A photojournalists competitive advantage is a mixture of a series of variables.  A great camera system, in my case Canon 5D MKII bodies with L series lenses, and software that creates a seamless workflow from the time the images are shot to when they are transmitted.  ACDSee combined with my cameras gives me this advantage on the field, when the quality of the workflow determines the effectiveness of the overall assignment.  In some extreme cases, the actual difference can be measured in comparison to some of the other photographers working the same assignment.  This is exactly what happened when I was asked to photograph Deval Patrick on the day he ran for Governor of Massachusetts.

Because the results of the election were not expected to be announced until 9pm, and knowing how much media interest there would be in this election I decided to use an ultra portable computer, instead of the traditional sized laptop, so I would be able to transmit from the media pit while the Governor was still delivering his victory speech. My expectations were well founded when I walked into the conference center to find over 40 still photographers on the scene. Including five Associated Press photographers. Before going to the event I had set up my batch caption template to provide all the necessary information in the various fields I would be required to fill in every photo I would transmit. I had also used the thumbnail resizing slider to adjust the size of the thumbnails to maximize the devices small screen.

As the evening started I could see that things were going to be hectic. I barely had room to maneuver as the media pit in front of the podium was filled to capacity. But that also meant that the other photographers would have to move through this quagmire before they could access their laptops and transmit their material. Once Gov. Patrick had come out, acknowledged the large crowd I already had a shot I felt was exemplary of the event. I took a few more, but within 4 minutes of the Governor appearing on the stage I was already processing in the very spot I had taken the photos. Using a USB CF card reader attached to the UX180P I was able to quickly browse the photos. As I browsed the photos I would move the photos I wanted to transmit into the image bucket. Once I went through the entire contents of the card I moved the contents of the image basket to the desktop. Keep in mind that because I had two cameras, if I needed to shoot anything, it was as easy as sliding the UX180P into a holster attached to my belt.

I then opened the folder on the desktop with ACDSee, (at this time I removed the card reader and placed the CF card back into the camera) and used the batch captions to insert the required information. With one click of the template everything was already in place and required no further information being entered by me. At this point it was a simple matter of cropping adjusting the contrast/brightness and resizing. Within 5 minutes of the Governor taking the stage I had transmitted my first photo. I continued to shoot, and I repeated the same process approximately 20 minutes later. This time I would send approximately 5 more photos. As the Governors speech came to an end I started seeing the other photographers heading back to their laptops to begin the selecting/processing stage. I was completely done! The Associated Press photo editor stops me and asks me where I was going, I responded that I was done. He was skeptical until he saw my photos already transmitted on his wire, before any of his photographers had had a chance to transmit.

Speeds up workflow
Every photojournalist understands that selection/processing aspect of their workflow is a tedious affair that requires a considerable amount of time. We also understand the importance of a quick delivery of material. Today’s competitive market is defined not only in the quality of your photos, but also in how quickly you are able to deliver them to an editor. ACDSee’s incredible ability to generate thumbnails quickly, and the photographer’s ability to process the image without moving away from the software, gives any photographer a distinct advantage. With the right computing device coupled with ACDSee I had given myself an advantage the others didn’t have. Not only was I able to shoot the assignment like I normally would, but I was also transmitting it in almost real time. This speed was instrumental in my photo grabbing the attention of photo editors looking for material. It was also critical in me picking up the cover for American Prospect magazine. When you are dealing with hundreds, sometimes thousands of photos per assignment, it’s important to give yourself the tools to make your workflow as seamless as possible. As a photojournalist I often find myself in situations that require a quick turnaround time from shooting to transmitting. ACDSee facilitates this often stressful dynamic that is common in the world of photojournalism. Because of ACDSee I was able to leave the assignment, get back in my car and start the long drive home while the other photographers were still picking what photos they were going to transmit.