that it could be confusing using
a graphic of a computer on the front page of what is a `Film` Club!,
so I searched around for something different, but as mentioned,
there wasn`t much actually portraying our hobby, so eventually
decided to use my drawing of the projector screen and simply use it
to highlight whatever issue, of that issue. It is also used for our
Cobbler`s Page heading.
Another thing a computer is good at is Art programmes, even the most
basic can turn out quite good work. I inherited a nice programme
with my Computer and apart from messing about with it a little,
hadn`t taken it very seriously. After a while it came to me that if
I could draw reasonably acceptable graphics of things such as
Projectors, Screens,
Film cuttings etc, they could be useful. So I had a go and found that I
could bring it off... however, I came unstuck because the art
programme works in colour and my DTP in mono (B&W) images, and
wont accept colour files. Luckily I came across a handy little
programme from a computer magazine Cover disk that converts colour
files to mono and on trial found this worked perfectly.
Using this facility, when I received the two competition `logo` drawings
which would have had to be reduced or enlarged by photocopying, then
cut & pasted to the CRCN pages, I had a go at drawing them into
the art programme and found it came off quite well. After converting
them to mono files and loading them into the DTP, that too worked a
treat and could be reduced and arranged around the text. I also
found that I could convert image files from other members` computer
art files. e.g. The CRC logo as used on page 16 was hand-scanned
from our originals by Dave Morrell up in Middlesbrough and sent to
me on disc. I then converted them to my DTP`s type, and used as
described above. However, the CRC Heading on page one, is slightly
different in that I actually made the text up using the DTP`s fonts
and made up the lines and boxes from the graphic modes. The CRC Icon
proved difficult, which is why I got Dave to try scanning it, and as
you now see, it works very well. You may ask what does it matter!!
Well it means that the whole of page one is now made up in the
computer and I no longer have to cut & paste when forming this
page. The page formation remains as a template and I only need add
the new text and graphics, and change the issue number and date.
This leaves me free to concentrate on the actual new page format.
A computer Hand-scanner which, as the name suggests, scans an image and
converts it into a digital signal which the computer and printer
recognises. Quality varies greatly as getting the grey-scale correct
is difficult according to the type and quality of the photograph.
Likewise the image transferred to the Newsletter suffers because the
photocopier only sees light & dark and can`t handle the grey
scales that well. Most of you will have seen the very `blocky`
results from directly photocopied prints. There are means of
correcting this, both electronically, and by the use of gelatine
filters made up of various sized dots that break the picture down to
`grey` scales. These are/were widely used by newspapers. A Scottish
member, Alex Philips did some experimenting with these, for us, when
we first changed to the new format newsletter, but at the time the
cost was very prohibitive and I was unable to continue with his kind
offer.
However, as you have seen with the latest Newsletters we continue to try
and improve it`s presentation and from talks with Kevin it is hoped
that the digital image may allow us to progress onto producing
reasonable quality, and economical B&W prints, in due course.
There are also computer programmes which allows you to `tweek` the
digital picture so that you have the best possible contrast and
brightness before you decide to print. I now have one of these and
will be experimenting to see what can be done with it. It`s main
purpose is to convert colour picture files to B&W files and
should suite our purpose just as well.
While all this technology is very worthy none of it is much good if
there is a lack of copy to pass on to you. We are at the moment
discussing the problems of `lethargy` and what we can do to increase
overall activity, however as we know there are has been an on going
lack of copy, with many newsletters only coming together at the last
moment, with all fingers, and toes crossed. Thanks to your excellent
response to my last request the last couple of Newsletters have been
a lot easier, but these have now been used up and I would appreciate
you possibly sending in some more copy.
As our Hon. Chairman, Pete Guy has mentioned, C.R.C. Officials are only
volunteers and most have full time work to contend with also and
while they put a lot of time into giving the best possible service,
the Club does rely on members offering assistance in some small way,
be it simply sending in a piece of copy for the Newsletter or
offering to take on an official position, it all helps to make the
work load easier and the Newsletter more varied and interesting.
While it takes time to produce a page of text and graphics, there is
much atisfaction when the work is complimented by a well written and
nteresting article.
The same applies to Kevin Craske who gives an excellent service in
making up and posting member`s orders for chemicals & film. Just
this service alone represents the worthiness and savings gained from
the £5 subscription.
When the Club began it`s motto was "Subscriptions cost less than
the price of of a film" and this still stands true today! Where
can you buy a cassette of 36 exp. slide film
for a fiver? Many
Club`s and Societies charge double or even treble our annual
charges. WE can be proud that after going through two long
recessions and a very damaging period when Area 5 broke away from
the National Club (we lost 50% of the membership) it remains
successful.
