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The Digital Education Center by Rami Manhas
One Studio Owner's Solutionto the Information Gap

Every professional photography trade magazine you pick up has at least one article about digital imaging. Some photographers read them with interest, others with apprehension. How and when does one decide to make the move from providing only traditional photographic services to include digital imaging? Here's when: When they want to improve quality, increase creativity, and expand their profits, and when they feel the risk of not having digital capabilities outweighs the fear of making the change. Sometimes those that have made the leap into the digital world wish they hadn't. These are usually folks that have not received enough information/education to make informed decisions about what to buy or how to use their hardware/software to best advantage.

Such was the dilemma for Rami Manhas several years ago. Rami owned a mom/pop portrait studio in a small Nebraska town and saw a need for expansion to become a full-service photographic studio and lab. At the PMA convention in Atlanta he caught the "digital imaging bug" while watching demonstrations of the equipment. At the time he couldn't justify the cost. But he continued to research the possibilities and as the equipment became more affordable, he jumped into the "digital revolution" with both feet. It boosted the traditional services and created a new profit center at his studio.

A sample of Rami Manhas’ promotional materials for the Digital Imaging Education Center, a digital imaging school born of necessity.

However, he also found that a large learning curve came along with the technology. He was extremely frustrated because after investing in top-of-the-line equipment, the only training received on the equipment was during the initial hook-up and was very basic. While technicians are very knowledgeable, their job does not allow them the time to train on software. Such training is necessary in order for the buyer to know how to use the equipment to its best advantage. Rami suffered many days of grief because his lack of knowledge resulted in images that were not up to his studio's standards. In an attempt to make things work right, he made unnecessary expenditures towards additional equipment. Sometimes he wondered if the decision to enter the digital world was the right move. After many months of trial and error (and some training from the graphic arts) Rami and his staff have acquired the knowledge and expertise necessary to make the digital imaging portion of his studio operation successful. He now truly believes that including digital services at his studio was a smart move and has proved to be a profitable decision.

Ever since he became involved in photography, Rami has shared his experiences/knowledge with other professional photographers. Because he entered the digital revolution sooner than most of his colleagues, he has been able to help others thinking about "going digital" avoid the problems and frustrations he encountered. When just talking to other professionals did not seem enough, he started offering one-day, "get acquainted with digital imaging" seminars at his studio. These sessions resulted in requests for additional training that was longer and more in-depth. The outcome of those requests was the birth of the Digital Imaging Education Center.

The Digital Imaging Education Center is separate from Rami's studio operation. It operates year-round with classes held each month. The three instructors have a combined total of over 35 years of professional photographic experience and 16 years Photoshop experience. In the classroom, a video projection system allows everyone to see what the instructor is doing on the computer screen. Each student has his/her own individual computer/workstation which allows a "hands-on" experience from beginning to end. Students also have access to state-of-the-art input/output devices.

Students at the Digital Imaging Education Center learn from instructors and each other in an informal, professional environment, using top notch computer equipment.

The course is four days of intensive training that covers a broad spectrum of skill and knowledge. The training agenda includes information about equipment, software, and how to put it all together to enhance the photographer's work. Rami believes that one advantage of his training center is that because there is no underlying goal to sell anything, he can be completely open and honest about the equipment. Students also learn how to optimize image files for resolution, color and tonal corrections.

The Digital Imaging Education Center teaches traditional and digital photographers how to take control of their images from the beginning to the final print. Software used includes several special effects programs with the emphasis being on Adobe Photoshop. Students learn methods for retouching scanned photos with darkroom-style tools, adding special effects, working with text layers, and more. In addition to information about enhancing their own work, students learn how to expand their business by offering "in-house" restoration and copy work of old photographs-and to do so in much less time than using traditional methods. They can also witness how digital imaging actually works in combination with traditional photography in a real studio setting.

Students work on Macintosh G3 work stations and the class has access to a Leaf 45 film scanner, Umax flat bed scanner, Lasergraphics film recorder, Fuji Pictro 3000 laser printer and a CD writer for storage and take-home files.
Class sizes are kept small so that each student can receive the one-on-one attention they deserve. Classes are designed to allow students to learn at their own pace and explore their own areas of interest. The group aspect of the training allows students to not only learn from the instructors, but from each other. The course is of benefit to all students-from novices with little or no knowledge and considering incorporating digital imaging into their studios, to those who have mastered the basics and desire to expand their knowledge.

Students are encouraged to bring their own images, ideas and projects in order to make the instruction immediately useful to them. Images and projects are also available from the instructor. This is a "hands-on" course because "doing it" gives the student confidence as well as the skill. Research has shown that the hands-on training format results in remembering more of what is learned.

Digital photo retouching and enhancement give the photographer a link between traditional photography and the best that computers and technology have to offer. Technology is moving at a speed that is mind-boggling. Professional photographers must embrace technology or be left behind and probably end up out of business. Many photographers who are looking at it are somewhat afraid as they don't know if they can learn this "new" way of doing things. The Digital Imaging Education Center is a right step to getting there-this unmatched training can help alleviate their fears and help them understand it. Instructors talk to the students in plain English, not over their heads. When not providing instruction, they actually work in a studio so they know the day-to-day issues of the students. Their goal is to help photographers make this amazing technology part of their everyday business. At the end of the course, students are able to start making money immediately with the knowledge they have gained. As they continue to master the technology, they will earn more and more money.

The Digital Imaging Education Center is located in mid-America and is two hours flying time from either coast. The friendly small town atmosphere helps enhance the learning experience. Information: (888) 417-7264 or (402) 643-2934; fax (402) 643-4157. Their address is 430 Seward Street, Seward, NE 68434. You can also reach them via e-mail at ramiphoto@navix.net.

Rami Manhas is the owner of Digital Imaging Education Center and Rami's Photography and Framing in Seward, Nebraska. He is a PP of A certified photographer and is on the Board of Directors of the Professional Photographers of Nebraska. Rami has been in the professional photographic field for 30 years.