LDPhotolab Prints Fine Art for Photographer Paolo Rubini’s Capture Photography Festival Exhibit ‘Hands On’

Photolab Manager Adonia (left) and photographer Paolo Rubini (right) showing one of Paolo’s prints currently part of his Capture Photography exhibition at VIFF Vancity Theatre

Originally from Italy, photographer Paolo Rubini has travelled the world capturing a wide array of cultures and the hidden beauty of everyday life. He now calls Vancouver home, and his project ‘Hands On: A Handcrafted Human Mosaic’, which features images from 15 different countries, was recently selected by Capture Photography Festival for exhibition during the 2019 season.

“Hands On came to me as a project idea while travelling in India. It struck me as an original and potential-full opportunity to try and analyze our human condition across different countries and latitudes, by using an aspect of our body we all have in common as a common ground,” explains Paolo.

As a supporter of Capture Photography Festival since its inception 6 years ago, the London Drugs Photolab has provided gallery quality prints for selected photographers like Paolo to showcase their lens-based art during  the annual photography exhibition. Our Photolab Technicians work one-on-one with the selected photographers to choose the right print surface for their images, adjust the colours and other elements to the photographer’s specifications, and ensure the final product meets the high standards of gallery quality prints.

Building a trusting relationship between photographer and Photolab Technician is an incredibly important part of the printing process. When Paolo first met with LDPhotolab Manager Adonia, he was looking to have his black and white images printed on a metallic surface. After looking over Paolo’s images however, Adonia suggested Paolo might like to try a more matte and textured print surface, such as linen paper. Surfaces like linen or bamboo paper look particularly excellent with black and white images, and Adonia recognized the linen paper would also work well with the fact that the prints would be backlit with natural light in the exhibit space. After testing both metallic and matte surfaces, Paolo made the final call to print on linen paper!

Photolab Manager Adonia and photographer Paolo Rubini discussing the texture of linen prints.

“Black and white convey a certain poetry and timeless feeling, furthermore it helps the viewer focusing more on the composition of the image, its narrative and the texture of the elements on focus. Color sometimes can be distracting and misleading, especially in a concept series like this one,” says Paolo. “I usually go for a glossy reflecting surface, mostly in colour but also black and white. My go to paper would be the photo-metallic paper because it gives more depth to the colours. This time, considering the texture I wanted to enhance and the light coming from the back of the picture I opted for a thicker and more textured paper: the LDPhotolab’s Linen White. It proved to be the right choice for this show.”

Once the final decision on print surface was made, Paolo was able to provide feedback on tweaking the colouring of the images (in this case, the warmness or coolness of the black and white, the darkness of the blacks and the brightness of the whites).

“Working with Adonia and her Granville location photolab team was particularly inspiring because of their expertise and wealth of knowledge in understanding and accommodating my vision and their outstanding customer service. They went above and beyond with me, making my show almost like it was their own,” says Paolo.

After the collaborative process of tweaking the images was complete, our photolab printed all of Paolo’s images for the exhibit using the state-of-the art Epson 9000 large format printer. Photolab Manager Adonia then met with Paolo one last time for a final inspection of the fine art prints. Paolo looked over each image individually to confirm they were ready for display, even asking for some final feedback from our Photolab Manager Adonia on what part of each image drew her eye, to ensure it was achieving the desired effect.

“It has been such a pleasure working with amazing photographers like Paolo, and so rewarding bringing their artwork to life,” says Adonia. “The journey from initially meeting and viewing photos, to producing the physical prints in such an impactful way is one of the best parts of being a photolab technician.”

Of course, seeing the fine art prints on display is always a thrilling part of the process for Paolo. “After the set up and the opening, I was very happy to take a step back and look at all their picture displayed together. Each of them was carrying its little story, informing and inspiring others. It is a collection of humanity that I’m very proud to share because it talks about us and what makes us all similar and yet each unique,” he says.

Paolo Rubini in front of his Capture Photography Festival exhibit ‘Hands On’, at the VIFF Vancity Theatre in Vancouver

If you want to check out Paolo Rubini’s prints in person, you can see them at VIFF Vancity Theatre in Vancouver from April 14th to May 5th, Monday to Sunday, 6pm onwards (and when films are being shown).

