PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES
Scanning   Custom Prints & Enlargements   Prints from Prints   Presentation Slides   Package Prints   Photo Restorations

Certainly good equipment is important, but having the expertise to properly run and calibrate the equipment is paramount.
Unlike other photofinishing labs that rely on automated equipment to do their scanning, ColorWorks fine tunes every reflective or transparency on an individual basis. While this approach requires considerably more time, we find it the only way to ensure the highest quality output.
Second, we have over $10,000 invested in color management software to insure proper color calibration of our scanners.

Finally, the scans needs to be high enough resolution to insure the final output does not contain digital artifacts. The bulk of the scans from consumer digital cameras and mass-merchandiser photofinishing labs lack the necessary resolution, but also the color accuracy needed for the critical nature of custom printing or specialized Giclee' printing.
We can accommodate scanning sizes from 1/2 frame, 35 mm, up to 11 by 17 inches, either reflective or transparency.
What cannot be accomplished by the dedicated film scanner or flatbed scanner is handled as flat art copy 

Flat Art Copy page

Custom Prints and Enlargements:
Over 13 years ago, we started the ColorWorks lab producing custom made prints. This was a time-consuming, trial and error method, but it insured the most accurate color possible. The process insured color rendition that was unattainable by any automated process. A machine can only do what it is programed to do. The only way to ensure pleasing color, which is, after all, an aesthetic judgment, is through the eye of an experienced, trained professional. This is a process that takes years, if not a lifetime to master.

Computers have put many of these tools that are needed in the hands of the average person.
However, calibrating the equipment so that what you see on the screen matches the output, and having the artistic sensitivity and knowledge to apply those controls still remains a genuine art.

The consumer is in the best possible position today as what we are able to produce now was nearly impossible just five years ago, or at the least was very cost prohibitive.
The best news is that the prices have also come down dramatically as well.
We are actually charging less today than what we did when we opened our doors some 13 years ago, and the product is better than it has ever been.
How many business can make that statement?

Some of the controls possible with custom prints are:
Density (lightness and darkness)
Overall contrast
Local contrast (contrast within a specific set of values)
Color saturation
Saturation of specific hues
Value (lightness and darkness) of specific tones.
Hue changes of specific colors
Dust and scratch removal
Sharpening and softening of the image overall, or just specific areas
Burning and dodging (lightening or darkening specific regions of the prints)
Cropping.

Making a Print from a Print:
There have been a number of machines to appear on the market in recent years to produce copies from a print. The Kodak Image Magic (TM) machine is one that comes to mind.
While these machines provide an economical method to copy a photograph onto another piece of photographic material, they are really nothing more than glorified copy machines.
They can only do, what they're programmed for, and certainly cannot match the sensitivity or artistic judgment of a trained professional printmaker, nor do they have the controls available to do so.
In my experience, an original print can be enhanced or otherwise adjusted to improve its appearance in all most every case.
When you consider that most 4x6 prints come from automated machines, it's certainly easy to understand.
What we do differently?
At ColorWorks we color correct the image, adjust contrast and saturation and also remove minor dust and scratches.
We also offer a photographic restoration service, for those images that need it.
We offer a much greater choice of paper selections than the standard glossy.
We also allow for multiple images to be printed on the same sheet of paper for greater economy.

We have been told quite a few times that our copies look better than the original.
The next time you have a print that needs to be copied, we ask that you give us a try.
We are convinced that once you see the difference, you'll never go back to one of those automated machines again!

Presentation Slides:
What are presentation slides?
Simply put, presentation slides are film transparencies (slides) that are produced from any digital file.
Whether the original source is from a Power Point presentation, or a scan from reflective artwork, or perhaps an image from a digital camera; the final product is a full-color, 35 mm slide ready to project.
These are produced on our machine that is specifically designed to produce high-resolution images onto a piece of film, without any distortions or other artifacts.

The resolution is 4000 lines per inch.
It is a fairly slow process for the machine to produce such high resolution, with each slide taking about 10 to 12 minutes.
The price has not changed in over 13 years. The price is a flat $4.95 per image + film processing.
Please keep in mind that this price is for images from a digital source.
Any scanning that would need to be done prior to producing the slide is a separate service.
See Scanning for more details.

Package Prints
Package printings and volume printing also are other types of printing services we offer.
Because a custom print is truly made to order, we quote prices on an individual basis.
Please phone or write us to discuss your specific needs.

Photo Restorations:
Years ago, when I restored antiques and for a living I learned quite a bit about how to properly restore an heirloom. The goal, is not necessarily to make the piece look brand new, but rather very well taken care of, or in fine condition, for its age. In the case of furniture, there is a "patina " that takes years to develop. Sanding through this outer layer destroys the beauty of what time has created naturally.
In the case of old photographs, age yellows old photographs and reduces their contrast significantly. This is also part of their charm and appeal. Second, the photographs of the late 1800 and early 1900 typically were not extremely glossy. Many of the photographs were also hand colored prior to the invention of color photography. The effect is quite sublte in most cases.

Our goal at ColorWorks is to take as little intervention as necessary to bring the piece back to a restored condition. We suggest starting with the larger tears and creases in a piece, and then working your way down to smaller scratches and imperfections. There is nothing to say that a piece needs to be completely restored. Sometimes, just taking care of the larger defects is enough--it's your choice.

Our approach to restoration is different than most, however it has been met with much enthusiasm. Certainly everyone appreciates saving money as well.
Once a piece is finally restored, you want it to last as long as the original, if not longer. We use 100 percent pigment ink on acid free paper stock.
Print life, as determined by Wilhelm research, is over 80 years.

Because of the unique nature of photo restorations, each piece is quoted a price to retore based on inspection. Also, the final price is not carved in stone. We try to estimate as accurately as possible, but sometimes the price comes in under, and sometimes over our quoted figure . Generally, if we anticipate running over our quote, we will contact you for approval. Turnaround time typically runs four to six weeks, with some pieces taking up to three months to properly restore. This is very intricate, detailed work that is done slowly and carefully, over a long period of time.
We have a 100 percent acceptance rate.

Scanning   Custom Prints & Enlargements   Prints from Prints   Presentation Slides   Package Prints   Photo Restorations