Digital imaging offers many advantages to the modern-day photographer. The immediate feedback and gratification of seeing the image on the screen moments after the camera is fired allows the photographer to know instantly whether or not the goal has been achieved.

This type of reward comes with additional responsibilities. With the photographer now producing a file, once the responsibility of the film scanner, they must also do everything possible to achieve accurate and consistent color for their clients. Whether images will be used in a catalog, with several on the same page, or in a fashion layout, accuracy and repeatability of color is a must. When film was scanned, the operator was able to make adjustments to maintain consistency from image to image. Since the technician was usually not present during the photo shoot they used their interpretation and experience to judge the color. In today’s high-tech, precise world many clients and photographers are looking for more. Digital photography takes the guess work away from a technician and puts the control back on the photographer’s shoulders.

With multi-shot digital cameras, using either a moving CCD or rotating filter to shoot three or more consecutive images, later compiled by the computer to create a single color image, consistency from flash to flash is critical. These cameras capture red, green, and blue as separate layers to create the full-color image. Should one of the exposures vary in density, the correct color will not be achieved when the computer generates the final file.

With single-shot digital cameras, pixels on the sensor are colored using red, green, and blue dyes. Therefore during a single exposure incomplete color data is recorded. When the computer processes the data it makes judgements based on the information provided and fills in the blanks. Consistency in output and color temperature from exposure to exposure is the only way to ensure high quality digital images.

Some high-quality flash systems can achieve this when using only one head at a time. Problems arise when multiple heads are used asymmetrically during the same exposure. The new Profoto D4 utilizes hybrid technologies and the latest advances in microprocessor design to ensure light output and color remain constant flash to flash, day to day, year to year, regardless of the number of heads used and over the entire power range.

Through the use of the computer interface supplied with the D4, all operations of up to 127 packs can be controlled through a single computer, and all with the click of a mouse using a menu designed like the top panel of the generator.