A question to EVERY pro out there

wesscott

I have a question that I want to ask any Pro Photographer that is kind enough to reply to this thread. I stickly want your opinion. However, I also want to hear your reasoning.

I am a marketing consultant. Currently, I am working for a film processing lab that is stagnating after the massive change to digital. A lot of their equipment is worthless now and they have a lot of extra space. They are currently surviving off of professional photographers that are printing commercial work and fine artists that need digitization and prints for clients.

From my understanding the photography market is now very saturated and much more competitive since the rise of digital. So, a lot of photographers are switching to printers that are lower cost.

I find myself pondering a few questions:

Is there any need for photo finishers in the social photography market with so many great strides in technology? I mean my father is old school and still sends all his wedding photography work to photo finishers and pays more. I just calibrate my equipment properly and print through smugmug. The end product is almost the same thing...

For commercial work are pro photo finishers still needed and how might that change in the future?

dogwood

Well I can tell you that retouching is vital these days. You'd be hard pressed to find a magazine photo (in a style/fashion mag anyway) that hasn't been retouched. And that's with perfect lighting, makeup, model, exposure etc. It all still gets retouched.

There are retouching services in my town that handle post-production work on weddings, portraits, etc. A lot of the big name photogs (guys like Nick Knight) will spend more time on post-production work than shooting the actual photos.

So... not sure if that answers your question but there is definitely a STRONG market for retouching, if that's what you are asking.

EDIT: hey -- just noticed you're in PDX -- check out Times Two Studios. They offer portrait and wedding retouching.

wesscott

Thanks for the input you are very correct when saying that retouching is vital. However, that wasn't really my question so let me clarify more.

I am more concerned with the printing aspect. What REAL diffrence in quality is there between printing companies? Often times, I notice that there are "photo finishing" labs and then there are printers like smugmug or the people smugmug outsources to. The "photo finishing" labs are more spendy and other printers are less expensive and more flexible typically. So why would one even do business with a "photo finishing" lab provided post production and retouching was already in the bag?

Furthermore, as a professional photographer what factors are most important when choosing a printer?

Howard Barlow

Time. Back in the early 80's, I bought Kreonite color and b&w processors, a film processor, and a Durst mini printer. I saved a big bag of money on my wedding printing, teams, commercial, etc. But, I traded half my hours in the day, too. I was in the lab till midnight, most days. Finally, I had enough. I wanted my life back. I wanted to be a photographer, not a printer.

I sold my Hassys a couple of years ago and went digital. I still have no desire to print. Of course, today, printing options are far more advanced than that time. However, the same applies. I want my time.

Plus, to print portraits, I would need a bigger space for the equipment. I would have to add mounting and spraying equipment. And, most importantly, I would have to hire help. Nope, not gonna duit. Not going back into the hassle of employees ever again.

So, I need a pro lab. I do my own retouching, but hitting that upload button is as close to a lab as I am getting. The most importrant thing for me, from my lab, is getting it right the first time, fast service, ease of online access.

My primary lab just announced they are not going to process film after the end of the year. Yep, the times, they are achanging.

rwells

I use a Pro Lab for several reasons:

* The lab I use is very organized. They have several checks in place to make sure orders are correct, and this also helps them stay on their normal scheduling. Orders placed before noon go out that same day.

* The lab I use has actual "humans" evaluating EVERY PHOTOGRAPH before it's printed.

---

I know what your thinking... that's what I said too, until I visited the lab and saw it with my own eyes!!!

* The lab I use goes to great lengths to help photographers build their business. Marketing help, products, advice, etc. You can pick up the phone and call ANYONE. The lab director, President, Marketing manager, etc. - It's nice to know that they truly value your business, and you know that your business image, and your photographic images are a top priority with them.

* The lab I use produces the best prints that I have ever received from a Pro Lab.

* Bottom line: I can concentrate on being a photographer, not a printer. I NEVER have to worry about my printed products.


So, to answer your question: Yes, a Pro Lab is VERY IMPORTANT to me.

The items listed are key services to me.


*PS: I will not reveal the particular lab I use on another lab's message board* What's important to this OP's question is whether a Pro Lab is still a valuable resource.

wesscott

rwells wrote:

I use a Pro Lab for several reasons:

* The lab I use is very organized. They have several checks in place to make sure orders are correct, and this also helps them stay on their normal scheduling. Orders placed before noon go out that same day.

* The lab I use has actual "humans" evaluating EVERY PHOTOGRAPH before it's printed.

---

I know what your thinking... that's what I said too, until I visited the lab and saw it with my own eyes!!!

* The lab I use goes to great lengths to help photographers build their business. Marketing help, products, advice, etc. You can pick up the phone and call ANYONE. The lab director, President, Marketing manager, etc. - It's nice to know that they truly value your business, and you know that your business image, and your photographic images are a top priority with them.

* The lab I use produces the best prints that I have ever received from a Pro Lab.

* Bottom line: I can concentrate on being a photographer, not a printer. I NEVER have to worry about my printed products.


So, to answer your question: Yes, a Pro Lab is VERY IMPORTANT to me.

The items listed are key services to me.


*PS: I will not reveal the particular lab I use on another lab's message board* What's important to this OP's question is whether a Pro Lab is still a valuable resource.

Wow, that was a great response. Thank you very much very informative!