(Frequently Asked Questions)
What size digital photograph should I submit?
What format should the photos be in?
Should I manipulate the photo or send it in its original form?
What is a Submission Form?
>What is a rtf (rich text format) file?
Should I format the text within my document?
I am a lampworker, not a professional writer. Will someone be editing my text?
Do you have any tips for tutorial photographs?
Do you have any tips for backgrounds?
Why are my photos blurry?
I keep getting glare or "hot spots" on my glass in my photos. What can I do?
Where should I send my completed submission?
How will I know if my submission has been accepted?
I have a question about submissions that is not listed on this page. What should I do?
What size digital photograph should I submit?
When taking photos for The Flow, keep in mind they must be very high quality.We can adjust digital files to make them smaller, but cannot make them larger, therefore, please do not edit your photos. It is best to send us the original photo file from the camera. If any modifications or adjustments need to be done, we will perform those adjustments.
To take high resolution digital photos you should use the highest possible setting on your camera. The bigger the better. Choose "best," "highest," or "fine," for optimum resolution and quality. First, under "Resolution," pick "best" or "highest." This means you'll capture the maximum number of pixels possible with your camera. More resolution means more detail in your photo. If your camera has a "Quality" setting, pick "Fine" or "Best," or whatever other word is used to denote the top quality. When in doubt, spend a few minutes with the instruction manual that came with your camera.
By using the best settings in these two areas, you'll limit the number of pictures your camera can capture. If your memory card fills before you are finished shooting, simply transfer them to your computer and then take some more.
If we receive small, low resolution photos we will not be able to publish them.
Also, please turn off the autodate stamp on your camera. Shoot all photographs using a landscape (horizontal) format and do not alternate the position of the camera, if possible. We will crop the photo as we lay out the article. Therefore, it is always better to have more background than less.
Should I manipulate the photo or send it in its original form?
Please submit the raw image as it came off of your digital camera. Please note that your camera should be set to its highest resolution and quality. Please do not change the original photo by color correcting, cropping, layering graphics, combining photos into one, etc. Please do not put text on the photo.
What is a Submission Form?
The Flow's Submission Form is a printable form to aid in our submission process. Please print this document and fill it out to include with your mailed submission. Click here to go to our Submission Form page.
What is a rtf (rich text format) file?
We prefer that the text you submit be saved as Rich Text Format (rtf) file as it preserves the style of the font. Rich Text Format Files are an alternative format to the DOC file type supported by Microsoft Word, Wordpad, and other text programs. RTF files are ASCII text files and include embedded formatting commands that translate well from computer to computer.
To change your text's file type, open your text document. Open the Save As dialog box and in the Save as type/File type box open the drop-down menu and select the file type – RTF.
Windows Vista users, please do not save your document as a docx file. We are unable to use this type of file.
Should I format the text within my document?
Text formatting is selected by the magazine and applied at the time of layout to each article for consistency throughout the issue. Therefore, we request that you type the instructions using straight text in Times font, if you have it, or Times New Roman. Use only one space rather than two following each sentence. Please do not attempt to layout the pages, use any type of page formatting (such as double-line spacing, auto spacing before or after paragraphs, or section and page breaks), or add any text formatting (such as special or colored fonts, bolding, italics, tabs, etc.). The only exception to this would be words in the text that require special emphasis. (Example: Be sure to wear eye protection when performing this step.) Also avoid the use of headers and footers, since the space used by the text boxes created for headers and footers cannot be deleted even after the text itself has been deleted. Inch marks (straight) rather than quotation marks (curved) should be used when giving measurements. Following these suggestions is important; since all of the formatting must be added after the article is placed into our page-building program and must be removed from the text before we can place the article if it is present when we receive the document from you.
I am a lampworker, not a professional writer. Will someone be editing my text?
We encourage lampworkers who may not be professional writers to contribute to The Flow. A professional text editor will edit your material for grammar, length and clarity to fit the requirements or format of the magazine. Darlene Wech is a highly trained writer and proofreader for various book publishing companies, including The Flow. Darlene works to assure continuity and accuracy and also serves as one of the contributing writers for the magazine.
