Family get-togethers, office lunches, holiday parties. This time of year brings out the grouping instinct and, with it, the compulsion to record the events on film. And, while camcorders are a popular way of re-living such gatherings, many of us still like the ease of handling, viewing and storing that comes with photos.
If you’re planning on capturing memories on film this year, you’ll want to get the most for your picture-developing dollar. Here are some suggestions about where and how.
Common choices include dropping off film for overnight processing at drug or photo stores, or those one-hour service stores. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses.
“There’s an increase in the popularity of one-hour developing services, but by allowing more time, you’re getting more control from a service that processes at least overnight,” says Kim Tonry, who manages a branch of Helix Camera and Video in Chicago.
One-hour photo developing has become more popular as prices have become competitive with next-day service options.
“People should expect to pay about $10 for a 24-exposure roll with one-hour service, as compared to maybe $2-$3 less for next-day service,” said Nat Wadehra, who manages Jet One-Hour Photo and Studio in Hoffman Estates. “One of the big differences to look for is the service and attention each picture receives.”
S. Bodell, manager of Wolf Camera and Video in Schaumburg, says photos should be brought to experts with access to photo labs in order to get the best results.
“We develop prints according to exposure, color, and density for each negative,” Bodell says. “When pictures are developed this way, it’s really more like custom printing. People will get better results than just some place where they run the pictures straight through a printer.”
The reds and greens of the Christmas season adversely affect flesh-tones in pictures, Wadehra says. However, he adds, the adjustments can be made by a competent photo lab. “Because so many pictures are shot indoors, we can also correct for some mistakes in lighting,” he says.
Wadehra says pictures should be available in matte, glossy, or lustre finish, regardless of where you take them, and, usually, at no extra charge.
Food and drug stores have offered photo developing for years. They’re convenient, but Tonry believes a dedicated photo shop is still a better option if the quality of the pictures really matters.
“The level of machine sophistication has become pretty comparable between drug stores and photo shops, but I still feel at photo places there’s likely to be more `human inspection’ of pictures,” Tonry said.
Another advantage to a photo-dedicated store is having professionals on hand who can coach customers before or after they take pictures.
“If pictures turn out poorly, we always have a professional photographer or two on hand who can analyze the prints and tell the customer what went wrong,” Tonry said.
For better pictures and extra savings, experts suggest these techniques:
– Start with good-quality film and pay attention to a few photographic techniques that will give your developer a better quality negative to work with. Remember to properly use the features incorporated in your camera. Experts say it’s surprising how many people forget to set the proper film speed or even use their flash.
– Try to avoid pointing the flash directly at your subject in order to avoid “red eyes” or spots on your pictures.
– Be aware of background conditions–what Bodell calls “background mistakes,” such as taking photos in front of a large picture window or against the light. Tonry says it’s always cheaper to have extra prints made when you bring in your roll. Ask for larger than the standard 3 1/2-by-5-inch prints if you want to see the whole negative.
– Watch for coupons published in newspapers, television guides etc. Some photo shops have clubs that offer free extra copies of prints if you’re a member. Wolf Camera, for example, offers this service for $12.95 a year. Tonry says Helix customers get a punch card and receive $5 off when it’s filled.
See if your local shop has a Web site. A number of photo shops have Internet sites from which coupons can be downloaded, printed, and used in their stores.
