The Modern Market For Professional Photographic Services
With the move to digital cameras and mobile phone cameras as well as digital photo frames, it sometimes seems to the cursory eye that there is very little room left for photo lab services. After all, very few people are printing photos anymore. It seems doubtful that there is still a market, and this service has gone the way of the buggy whip industry. Apart from items like passport photos, there seems very little demand. Yet many professional photo services manage to survive, so there must be a requirement somewhere.
Surprisingly, in fact, there is indeed a burgeoning market for such services. In fact, perhaps more of a demand than ever before. But this does not come from the man in the street, but from other professionals in advertising and similar industries or perhaps a requirement for some fine art prints. Here there is still a huge requirement for professional work done on time to exceptionally high standards.
These industries require very high quality prints, sometimes in extremely large sizes, where the equipment is very expensive and it does not pay to acquire the necessary equipment and also have the bother of staffing. By having such work done by an outside service, the work can be done to excellent standards far more economically. Outsourcing makes perfect sense in this sort of scenario.
Another important function is to enhance photos. Photo-retouching used to be a very skilled and highly-paid occupation. Nowadays, this is done more easily, but still requires immense skill so that any alterations are not noticeable. Good software is an important factor here, together with skill and experience combined with a certain delicate artistic touch.
These services can also do a very professional job on albums, turning something which can be humdrum into a work of art. This is an area which might interest the ordinary person, as it is not always easy to produce an attractive result. One frequently sees rather lacklustre wedding albums, for instance, where it has been done by an amateur.
In short, a professional photo service mainly caters to a professional market, with the odd request from smaller clients. One thing is sure: no matter who hires their services, being professionals, they pride themselves on always producing the best work they can. Their reputations and livelihoods depend on it. And if you are interested and have the necessary ability, this could make a satisfying career.
Surprisingly, in fact, there is indeed a burgeoning market for such services. In fact, perhaps more of a demand than ever before. But this does not come from the man in the street, but from other professionals in advertising and similar industries or perhaps a requirement for some fine art prints. Here there is still a huge requirement for professional work done on time to exceptionally high standards.
These industries require very high quality prints, sometimes in extremely large sizes, where the equipment is very expensive and it does not pay to acquire the necessary equipment and also have the bother of staffing. By having such work done by an outside service, the work can be done to excellent standards far more economically. Outsourcing makes perfect sense in this sort of scenario.
Another important function is to enhance photos. Photo-retouching used to be a very skilled and highly-paid occupation. Nowadays, this is done more easily, but still requires immense skill so that any alterations are not noticeable. Good software is an important factor here, together with skill and experience combined with a certain delicate artistic touch.
These services can also do a very professional job on albums, turning something which can be humdrum into a work of art. This is an area which might interest the ordinary person, as it is not always easy to produce an attractive result. One frequently sees rather lacklustre wedding albums, for instance, where it has been done by an amateur.
In short, a professional photo service mainly caters to a professional market, with the odd request from smaller clients. One thing is sure: no matter who hires their services, being professionals, they pride themselves on always producing the best work they can. Their reputations and livelihoods depend on it. And if you are interested and have the necessary ability, this could make a satisfying career.
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