London Drugs Photolab Honoured to Print National Pictures of the Year

News Photographers Association of Canada’s Capture Photography Festival exhibit printed with the help of LDPhotolab’s expertise and state-of-the-art printing equipment

Images on left wall by photographers Jonathan Hayward (top left), Jeff McIntosh (bottom left), Martin Tremblay (centre), Carlos Osorio (top left), Leah Hennel (bottom right).

Every year, the very best Canadian photojournalists are nominated for the National Pictures of the Year Awards, organized by the News Photographers Association of Canada (NPAC). Each of the prestigious nominated photos are then showcased during a Capture Photography Festival exhibition…with a little help from our London Drugs Photolab!

This year, our Photolab Technician Adonia worked with NPAC’s coordinator Ali Ledgerwood to print each of the nominated photos for the exhibit. The photos were printed using our photolab’s state-of-the-art Epson 9000 large format printer, on fine art paper with patented dye inks that deliver the very best in colour and definition.

An image by Canadian photographer Darryl Dyck being printed on the Epson 9000

Each image was then inspected by hand, and adjustments were made to get the colours of each image just right. The vibrant image coming off the Epson printer here is of 89-year old Canadian Blood Services volunteer, Nina Graham, taken by nominated Canadian photographer Darryl Dyck. Seeing it, you just can’t help but smile!

Photolab Manager Adonia stands with News Photographers Association of Canada coordinator Ali Ledgerwood. Image on print by photographer Darryl Dyck

This is the 6th year the London Drugs Photolab has prepared the prints for the National Pictures of the Year exhibit.

“Working with Adonia at the LDPhotolab has been amazing.  The quality of the prints and the professionalism with the team is unprecedented.  We have the largest show as far as Capture goes, and I never have to worry about timing or the amount of work printed in such a tight timeframe.  Always accommodating and always first class,” says Ali Ledgerwood.

Fine art print of an image by photographer Darryl Dyck

From photolab to the gallery wall; it’s always a thrill to see the final prints on display! Here, you can see Darryl Dyck’s colourful shot showcased at the opening of NPAC’s National Pictures of the Year exhibit, during Capture Photography Festival at the Pendulum Gallery in Vancouver.

“Photographers use their cameras as tools of exploration, documentation and ultimately, as instruments of change.  This is a testament to the ideal that photojournalism matters—now more than ever,” Ali says. “When I walk through and I see school groups completely engaged with the photos and related stories, it’s hard not to get emotional.  We are so honoured that we are able to produce an exhibit like this and we certainly couldn’t do it without the support of the LDPhotolab.”

Photographer Chris Donovan standing beside two of his photos nominated for National Picture of the Year

Chris Donovan was one of the nominated Canadian photographers who attended the opening of the Capture Photography Festival exhibit for the National Pictures of the Year. Chris’ photos are nominated in multiple categories, including the Sports Feature Category for two images he took in Flint Michigan with ESPN. Chris was also named last year’s Photojournalist of the Year!

“It’s always a great feeling to see your work printed whether it’s in a newspaper or on a gallery wall. To have this work in such a visible place alongside some of Canada’s finest photojournalists is an honour. The prints look stunning and I’m truly grateful to London Drugs for helping support Canadian photojournalism over the years,” says Chris.

Images by photographers Cold Burston (top left), Kayle Neis (bottom left), Chris Donovan (centre & top right), Pieter de Vos (bottom right)

Feeling inspired by these talented Canadian photographers? We can print your photos in gallery quality too! Choose from our photolab’s wide variety of fine art prints, such as the enlargements printed on Epson Lustre Paper used for this exhibition, or other surfaces like bamboo paper, metallic paper, aluminum metal panels, canvas prints and canvas gallery wraps. The choice is yours!

15 Exhibitions to Check Out During Vancouver’s Capture Photography Festival

London Drugs Photolab supports featured artists with gallery-quality prints for lens-based art exhibits

 

For the 6th consecutive year, London Drugs is proudly sponsoring the Capture Photography Festival in Vancouver. Photography exhibits will pop up all over Metro Vancouver during the month of April, celebrating lens-based art by both local and international artists. In support of these talented artists, the London Drugs Photolab is providing printing grants to select artists participating in the Capture Photography Festival. These grants will supply the artists with the gallery quality prints they need for their gallery exhibitions.

Over the past few weeks, our experienced Photolab Technicians across Vancouver have been working diligently with each of the selected artists to get their images ready for public display, ensuring the colours are to the artist’s specifications, and printing everything from enlargements to aluminum metal panels and fine art Hahnemühle bamboo fine art prints – all using the most innovative photofinishing equipment.

