[BCMA] Question re: large scale photos/murals

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Hi Clare;

Sorry I'm responding late to this posting. If you haven't yet secured  
a source, these thoughts may be worth considering. I'm not familiar  
with what service providers you have on the island, so i'll keep my  
comments fairly generic.

Based on your description of product need, I would guess that any one  
(reprographic house, photo finisher, sign shop, instant printer,  
display/exhibit firm, basement hobbyist, etc.) with a large format  
printer (24" or wider roll fed) would do. However, installation may  
be a bit of a stretch for some.

Some of the other issues to consider are (not necessarily in order of  
priority):

Print size:
You can "tile" the final but a one-piece print would be preferable.  
Most printers can handle 36" wide, some can handle 54" wide, and a  
few can handle wider.

Imaging printer / inks:
What is the longevity, colour fidelity, dynamic range, environmental  
sustainability requirements of the print? There are many different  
types of equipment and inks. Not surprisingly, the more the more  
demanding the requirements, the more it's gonna cost.

Imaging substrate:
The choices include paper (archival or non-archival), canvass (or  
other fabric), vinyl (solid, perforated, translucent), rigid (wood,  
metal, plastic, etc.). There are many intriguing effects that can be  
achieved, particularly in combination with lighting. Your specified  
requirement for swapping in and out can probably be accommodated by  
many of the above choices and might be more determined by your  
support/framing system.

Image enhancement:
All too often historic photos are digitally scanned and reproduced  
from less than perfect prints (or even negatives) without any regard  
for drawing out as much information from the image as possible. Quite  
often the scanning may not have been done professionally, resulting  
in muddy looking or over-contrasty images without details in the  
highlight, midtone, or shadow areas. Without compromising its  
historical integrity many images would benefit from some degree of  
enhancement. Not all service providers are competent in providing  
this service.

Level of service:
Some service providers will be accustomed to meeting the specialized  
needs of museums and art galleries, others may be more focussed  
commercial quick turnaround times.

Theses are some of the considerations that come to mind (particularly  
if you are looking for a Sharpe image ;-)) . Good luck.

Chris

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chris Au
Burnaby, BC
Canada V5G 3R7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
T: 604 438 8180
C: 604 961 3472
F: 604 438 8180

On Sep 26, 2009, at 5:20 PM, Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv. wrote:

> We used "Signs of the Times" for our large photo backgrounds and  
> are very happy with the product.
>
> Signs Of The Times
> Contact :(250) 383-8380
> Fax (250) 383-8345
> Address : 614 Garbally Rd   Victoria, BC , V8T2K2
>
> Arvon Brunt
> Nanaimo Museum
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bcma-bounces at lists.vvv.com [mailto:bcma- 
> bounces at lists.vvv.com] On Behalf Of Moderated BCMA subscriber  
> listserv.
> Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 8:05 AM
> To: bcma at lists.vvv.com
> Subject: [BCMA] Question re: large scale photos/murals
>
> Greetings -
>
> I am looking at reproducing photos on a large scale in order to  
> provide a visual backdrop for a display we're doing.
> I would like to know of any companies that do this kind of work,  
> including installation of the photographic panels. Would prefer  
> something that can adhere to a backing board so the photo/images  
> can be swapped in and out if necessary.
>
> Thank you
>
> Clare Sharpe
> Administrative Assistant/Webmaster/Volunteer Coordinator |Assistant  
> Administratif/Webmaster/Coordonnateur Volontaire
> CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum | Musée naval et militaire,  
> Base des Forces canadiennes Esquimalt
> Victoria, BC V9A 7N2
> Clare.Sharpe at forces.gc.ca
> Telephone | Téléphone 250-363-4312/ Facsimile | Télécopieur  
> 250-363-4252
> www.navalandmilitarymuseum.org
>
>
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