[BCMA] Question re: large scale photos/murals

Tue Oct 6 08:20:25 PDT 2009

Thank you so much for the information, Chris, and the many good points you raise. I will keep all of this in mind when I go shopping for this requirement.

Regards,

Clare Sharpe 
Base Museum 
363-4312 

________________________________

From: bcma-bounces at lists.vvv.com [mailto:bcma-bounces at lists.vvv.com] On Behalf Of Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.
Sent: Sunday, 4, October, 2009 18:45 PM
To: bcma at lists.vvv.com
Subject: Re: [BCMA] Question re: large scale photos/murals

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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