Photolab Manager Cassidy works on the Iris Film Collective’s LOOPDALOOP exhibit, printing stills taken from 16mm motion picture film (Photo credit: Alex MacKenzie)

Capture’s community engagement assistant, Laura, picks up a set of museum quality prints from Photolab Technician Lee, ready for display! The prints will be on display as part of the Flash Forward Incubator student exhibition.

 

To show your support for the local photography community and see the final prints in person, check out these Capture Photography Festival exhibits this April – all supported by London Drugs printing grants:

 

NPAC’s National Pictures of the Year Nominees

Mark Blinch – The Canadian Press, 2018

April 1 – 26

Group Exhibit – News Photographers Association of Canada

Pendulum Gallery, 885 W Georgia St, Vancouver

 

Opening Reception

Thursday April 11 6-9pm

https://capturephotofest.com/exhibitions/news-photographers-association-of-canadas-national-pictures-of-the-year-nominees/

 

Boundaries Exhibition & Silent Auction

Bohdan Lee, Flash Forward Incubator Program, 2019

April 2–6

Group Exhibit – Flash Forward Incubator Program

Roundhouse Community Arts Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver

Tuesday–Friday 9 am–10 pm, Saturday 9 am–3 pm

 

Silent Auction

Saturday April 6, 1–3 pm

https://capturephotofest.com/youth-program/boundaries/

 

In Transit: Reflections

Arts Umbrella Student, In Transit, 2019

April 6–15

Group Exhibit – Arts Umbrella Students

Remington Gallery, 108 East Hastings St, Vancouver

Saturday & Sunday 12–4 pm, Monday – Friday by appt. (604-218-2109)

 

Opening Reception

Saturday April 6, 5–8 pm

https://capturephotofest.com/youth-program/in-transit-reflections/

 

On Friendship: An Exhibition of Portraits by Children

Garnet Hertz, (Overhead shot of visitors and artists at a Back Alley Gallery Project exhibition and potluck in October 2018), 2018

April 27 (one night event)

Group Exhibit & Community Potluck

Back Alley Gallery Project, located in the alley behind 2448 E 8th Ave, Vancouver

Saturday April 27, 5–9 pm

https://capturephotofest.com/youth-program/on-friendship-an-exhibition-of-portraits-by-children/

 

Photography without Cameras: Lumen Printing Workshop

April 13, 2019 (one day event)

With Artist: Phyllis Schwartz

Vancouver Lipont Art Centre, 4211 Number 3 Road, Richmond
Sat. Apr 13, 11 am–3 pm

https://capturephotofest.com/events/photography-without-cameras-lumen-printing-workshop-with-phyllis-schwartz/

 

Disposable Camera Project IV

Pamela Rounis, DCP III, 2018, digital photograph

April 27 (one night event)

Participating Artists: Tom Hsu, Taby Cheng, Karilynn Ming Ho, Hyung-Min Yoon, Christian Nicolay, and Helen Shaw.

SAD Mag Pop-Up, 1050 E Hastings St, Vancouver

Sat. Apr 27, 8–11pm

https://capturephotofest.com/events/disposable-camera-project-iv/

 

where the hour floats

Amalie Atkins, Aprons, 2015, chromogenic print, 40”x50”, Courtesy of Amalie Atkins

On until April 21

Artist: Amalie Atkins

Art Gallery at Evergreen, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam

Wednesday – Saturday 12–5 pm, Sunday 12–4 pm, closed Monday & Tuesday

https://capturephotofest.com/exhibitions/where-the-hour-floats/

 

Finding My Father at Yongpyong

Taehoon Kim, Finding my father at Yongpyong #7, 2018, archival inkjet print, 12”x16”

On until April 29

Artist: Taehoon Kim

North Vancouver District Public Library, 1277 Lynn Valley Rd, North Vancouver

Monday – Friday 9 am–9 pm, Saturday 9 am–5 pm, Sunday 12–5 pm

 

Opening Reception

Thursday April 11, 6–8 pm

https://capturephotofest.com/exhibitions/finding-my-father-at-yongpyong/

 

