Friday 9 November 2012

How To Operate A Professional Photo Lab

By Madeline Finch


This refers to a place where raw images are changed to what we know as pictures. It means that the photo-films and image files in flash disks, digital media, flashcards, or camera memory, are converted to pictures in the professional photo lab. The place where we do this is also referred to as a darkroom.

Many ideas float at the thought of a photographic laboratory. The chiefest should be the premises, because we are talking of a darkroom. Archaic technology has a myriad of requirements to handle the films and the photo paper. The space should be totally dark. An image developer is used to convert film to image and will need a stop bath to avoid overdoing it. Once processed, a fixer keeps the photographs' color constant.

Equipment used are easily available on the market. A setup for thirty five millimeters and one hundred and twenty millimeters must be used together with a reel for the development container. Additionally, the laboratory may also need to have large sheet films to accommodate wider images. Enlargers will be used to scan images from the paper films.

A sink will also come in handy. It will be used to rinse processed films and prints. Color prints will need more precision in timing and temperatures and thus will want experienced photographic laboratory technicians. It will also call for a higher degree of light proofing.

Modernization of the whole art has made it easier to make photographs. A commercial machine known as minilab, replaces most of the above functionality easily and makes photo imaging less hectic. Once in place, a minilab will only require a printer connection to make photographs. Another common method is the wet film. It is a hybrid method that takes advantage of computer software to change image toning and then spools them for print.

A digital camera will push a photo business three steps ahead as the preliminary stages will not be required. A digital photo is just put into a computer and spooled to the photograph printer. Other sources of pictures are also accommodated in this model, where phones, tablets and personal digital assistants replace traditional cameras.

Before having a lab one would ponder on key things. The money involved, machinery needed, and the rental space are the pillars. They will dictate the extent of the business. The more money, space and equipment, the better the business. Approval from relevant authorities and online presence is a step in the right direction.

Lab technicians need to be thoroughly acquainted with the procedures for a successful enterprise. Computer operation is a must in the business and they should be able to handle it. Customer relational skills and quality work should also be checked. A great worker should also be tidy and neat to make the laboratory great.

So whether the professional photo lab is a business or a hobby, it can still be fun. This is basically some insight on how and what to do when. Once there is a room, equipment, staff and the zeal, the business can start.




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