fotokontrol

Fotokontrol is a term that can refer to several related concepts within photography and visual arts. Primarily, it denotes the process of visually inspecting and evaluating photographic prints, negatives, or digital images. This inspection is crucial for assessing technical quality, such as focus, exposure, and composition, as well as artistic merit. In a professional context, photographers and editors often perform fotokontrol to select the best images for publication or display.

The term can also be associated with the quality control mechanisms employed in film processing and printing. Historically, a "fotokontrol" station in a darkroom would be where a technician meticulously examined each print for defects before it was sent to the customer. This involved checking for dust, scratches, chemical stains, and inconsistencies in color or density.

In a broader sense, fotokontrol can encompass the entire workflow of image management and curation. This includes organizing digital assets, applying metadata, and ensuring that images meet specific standards or requirements. The advent of digital photography has expanded the scope of fotokontrol, making it an integral part of digital asset management (DAM) systems. It ensures that a collection of images is consistent, usable, and maintains its intended quality over time. The underlying principle remains the careful and critical examination of visual material.