LOOPDALOOP

Zoe Kirk-Gushowaty, part of LOOPDALOOP, 2019, 16mm film installation

April 4–28

Group Exhibit – Iris Film Collective

Participating Artists: Ariel Kirk-Gushowaty, Zoe Kirk-Gushowaty, Alex MacKenzie, Lisa G. Nielsen, Nisha Platzer, Sydney Southam, Amanda Thomson, and Ryder White

Burrard View Fieldhouse, 545 North Slocan St, Vancouver

Monday – Sunday 7–9 pm

 

Opening Reception

Thursday April 4, 7–9 pm

https://capturephotofest.com/exhibitions/loopdaloop/

 

The Strata of Many Truths

Roxanne Charles, Truth, 2011

April 5–25

Artist: Roxanne Charles

Museum of Vancouver, 1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver

Monday, Tuesday, Sunday 10 am–5 pm, Wednesday 10 am–5 pm, Thursday 10 am–8 pm, Friday & Saturday 10 am–9 pm

Museum admission: $9.75 (child)–$20.50 (adult)

 

Opening Reception

Friday April 5, 7–9 pm

 

Curatorial Panel Discussion

Saturday April 6, 1–3 pm

https://capturephotofest.com/exhibitions/there-is-truth-here/

 

Shadow Architecture

Michael Love, Architectural Study #8, 2018, inkjet print, 20”x30”

April 11–May 4

Artist: Michael Love

Franc Gallery, 1654 Franklin St, Vancouver

Saturday & Sunday 12–6 pm, Monday – Friday by appt (ron@francgallery.com)

 

Opening Reception

Thursday April 11, 6–9 pm

https://capturephotofest.com/exhibitions/shadow-architecture/

 

What It Is

Dan Jackson, It Isn’t It, 2018, archival pigment print, 36″x36″

April 12–14

Artist: Dan Jackson

Studio 730, 730 Richards St, Vancouver

Saturday & Sunday 10am–6pm

 

Opening Reception

Friday April 12, 7pm–midnight

https://capturephotofest.com/exhibitions/what-it-is/

 

HANDS ON–A Handcrafted Human Mosaic

Paolo Rubini, Game on (Phnom Phen, Cambodia), 2018, giclée photo metallic print, 14”x21”

April 12–May 5

Artist: Paolo Rubini

VIFF Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour St, Vancouver

Monday – Sunday from 6 pm (+ when films are on)

 

Opening Reception:

Friday April 12, 7:30–9:30 pm

https://capturephotofest.com/exhibitions/hands-on-a-handcrafted-human-mosaic/

 

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation Basketball

Alana Paterson, from the series Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation Basketball, 2018

April 13–May 12

Artist: Alana Paterson

The Polygon Gallery, 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver

Tuesday – Sunday 10 am–5 PM, closed Monday

Admission by donation

 

Opening Reception

Saturday April 13, 1 pm

https://capturephotofest.com/exhibitions/sḵwx̱wu7mesh-nation-basketball/

 

Green Glass Door

Theo Terry, Picture for Butchers, 2018, pigment print in custom frame

April 25–May 19

Participating Artists: Noah Friebel, Marisa Kriangwiwat Holmes, Theo Terry, Graeme Wahn

Trapp Projects, 274 E 1st Ave, Vancouver

Saturday 10–5 pm & by appt (info@trappeditions.com)

 

Opening Reception

Thursday April 25, 7–9 pm

https://capturephotofest.com/exhibitions/green-glass-door/

 

 

Which exhibit are you most excited to check out? Follow along on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes of the gallery images being printed by our Photolab, as well as get a sneak peek inside the gallery exhibits!

Fashion Editorial Photographer Farrah Aviva Showcases Her Capture Photography Festival Exhibit on London Drugs Photolab Prints

Vancouver-based actor and photographer Farrah Aviva is one of the latest talents to step into our photolab and work with our passionate team of Photolab Technicians. Farrah was chosen as a featured photographer as part of the Capture Photography Festival, and was given the opportunity to showcase her photography project The BANGBANG at the Opus Hotel in Vancouver, with prints provided by our London Drugs Photolab.

Playing off the work of Helmut Newton, Irving Penn, and David Bailey, Farrah’s work takes a fresh look at fashion editorial-style photography, using it to spark a discussion on contemporary sociopolitical culture. The BANGBANG is meant to re-examine sartorial images, which not only represent beauty, but also represent topics that engage and spark a greater conversation.

