Digital imaging in the vicinity

The earliest surviving photographic negative was produced in the 1820s. It required an eight-hour exposure to capture the image of a courtyard. Since then, the entire photographic reproduction process has changed considerably.

The technology available today will allow any kind of image to be processed, enhanced or retouched and reproduced almost immediately.

Image Digital Photo Services and Kodak have formed a partnership and launched the first Kodak pro-Foto centre in the Middle East, offering a variety of services. This facility offers professional photographers, communications companies and amateurs access to some of the most advanced digital image processing technologies available today.

The walk-in centre is the brainchild and dream of Ollivier Pringalle, a well-known photographer of Dubai. "We have brought new access to an incredible range of digital image processing and output capabilities. From simple colour lab operations through to creating totally new types of images on a huge range of media," says Pringalle.

Any kind of image can be processed and enhanced, whether it originated as a 35mm camera film, digital pictures on CD or even as an e-mail.

Output formats are available for the Internet, diskette, CD-ROM or in printed format. Images can be printed on paper, plastic, transparent 'back-lit' advertising media or self-adhesive papers and films. Lamination capabilities are also available.

Apart from image processing and printing facilities, customers can modify images to their own liking. An 'open access' workstation with the latest digital manipulation imaging software is available for this purpose.

"We want clients to feel relaxed and comfortable, and give them access and control over the images they have created," says Pringalle.

The centre also offers an image library management service, where clients' images are stored and indexed in a film-safe environment for later use. Images can be retrieved on demand.

Image Digital Photo Services is located behind the Dnata centre in Deira and can be contacted on 04-2688771.