"No more database photos"

The auction is continuously developing. Now the process is more often digital. One of the implications is that products must be presented in a robust and reliable manner. That means that photographs should be current and standardized delivered at the EAB (Electronic Delivery Letter), so that the buyer will be informed as precisely as possible. "The photos used to come often from the archives of the VKC, the Permanent Judging Committee for new horticultural products, but they want to change that. Eventually they will accept only actual photos, which is, after all, no more than logical. Depending on the plant or flowers per season there are differences in color, length and many other characteristics."

This was said by Kees Helderman from KH Fotosupport, a company that supports growers in making photographs and sells necessary materials (lamps, standards, canvases, cameras, etc.). Kees himself started as a breeder of patio and garden plants, he saw the importance of photography for trade and decided to make work from his hobby. He developed 'Studio's', often shooting on request in his own studio at the DemoKwekerij and 'helped out' several hundred growers throughout the country. Since the spring, Helderman has established close cooperation with Beeldveilen.nu.

Biggest mistake
"Taking pictures isn't that difficult, you can take some nice snapshots with a smart phone these days. That used to be different," says Kees Helderman. Most cameras these days automatically adjust white balance and get better pictures, but that doesn't solve the problem The white balance is always calculated differently and therefore every picture is always different. Using a so-called gray card we carry out the camera calculations to determine the optimal balance, to always make the best quality pictures."

"Often little things and simple tips make a better quality photo," says Kees Helderman. One of the most common and very easy to prevent mistakes is the fact that the breeders put the plants against the wall. You shouldn't do that, because then you get shadows. Put the plant or flower 60 or 70 centimeters in front of the canvas and you get much better photos."

Canon
The equipment and the cameras come from Canon. According to Helderman this also could be a different manufacturer; they all have a high quality, there are not many differences. "The Canon camera includes a standard software, EOS Utility, that puts the picture directly on the monitor. At other brands you have to pay for this option. But I find it useful to work with a brand. You have the same display, the same manuals, same functionality and it works just slightly easier."

Coming up
"So we have written a program that uploads photos in EAW which are automatically well positioned, have the right proportions and possibly own watermark or template. A kind of photoshop but very simple. This program is ready and we are satisfied with it. "Another project is to develop an app for the newest iPhone, you can preset a default white balance (it happens automatically on older IPhones). Then, the grower can take pictures with his own phone and doesn't need to buy an expensive camera. And when we get that far, we can probably make that app for other devices too - but we will see when it comes to that time," laughs Helderman.

More information:
KH Fotosupport
Kees Helderman
Strandweg 441
3151 HV Hoek van Holland
06 537 209 85
E: info@keeshelderman.nl
www.keeshelderman.nl