We caught up with Farrah in the photolab as she worked with Photolab Manager John Goldsmith to print her collection of 6 fashion editorial images for the Capture exhibit. All of her images were printed using our Epson P9000 large format printer, with high quality Epson inks that have an archival stability of 200 years.

“The printing process was the thing I was most nervous about. As a photographer in the digital world you don’t often get to see your work printed. Everything is on a computer screen,” Farrah explains. “I really didn’t know if the colours were going to translate the same onto paper and carry the same power, but the London Drugs Photolab Manager, John Goldsmith, was a dream to work with.  Everything turned out better than I could have hoped.”

After the prints had been given a good once-over by Farrah, they were packaged up and sent off with Farrah for framing. The framed prints were then installed on the walls of the OPUS Hotel, where they would be showcased for the duration of her Capture exhibit.

This was Farrah’s first photography exhibit and she was thrilled to have her prints on public display, after spending over a year working tirelessly on The BANGBANG.

“I had imagined it for months so when they were finally hung I was relieved and excited, but it really didn’t hit me until the next day. I went back to the Opus to drop something off and suddenly I was standing in a room full of my images.  It didn’t seem real.  I had to do the iconic eye rub to see if I was dreaming. A flood of pride surged in and the fantastic feeling of hard work paying off really set in.”

Farrah has been back to our photolab a number of times since we printed her exhibit, to order more prints to sell during her official exhibit launch and through her website. We’re over-the-moon, knowing that Farrah’s prints will be showcased in homes and offices all over North America!

You can order prints of your own photos, in gallery quality just like Farrah’s, by visiting our London Drugs Photolab.

London Drugs Photolab Prints the Best in Canadian Photojournalism for Capture Photography Festival Exhibit

We’re used to seeing photos accompanying online news articles and newspapers, but you may be surprised by the talent and skill that goes into capturing those incredibly candid moments. The annual National Pictures of the Year Awards, presented by the News Photographers Association of Canada (NPAC), celebrates the very best in Canadian photojournalism, and for the 4th year, our London Drugs Photolab has had the pleasure of printing their entire exhibit as part of the Capture Photography Festival.

To prepare all of the finalists’ images for the gallery exhibit, our Photolab Technicians worked one-on-one with NPAC’s coordinators Ric Ernst and Ali Ledgerwood. We were careful to take into account each photographer’s specifications, ensuring their colours printed exactly as they should. Using our state of the art Epson P9000 large format printer, we printed each of the photos in gallery quality, on our Epson Lustre paper. The quality Epson inks used in printing will ensure the prints have an archival stability of 200 years.

Ric and Ali visited the lab to see a test print of one of the composite multi-picture category finalists, and had the opportunity to watch the full process, from sizing and checking the image’s colouring on the computer, to seeing the image printed on the Epson P9000, to cutting and inspecting the final print. They also looked over each of the single prints for several other categories in the exhibit.

Left print: International Finalist Jim Young (Agence France-Presse) 2017 Picture Story. Right print: Social Issues Category Finalist Photo by Ben Nelms (Independent)

“I was overjoyed when I viewed the prints for our exhibition for the first time. I knew our featured photographers would truly appreciated seeing their original files accurately reproduced in both tone and colour and on such high quality paper,” said Ric.

Along with Ric, Ali has coordinated the printing of the National Pictures of the Year Awards exhibit with our Photolab for the past 3 years, working directly with Photolab Manager John Goldsmith. “Working with John at the London Drugs Photolab is always a pleasure. The professionalism and understanding of our needs, particularly for such a large project, keeps our minds at ease knowing that the work is going to be completed quickly, but without compromising quality,” she said.

After being framed and installed at the Pendulum Gallery in Vancouver, the National Pictures of the Year Awards exhibit was opened to the public. For the many photojournalists featured, it’s a special experience for them to see their work displayed in a gallery setting.

“Most of our photographers only see their work on computer screens or reproduced in newspapers and magazines so when they see them printed professionally, it’s an eye-popping experience for them,” Ric explains.

Fourteen categories of photojournalism are represented in the exhibit, including news, sports and social issues. Of the nominees featured, a winner in each category will be chosen, along with a 2017 Student Photographer of the Year, 2017 Student Multimedia of the Year, 2017 Photojournalist of the Year and a 2017 Photograph of the Year. Considering over 2,000 photographs along with 25 multimedia productions from across Canada were entered in this year’s competition, being selected as a National Pictures of the Year winner, and even as a nominee, is certainly an honour.

