ether Tools and the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) have come together to T create the Ultimate Tethering Guide out of a shared commitment to providing the creative com- munity with the most valuable and useful resources that support the professional practice of still and motion photography. This Guide details the benefits of tethering as well as the best gear and software to use to maximize your results. We touch on topics like how to set up your workflow, which tethering cables are best for your specif- ic camera model, options for wireless tethering, setting up file management systems, backing up your work, and workflow security. And that’s just the beginning! Throughout the guide, we’ll also direct you to many more great resources for staying on top of the latest advancements in workflow technology. CONTRIBUTORS Thank you to all the amazing photographers, writers and industry experts who contributed to the cre- ation of this guide. It would not have been possible without you! Richard Anderson Judy Herrmann Amber McCoy Jay Bartlett Lauren Kapinos Simons Tom Pitts Nicole Chan Tom Kennedy James Quantz Jr. Anders Espersen Josh Kenzer Josh Simons Chris Garrison Mark Kitaoka Douglas Sonders David Grover Peter Krogh Vihang Vasa Richard Harrington Gary Martin Mark Wallace Allan Henry Tracey Martin Terry White ABOUT TETHER TOOLS ABOUT ASMP Tether Tools® is a design and manufacturing com- The American Society of Media Photographers pany providing innovative custom photography (ASMP) is the premier trade association for the equipment and accessories for in studio and on world’s most respected still and motion photogra- location photo and video shoots. Tether Tools is phers. ASMP is the leader in promoting photogra- CHAPTER 1 - Introduction to Tethering committed to providing the highest quality teth- phers’ rights, providing education in better busi- ering and workstation solutions for creatives. ness practices, producing business publications CHAPTER 2 - Tethering Requirements Connect with Tether Tools directly at www.teth- for photographers, and helping to connect pur- ertools.com chasers with professional photographers. Found- ed in 1944, ASMP has more than 6,500 members CHAPTER 3 - Tethering Software CONNECT WITH TETHER TOOLS and 39 chapters. In addition to a wide range of Tether Talk: The go-to online resource for teth- discounts and benefits, ASMP members gain the CHAPTER 4 - File Management Resources ered photography. This blog offers knowledgeable support of an international community of peers insight on the latest gear and software, while also and a fearless advocate championing their inter- connecting you with top industry professionals ests in Congress, contracts and the courts. CHAPTER 5 - Tethering with Cables for advice on everything from photography work- flow to marketing and sales tips. CONNECT WITH ASMP CHAPTER 6 - Wireless Tethering Tether Tools Newsletter: Stay connected with our ASMP Resources: ASMP offers invaluable online monthly newsletter and be the first to know resources to help you master the business side of about new product releases, deals, special events the business. Access timely webinars, tutorials, CHAPTER 7 - Medium Format & Digital Backs and more. guides and more. Facebook: Join 23,000+ other professional photog- Strictly Business Blog: One of the most widely read CHAPTER 8 - Backing up raphers for an interactive online experience that blogs in the industry, ASMP’s Strictly Business presents the latest industry news, contests, and blog features posts by industry insiders, legal ad- behind-the-scenes sneak peeks. visors, and technical experts. Twitter: Real-time conversations with the Tether Facebook & Twitter Follow ASMP on social media Tools team and top photographers spanning al- for news, inspiration and more. most every industry imaginable! Community: Connect with members locally and Instagram: The best place to catch a behind-the- online through the ASMP community. scenes glimpse of tethered workflow from pho- tographers around the globe. Photo: Anders Espersen INTRODUCTION TO TETHERING here’s a lot happening on the average pho- WHAT IS ARCHIVAL TETHERING? to shoot. From models and assistants to T Archival tethering adds an archival backup sys- props and gear, it’s often organized chaos. When tem for your images into your tethering work- you’ve got so many moving parts, one of the most flow. Tethered photography allows you to send important things you can do for your work (and copies to your computer, an external hard drive, sanity!) is to set up an archival tethering system. or even your tablet or smartphone. When you set In this guide, we’ll dive deep into this topic and up an archival tethering system, every capture provide you with critical tools for your photogra- from every tethered shoot is automatically saved, phy career. Let’s start with the basics. secured, named and backed-up. Managing and or- WHAT IS TETHERING? ganizing your photos as they’re captured, lets you spend more time shooting and less time filing. Tethering is the connecting of a single device to Plus you’ll be able to find specific photos you’ve another device. The term tethering encompasses already taken quickly and easily. the actual connectivity of digital devices as well as the integration and mounting of these devices. