I have been very busy, what with my mom asking away in the Netherlands, so I had to send five weeks there to wrap up her affairs.

I did get to spend a weekend in Poland. This photo was in Krakow, a charming medieval city.

As you see, I rarely have time to post on the blog – but the existing content is still very useful. I suggest you use the SEARCH function and read up on the subjects that interest you.

This picture is from yesterday: standard lighting (key light, fill light, rim/hair light, and background light). Done in the Ottawa studio (https://www.michaelwillemsphoto.com)!

Everyone has old photos. And these are important photos, because they often involve family.

Good news: these photos can now be professionally restored to their old glory. Whether your photo has faded, or is cracked, or is full of imperfections, or is unsharp, or whatever other deficiencies it may have: we can do a great job of restoring them.

And unlike some, we don’t just “throw them into an app”. We are editing experts, and we have a wide range of different applications and expertise, and we use whatever is necessary to give you the best result for your particular photo.

Furthermore, we can scan your photos professionally, in house so there is no risk, often while you wait; and we also produce top quality prints for you.

Here’s an example:

The finished photo (left) started as a few pieces of torn and discoloured photo (right). Need I say more?

So if you have old photos, contact me or come to the store, and we’ll help.

We have a studio here at Michael Willems Photo that is nice and high – but it has a nine foot wide backdrop. I would not mind a wider backdrop, but they do not exist.

So we shoot a large group like this:

And then what?

Simple – photoshop allows us to quickly and efficiently fill the background. Content aware fill was good; generative fill is even better.

To do this well, ensure that the entire group (including the bench) is in front of the backdrop. And to achieve that, shoot from as far back as you can. The further back, the wider the backdrop appears to get.

Come to our Ottawa studio any time to see for yourself.

In our never ending endeavour to provide the services a community needs, we do more than just portraits and photo printing, at the studio. In particular, I mean services like:

• Media conversions. If you have old VHS cassettes, or smaller video, or Super8 film, or most other media formats, even reel to reel audio tape, we can convert it for you and put it on a USB key or similar.
• 3D Printing. A new service: come to us with an .STL file, and we’ll quickly and efficiently make your 3D print.
• Photo restoration: we fix your old photos, however damaged they are.
• 35mm film developing: of course we take care of that for you (including disposable cameras).
• Frames: we carry great quality frames at all common sizes, such as 5×7, 8×10, 8×12, 11×14, 12×18, and 16×20.
• Help with photography-related issues, like Lightroom help.

This and much more at the store at Place d’Orléans Shopping Centre – come meet me if you want to discuss.

Michael

A word about our in-house PREMIUM PRINTS at Michael Willems Photo.

First of all, they are “Giclée” prints. Giclée is a French term meaning “to spray”, referring to how an inkjet printer works and how giclee prints are usually produced. These large format inkjet printers use small spraying devices that can both match color and apply ink very precisely.

A Giclée print is a print that:

 1: Is high resolution (300 dpi or more)

 2: Uses pigment-based inks, not the more usual (and cheaper) dye-based inks. Pigment-based inks give excellent colour rendition, and pigments do not fade the way dyes do.

 3: Is always made on Professional Photo Paper.

 4: Is made by a larger model printer, that uses ten or more different colours (as opposed to the kind of printer you might have at home, which uses far fewer colour cartridges). This ensure excellent colour accuracy.

To call a print a Giclée print you must meet all four requirements above. Our PREMIUM PRINTS are Giclée prints.

But more than that, the price also includes our personal involvement. We make sure your work meets the right quality requirements; we crop if necessary; we adjust where adjustments are needed; we advise on other edits we think will make your print even better – so that you can enjoy it for many years to come as a beautiful work of art.

From 24 April to 14 May, we are doing a $14.95 portrait special at Place d’Orléans:

This will be a separate setup in the mall. So we needed to set up

• Backdrop with backdrop stands
• Light stands with umbrellas
• Studio Flashes
• Radio triggers
• Camera on Tripod
• Laptop
• 4×6 photo printer
• Payment mechanism
• Order forms
• Envelopes
• Batteries, chargers, cables, power cables, and more.

There’s a lot of work involved in such a setup – and we have to take it down every evening if we want to be sure nothing is stolen.

Back to setting up!

The advent of the digital age has transformed the way we take, store and share photographs. With social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook becoming increasingly popular, people now primarily click pictures on their smartphones and upload them online for the world to see. In such an era, the relevance of a brick-and-mortar photography shop might seem limited at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, it is clear that such shops still hold tremendous value in the digital age.

To begin with, brick-and-mortar photography shops offer a physical space where photographers can go to get their work printed and framed in high quality. While digital platforms allow for easy sharing of images and viewing them on screens, there is still something irreplaceable about holding a high-quality print in one’s hands. The physicality of a print allows us to appreciate details that may not be visible on screen, and the texture of the paper adds to the overall experience of looking at a photograph.

Training

Moreover, photography shops have evolved beyond simple photo printing services. Many shops now offer classes and workshops for people interested in learning about photography, regardless of their skill level. These classes can be invaluable for individuals who are looking to improve their photography skills, learn about different techniques and styles, or simply looking to meet like-minded individuals who share their love of photography.

Guidance

Another significant advantage of brick-and-mortar photography shops is the availability of professional guidance and advice. When someone has questions about their camera, lens or any other photography-related equipment, they can visit a store and speak with knowledgeable staff who can offer advice and recommendations. Similarly, when someone is looking to purchase new equipment, visiting a store allows them to try out different options and make an informed decision based on their needs and preferences.

Community

Finally, brick-and-mortar photography shops offer a sense of community and belonging that is hard to replicate online. Photography is, in many ways, a solitary pursuit, and it can be difficult to connect with other photographers on a personal level through digital platforms. Visiting a photography shop provides an opportunity to meet other photographers, share experiences and ideas, and forge meaningful connections with like-minded individuals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the digital age has undoubtedly transformed the way we consume photography, brick-and-mortar photography shops remain relevant and valuable. They offer a physical space to print and frame images, provide opportunities for learning and growth, offer professional guidance and advice, and foster a sense of community and belonging. As such, these shops will continue to play a crucial role in the world of photography for years to come.

And now the kicker: this piece was not written by me, but by ChatGPT. Literally, an AI manages to write a piece that gets it right and that summarizes the state of the industry perfectly. Welcome to the future!