Left print: Sports Feature Category Finalist Photo by Tijana Martin (Lethbridge Herald). Right print: Social Issues Category Finalist Photo by Ben Nelms (Independent)

Photographer Ben Nelms was chosen as a Pictorial Category Finalist, for his photo of salmon trimmings. Taken at St. Jean’s Cannery in Nanaimo BC, the photo highlights the family-run operation which was founded by Armand St. Jean in 1961, but who recently sold a majority stake of the company to a group from Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nation.

Ben shared his appreciation for the quality work and effort that went into printing his photo for the gallery exhibit.

“Having your images shown in a gallery show is a great feeling for a photojournalist. Not only because it’s great to see the caliber of Canadian photojournalism but because the high quality prints draw an audience to them which ultimately brings a spotlight to the story you are trying to tell,” he explains. “It is always great to see your photos printed, especially when it’s professionally. As a news photographer, I am use to seeing my photos printed on lower quality paper so when I get a chance to see high quality prints it’s a real treat. The support from London Drugs is fantastic, their photolab is one of a kind and the professional products they produce is second to none.”

While the images for the National Pictures of the Year Awards exhibit were printed for professional photographers like Ben, our Photolab uses the same innovative photofinishing equipment to print gallery quality images to hang on your walls at home, too! Head over to the London Drugs Photolab to see our full selection of fine art print surfaces.

Q&A with Photolab Technician and Capture Photography Festival-Featured Photographer, Gabriel Martins

Photos by Kai Mallari

Ever wondered who prints your photos for you, after you submit your order to our Photolab? Especially if you’ve made an order like a fine art print, or a photo that’s particularly near and dear to your heart, you might be a bit nervous about who will be overseeing the printing, ensuring the sizing and colours are just right, and that the print comes out flawless.

Luckily, many of our Photolab Technicians are photographers themselves, which means they fully understand what it’s like to be in your shoes. Meet Gabriel Martins: a relatively new addition to the London Drugs Photolab team, and a local photographer in Vancouver. Gabriel has a passion for photofinishing and photography, and uses his experience as a photographer to ensure every print order he works on receives the same attention to detail as he would give his own work.

During the Capture Photography Festival this year, Gabriel was chosen by a panel of judges to be a featured photographer with not one, but two gallery exhibits in Vancouver. As part of this opportunity, Gabriel was provided space for his gallery exhibits, Rues de Montréal Part 1 & Part 2, and had his fine art work printed by the London Drugs Photolab. It was a unique and special experience for Gabriel, to be on the other side of the Photolab counter, as a photographer ordering prints for his gallery exhibits. To share a bit more about his experience, we sat down with Gabriel for a short Q&A:

Q: Tell us a little bit about your exhibit, Rues de Montréal.

A: Rues de Montréal portrays the streets of Montréal through 13 photographs taken during the summer of 2017, when the city celebrated its 375th anniversary. The images show the vibrancy of Montréal and question our use of public spaces and how people interact with them.

Q: What kind of print surface did you choose for your exhibit, and why?

A: All photos were printed and mounted on Metallic Canvas Gallery Wrap. I chose this media and finishing because it makes the colours pop out and creates more of a 3D effect.

Q: What was your first thought when you saw the final prints up on the gallery walls? How did the print surface look and feel?

A: I got tears in my eyes. It was the outcome of 7 months of hard work to make it happen. The texture of the canvas definitely made me feel almost like the photos were paintings.

Q: You had a particularly interesting print that’s caught the eye of gallery visitors. Tell us about it.

A: That’s the “Black Moon”. Before I went to Montréal, I knew about the revolutionary work of INSA, who’s a renowned British muralist, and his project called “GIF-TI”, which consists of photographing each layer the artist paints by hand. These images are then uploaded and overlaid to create the final piece, a looping GIF file. The viewers can download his app and point their smartphone camera towards his mural, which scans and recognizes the mural and plays the animation, bringing the piece to life. I wasn’t expecting that his app would work with my print and I got really stoked about it. The augmented reality effect is definitely an extra attraction in this exhibit.

Q: What was it like to be on the other side of the Photolab counter, as a London Drugs Photolab customer?

A: It was a great experience from the beginning to the end. All the Canvas Gallery Wraps were packed separately, which made the logistics easier and safer. Besides that, the colours, contrast, and sharpness turned out exactly how I was expecting.