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? In the context of photo and video, both wired and Tethering helps you get the perfect photo in few- wireless solutions may be used to transfer infor- er shots. Viewing images on a larger screen is a mation (images, video) from your camera to an- great way for you and your clients to spot issues other device. with focus, lighting, posing or composition. You’ll WHAT IS TETHERED PHOTOGRAPHY? spend less time editing and your clients can let you know the moment you’ve captured the shot they Images captured using a tethered photography are looking for. From shoot to publishing, archival workflow get saved directly onto your computer’s tethering speeds up the process in a major way. hard drive in the folder of your choice. Tethering software then displays the images on the larger BENEFITS TO SHOOTING TETHERED computer or tablet screen as they are captured so • View images on a large monitor as you you can see them clearly. In some instances, what shoot we call tethering is sometimes referred to as Di- • Instantly see images at full resolution rect or Instant Image Transfer – this is how you • Check critical focus, composition, styling will often find it listed in camera and software • Adjust lighting and camera settings more manuals. quickly and easily CHAPTER 1 - Introduction to Tethering • Control camera settings and remote trigger NEW TO TETHERING? For a more secure and stable set up that can be from connected device transported easily, you might consider something Like any process, the more into it you get, the more • Share images with art director/client on like this: involved it can become, but setting up a basic teth- site or remotely ered photography system is actually very quick & • Camera of choice • Collaborate more effectively with assis- simple. The easiest way is to try it out using equip- • Tether Pro Cable that’s compatible with tants, stylists and subjects ment you may already have at home or in your stu- your camera • Tag, rate, compare and share images while dio. All you need is: you shoot • Laptop or tablet to receive images • A camera that supports instant image • Share images on multiple devices • Cable retention device for your camera and transfer • Back up files to hard-drive while shooting computer port • A compatible cable to connect your camera • Tether Table – to hold laptop for your • Move images from laptop to desktop in an to a computer instant camera and computer ports • Software to receive the images being sent • Reduce the chance of image loss • Secure Strap – to keep laptop secure TO SET UP A SIMPLE SHOOT: • External Drive Compartment and back up Tethering is also an exceptional on-site teaching 1. Connect your camera, via the cable to your hard drive tool for instructors and workshop attendees. Be- computer • Tripod or C Stand – to hold laptop table ing able to view images on a large screen as they’re 2. Start your software program • Cross Bar & Ballhead - optional to also captured facilitates discussion and helps students hold camera master technical skills, refine techniques and de- 3. Set up a tethered capture session and se- velop their eye much more quickly. lect a folder to receive images 4. Begin shooting – and seeing your images on your screen instantly Photo: Tether Tools Photo: Benjamin Kurtz Photo: Maurice Jager TETHERING REQUIREMENTS efore you can begin tethering, you need to Some camera models support Parallel File Writ- B learn the specific requirements for both your ing, where images are written simultaneously to camera and computer. both the memory card and the computer or tab- let to which you are tethered. As of this writing, Canon is the only manufacturer offering this solu- tion. For those using Sony, Nikon and other man- ufacturers that do not offer parallel file writing in camera, we offer some work-arounds later in this guide. Some cameras require their manufacturers’ proprietary software in order to tether, while oth- ers can use many of the familiar tethering soft- ware solutions we discuss in Chapter 3. COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS FOR TETHERING CAMERA REQUIREMENTS FOR TETHERING For any working professional, time is money. To Most DSLR, mirrorless and medium format cam- avoid costly slowdowns and transfer issues when eras are USB– or Firewire-compatible, meaning shooting tethered, you need to match your com- they have a USB or Firewire port for copying im- puter’s RAM and processing speed to the size of ages from a card to a computer. However this does the files you’re transferring.