Digital Darkroom Store Opens in Sydney

December 9, 2008: Foto Riesel Camera House in Sydney’s CBD has partnered with Canon Australia to launch a new specialist, custom printing centre that provides specialist advice plus a range of output options including high-end Canon large format inkjet printing.
Catering specifically for owners of high-quality, high-resolution cameras, the new store enables customers to experiment with a range of colour management tools, monitors, printers and various software options, with assistance and training from experienced Foto Riesel staff. Their images can then be printed at the highest quality possible and at any size, up to an impressive 1.1m x 12m. Customers will also have the opportunity to experiment with a range of Canon printers from entry level Selphy models to large format professional printers. Prints are made with top-quality Canon inks and a huge selection of papers is available for users to choose from, including canvas and fine art media.
Photographers considering equipment or materials for home digital darkroom set-ups can try them out in the Foto Riesel store prior to purchasing their equipment. As an additional service, the store will also offer training in digital output for consumers. Training opportunities will include one-on-one tuition for customers with specific training needs, through to small group workshops covering more general digital darkroom and output content. The store will also house a full range of solutions to allow customers to manage the full lifecycle of an image from capture to management to print.

A Foto Riesel printing specialist at work on one of the printing workstations.
To ensure professional-quality outcomes for all photographers, the new store will stock colour management tools, post-production software, graphic tablets and instructional books to assist consumers in establishing their own individual digital darkroom for fine art printing at home. It will also stock Hahnemuhle and Canon inkjet papers and sell Canon inks, offering delivery of inks within 24 hours of a phoned or online order.

Some examples of the types of prints that can be made in the store.
The store will also offer exclusive access to Art on Demand, a new kiosk-based service that allows customers to select an image from a bank of popular artworks (paintings and photography) and have a print made to order for their home or office. Customers can choose the size of the print and the media it will be printed on. All works have been digitised to the highest resolution and with full colour accuracy to provide realistic reproduction of the originals for a fraction of the price. Printed pictures will be scratch resistant and have display lives in excess of 80 years. Cost per print is calculated instantly and displayed on the kiosk screen so customers know exactly how much is being spent.

An example of the type of print that can be produced with the Art on Demand service.
To enhance the custom printing service, Foto Riesel will also offer off-premises framing services, and will stock a range of specialised artwork hanging systems. The new Foto Riesel store is located at 360 Kent Street Sydney. For more information, visit www.fotoriesel.com.