Q: Do you find it important to build a trusting relationship with your Photolab Technician?

A: As a professional photographer, I believe that this relationship is extremely important because we put so much love and effort into the execution and post-production of all photos, so the printing and finishing processes have to be high caliber. The delivery is as important as the medium.

Q: Has this experience helped you with your own interactions and work as a London Drugs Photolab Technician?

A: Absolutely. When I’m printing, mounting, framing or doing anything else in the lab, I always treat the customers’ photos as if they were mine.

Gabriel (left) pictured here with his Photolab Manager, Bill Storey (right), who came out to support the opening of Gabriel’s exhibit

You can see Part 2 of Gabriel’s exhibit, Rue de Montréal, at Dunn’s Famous BC Restaurant in Vancouver from April 16th to June 16th. For more details on the exhibit, visit Capture Photography Festival.

National Pictures of the Year Award Nominations Printed at London Drugs: Exhibition Recognizes the Best in Canadian Photojournalism

 

London Drugs has been a proud supporter of the Capture Photography Festival in Vancouver since its inauguration in 2013. The festival features both local and international lens-based artistic talent through high-profile gallery exhibits throughout the city of Vancouver. For the second year in a row, London Drugs printed the festival’s entire National Pictures of the Year Awards exhibit, displayed at Vancouver’s Pendulum Gallery.

London Drugs Photolab Technicians worked closely with the News Photographers Association of Canada (NPAC) to print the exhibit, which features finalists for the largest photojournalism competition in Canada. Thirteen categories are represented, including news, sports and social issues.

Photo of Superhero window cleaners outside Kingston General Hospital by Lars Hagberg with The Canadian Press. Printed on Epson Professional Lustre paper by London Drugs Photolab Technicians.

London Drugs Photolab Technicians collaborated with NPAC and the 2016 National Pictures of the Year coordinator Ric Ernst to print each of the finalist’s photos in gallery quality, to each photographer’s specifications.

“This is our second year having the London Drugs Photolab print our exhibit for the Capture Photography Festival and once again the quality of our exhibition prints are superb. I have to admit, the first year I was somewhat skeptical about London Drugs printing our images but was blown away by the quality of work they produced for us. I had no doubts this year and was not disappointed,” says Ernst.

Among the photos printed by the London Drugs Photolab was an image of CrossFit athlete Lindsay Hilton, captured in her element by Canadian photographer Darren Calabrese, as part of a series he was working on for ESPN. The photo was selected as a Picture Story Feature finalist for the National Pictures of the Year Awards.

“The project with Lindsay Hilton began after I had seen a local story about one of her workout videos going viral. That story was a straightforward news item, but I was interested in learning more about her as a person rather than just an athlete,” explains Calabrese. “I shot the series over a span of five or six months. At first, I rarely shot any pictures. I would show up at the gym with just one body and a lens, but would just chat with her and the coach/gym owner. I would help with the weights sometimes and every once in a while I would jump in and try the same workout or exercise out of curiosity.”

Photo of CrossFit athlete Lindsay Hilton by Darren Calabrese. Printed on Epson Professional Lustre paper by London Drugs Photolab Technicians.

Ernst appreciates the trust that the photojournalists, including Calabrese, put in him and the London Drugs Photolab team to ensure the photos printed are as true to the original as possible. The goal is to maintain each personal art aesthetic which helps to convey the photo’s story.

“The most important part of printing our images is getting the tonal qualities and colour balance correct and as close to what the photographer achieved with the original file. The quality of the paper is important and the stock London Drugs Photolab used for our prints was premium,” says Ernst.

Ernst believes the Photolab Technicians’ own passion for photography is what makes working with London Drugs an exceptional experience. “They know what we expect and they speak the same language which makes it very easy to communicate our needs.”

Photo of Fort McMurray wildfires by Cole Burston with AFP. Printed on Epson Professional Lustre paper by London Drugs Photolab Technicians.

London Drugs Photolab Technician John Goldsmith, who worked with Ernst to print the exhibit, used London Drugs’ new Epson P-9000 printer for many of the finalists’ photos. Authentic Epson inks will provide a lifetime of enjoyment, with an archival stability of 200 years. These new printers can now be found in every London Drugs Photolab, and will be used to print customers’ photos in gallery-quality, whether it’s for an exhibit or to hang on their walls at home.

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