Ulta-custom Projects and Work - Overview

In the early days of photography a master photographer would work hand-in-hand with a master printer to create a masterful image. The photographer and the printer worked together as a team. It was a collaborative effort that yielded a final product far superior to any thing they could have done working independently. In our mass production world that relationship has ceased to exist, and in many cases photographers never even have the to opportunity to talk with the lab folks who work on their images. Step back in time with us. We’ve returned to the very beginnings of the lab industry; to a time when photographers and printers worked together to create wonderful works of art.

Ulta-custom Projects and Work - Technical Details

Our master printer & lab manager is Lee Dubois. He holds both Society of Photo Finishing Engineers and Certified Photographic Consultant ratings from the Photo Marketing Association International, and has over 30 years of darkroom experience. Yeah, the guy really knows how to print. He’s also an award winning photographer with over 20 professional photography awards, two published monographs, and literally thousands of images in print. Lee handles all of our Ulta-custom stuff personally. He works most weekends and is happy to chat with photographers on the phone about their projects. Sometimes we get in on the ground floor of a project, before the shooting even begins, to help with film choice and project development; other times we’re talking print options on projects that were shot decades ago.

There is no limit to what can be done. There are still dozens of niche papers, chemicals, and films available to shooters who value craftsmanship and desire a unique and distinctive product.

It is nearly impossible to have a rate sheet for this kind of work, but in many cases it is much les expensive than you might imagine. Our base rate sheet serves as a guide. Unusual papers and chemicals can drive costs up 10-30%. Our advice and opinions, as always, remain free! In some cases parts of a project can actually cost less than published rates. As an example, on a recent long-term project the photographer needed 5x7 proof prints. As we don't do proofs anymore, these had to be made by hand on enlargers. The standard cost of a 5x7 made this cost prohibitive. On the other hand, these prints didn't need to be of exacting quality either. Net result, we did the proofs at half off our regular price so that the project could become a reality.

Call (weekend late morning the most likely time to catch Lee) and discuss your project with him. The call is free. The quote is free. The Possibilities are endless.



About Us . . . News & Notes . . . Film Processing, Proofing & Scanning . . . Hand-printed Enlargements

Ultra-custom Projects & Work . . . Order Forms and Shipping . . . Rates



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