Do you have any tips for tutorial photographs?
Please clear your bench or table of any unnecessary tooling or material. Clutter takes attention away from the process you are photographing. Please shoot illustrational photos that have a clean, white background. White drywall board or homisote board is excellent for this purpose, or you can use noncoated paper remnant rolls that you can obtain from a local printer. Remember to start with a fresh paper for each project. Caution: Do not use a glossy paper for the work area as the reflection will likely show up in the photographs. It is important that the shots for each project have the same background tone or tint throughout that project, if possible.
When photographing how-to's, for best results take the photo outside of the flame so detail of the progression of the piece can be seen more clearly. Do not include blurry photos. Make sure there is a photo to accompany each step. Include as many views of the finished piece as possible, from all sides as well as top and bottom.
Please indicate where the photos should ideally be placed in the text by inserting each photo number in parentheses at the correct position within the text. Assign each image a number that corresponds to the step where it should be placed in the how-to instructions.
Do you have any tips for backgrounds?
Reduce clutter in the background. Clutter takes attention away from your artwork or process you are photographing. Clean your work station before shooting a tutorial. When taking photographs of finished pieces, use sloped, seamless paper for the background. Experiment with dark, white or gradient photography background papers. If you use a cloth, make sure it covers the entire background and is not patterned or wrinkled. Do not send photos of people holding your artwork.
Why are my photos blurry?
To shoot a sharp picture, you must have a steady camera. When you're holding something at arm's length, steadiness can be a problem. With any camera, camera shake can be a big problem, and ruin pictures. Try holding the camera with both hands or use a tripod. When you're ready to take the picture, press the shutter release gently, don't punch it. Many photographers either let their breath out, or take a breath in, steadying themselves before pressing the shutter.
You can even turn on or off the Macro Mode on your camera. In order to have a better focus on different objects, this feature will increase the camera's ability to focus at a short distance on the items. Try it ON or OFF and see the one that works better for you. This feature is especially helpful for close-ups.
Don't overlook the obvious. Start by cleaning your lens, and cleaning it properly. You can get a good quality lens cleaning cloth or paper at virtually any camera shop—which is a good idea to keep handy.
I keep getting glare or "hot spots" on my glass in my photos. What can I do?
As you probably know, glass can be difficult to capture in a photograph! The correct lighting depends on the color and size of your pieces, which is why we can't give you specific advise. Use your digital camera to take pictures, review them, erase the results if they don't meet expectations, and then shoot again. We encourage you to experiment until you reach your desired results. You can take many photos until you find the correct lighting.
If possible experiment with diffusing your lighting. Cover your lights with fire retardant cloth, tracing paper, or use a photo booth. You can even take your photos outdoors on a slightly overcast day. Experiment with turning off or disabling the camera flash.
Where should I send my completed submission?
We prefer that you send your submission on disc by mail. Please include in your package a labeled disc with your submission files, a completed submission form, and a printed laser proof (optional).
Please mail your submission to:
For all US Postal Service deliveries: For any Fed-Ex or UPS deliveries:
The Flow The Flow
PO Box 125 6354 Hwy 250 North
Marietta, TX 75566 Naples, TX 75568
How will I know if my submission has been accepted?
Upon receipt of your submission, The Flow will contact you to confirm reciept, discuss when your artwork is likely to be published, and other details. Please keep in mind that we plan our issues up to a year in advance. All types of submissions are accepted year-round for all issues and are scheduled as space permits. Consideration of your submission for publication in The Flow is as much a matter of editorial and seasonal circumstance as the quality of your artwork and digital photographs. For a detailed forecast on our upcoming themed issues and deadlines for submissions, please click here. Often our issue is filled before our editorial deadline date. Please send in your submission before the deadline, if possible. We look forward to reviewing your submission!
I have a question about submissions that is not listed on this page. What should I do?
Please email any additional questions you may have to Jennifer Quaid at Editor@TheFlowMagazine.com.
|