After the break-away, there was only two `officials` left to run the
Club, Brian Savage, who took on as Secretary, and myself, who took
on as Editor, with the previous Treasurer Joe Grant staying on until
Colin Powell took over from him. We also got the backing of three
people who remained as committee members. Recently Sandra Craske has
taken over from Colin and adds looking after the Club`s financial
state, along with her work on finalizing the printed Newsletter. We
must`nt forget the support that remained with the Club`s Area Co-ordinators
(Leaders), without them the job would have been much more difficult,
if not impossible.
But, most of all, we appreciate all the members who stayed with us
through this very difficult time, many who have been with the Club
since it`s inception as the CR50 Club. Over the years they have
perfected home process-ing to a fine art, not only fighting the
changes of many types of film and processing formulae, but inventing
and building numerous home-built gadgets for others to copy and use
in the search for perfection and which the Club has built up to
quite an extensive library for future reference.
Its a fine record.
Naturally, the changes continue, with the evolution of the electronic
and digital image being a new threat. However having struggled and
won through the numerous changes it has to be remembered that in
spite of the creeping use of electronics, the original image is
still on film-emulsion which definition and resolution is still
unbeatable, assuring that film will continue to be produced (and
perfected) for a long time yet.
My bet, at this time, is that the greatest threat to Clubs like C.R.C.
is the `isolationism` of TV/Video and Computers, that cuts people
off from the rest of the world. Young people don`t have the same
`community` spirit. e.g. Cinema & Theatre enjoyment, as a
society. Have you been to the cinema lately! its like a free for
all, you pays your money, watch 20-30 minutes of adverts, view `one`
film, in a noisy, chewing, chatting auditorium and then go home! The
last cinema I visited
had a screen no bigger than a large TV set and the sound level so
high you couldn`t concentrate on the film.
Quantity rather than quality appears to be the name of he
game.
Such a society isn`t
interested in building and doing things themselves! As long as it
runs on batteries, plugs into the mains or attaches to the main
medium, thats as far as personal involvement goes.
As long as modern photographers stick to negative film and foolproof
all-electronic cameras, they don`t need to understand too much about
focusing and F settings. Most of it is taken care of, and
compensated for, both in the camera and by the local developing
& printing shop.
So where does this leave C.R.C. members? Well, exactly where they have
always been!. You simply carry on doing your own thing. Concentrate
on getting the best possible aperture (manually, of course), keep
buying roll film from the Club and making-up your own 36exp.
cassettes. Keep buying the Club`s chemicals or commercial processing
kits (if you prefer) and process your own films. Most of you have
your own home-built processing set-up, such as water tempering baths
and electronic thermometers. Some of you have
even built your own pH meter
system.
There are still many things you can tackle to get satisfaction from your
photography and home processing. Look up the Club Library for ideas
and suggestions. Don`t forget the Annual A.G.M. & Open Meeting
where you can really show others that the work is all Your Own. But
finally, put a few paragraphs together explaining your news &
views... after all, this is also part of your own home-built
productions. Why not join in and share your experiences with
everyone! That way the world can change around you all it likes, but
each individual`s contribution will assure the Club of a successful
and lasting future.
And talking about the `future`! We must`nt become too complacent, the
digital image is progressing at a tremendous rate, Digital cameras
are coming on line, with prices appx.the same as a Canon. Software
is being updated continually and producers are determined to produce
colour printers, and paper, that will pull the best possible quality
from the digital record.
Users still need to spend a lot both on equipment and software to gain
results anything near to film quality and it will be a while yet
before digital will take over from film, but one day before long, it
certainly will. However the biggest mistake we can make is ignoring
it. As with the humble L.P. CD has pushed them virtually out of the
market and many people will be rushing to get their massive record
collections onto audio cassettes, so too will print and transparency
users wish to get their prized work onto `video` format
.... and yet
even as they do, the market is pushing on to digital TV & Video,
that makes both the A.M. and VHF wave bands obsolete and giving
listeners CD quality sound, virtually without the need for an arial.
I have just read about a new small `card` for lap-top
computers, that can save in "Giga" amounts of
memory .... once we get into that stage, how long will it be before
our CD & Video machines will also be made obsolete, by solid
state digital saving media!!
Whatever, let me conclude by asking a question which has been bugging me
for ages and which I hope some one may be able to answer! As the
"Digital Image" is produced to be shown on a TV monitor,
and the quality is dependent on how many lines (Resolution) the
picture is made up on ... How come you don`t see any `lines` when
digital images are trans ferred to film? Just how do they get the
`saved` image onto film?