Image Mechanics
Capture Questions
Q: What is the advantage of using an Image Mechanic over a freelancer?
A: Our digital techs are highly trained professionals who are employees of Image Mechanics. They are vetted for photo and computer experience and have the personality traits necessary to handle high stress environments. Each one undergoes an extensive internship program combined with supervised on set experience before they are sent out on a job solo. We have insurance in case a shoot goes wrong and our techs are covered under our workers comp policy. They are paid though a payroll service in accordance with all State and Federal laws. What happens if a freelancer loses a shoot, gets hurt on set or sues for overtime? Most business insurance policies won't cover workers comp for freelance employees.
Q: Can your capture specialists help me light and assist during the shoot?
A: To provide the level of service that our clients expect of us, our techs must focus on the camera and computer and are unable to provide photo assistant services.
Q: What is the difference between batch processing and custom processing?
A: Batch processing is very much like it sounds. Raw imagery from the shoot is processed into client ready JPG or 8 bit TIFF files utilizing the settings approved on set. Custom processing involves much the same process, however each image is individually adjusted to provide you with the best file possible. A custom file can be delivered as a 16 bit TIFF on request.
Q: What is the usual turnaround time for a shoot?
A: Due to our streamlined workflow, we can often deliver color corrected Raw or processed files on the day of the shoot. If a web gallery is chosen, the jpgs will be processed, organized and uploaded to the web by 10AM the next business day. If post processing of the entire shoot is asked for, the processed images will be delivered on a hard drive by 5PM the next business day.
Q: If i give you one of my own hard drives, can you deliver the job on that?
A: We are happy to deliver the job on any hard drive you have, provided that it is large enough to hold the shoot and is in good condition. Image Mechanics is not responsible for any prior data on hard drives given to us for shoot delivery.
Q: What is an interactive web gallery?
A: Our web galleries are database driven. That means that instead of creating a bunch of static web pages with hard links, the web pages are created on the fly by our web server. This page doesn't exist anywhere except on your screen. The only way to access it is with the correct link and password. This method also allows us to keyword your images in groups for easy viewing/editing and search-ability.
Q: What is included with web gallery delivery?
A: Interactive web gallery posted by 10am the next morning, which includes processed FPO sized JPGs of your entire shoot (not just camera generated thumbnails), organized by shot and key-worded if applicable. We also provide up to 25 custom processed high res selects delivered via a download link from our webserver. The gallery and downloads are available for 90 days. You can have us handle delivery without feeling nickled and dimed.
Q: Do you travel for jobs?
A: Yes we routinely travel around the world. Each day of travel costs $750. This covers the hourly wage of our tech who by California law is paid from the minute they leave the studio until they arrive at their destination. This fee also covers a portion of the equipment that is also taken out of production for the duration of the travel. If an item is sub-rented, the daily rental will be added to the travel days. Overtime charges of $100 per hour apply after 10 hours of travel.
Q: Can I shoot on a travel day?
A: Yes, no problem. Just keep in mind that the total hours for the day will be billed and overtime applied after 10 hours. For instance, if it takes 6 hours from the time the tech leaves the studio until they arrive at location and then you shoot for 7 hours you will be billed $750 for the first 10 hours and $300 for the remaining 3 hours.
