Digital development for Skye photo centre

Skye and Lochalsh photography has undergone a digital revolution with the Skye Photo Centre (SPC) installing a digital photo lab.

Iain Smith has run the SPC since 1996 and has steadily built the business, currently employing three full time equivalent staff.  The main services offered by SPC are colour film processing; copying; enlargements; reprints and APS developing - they have now added digital photograph printing to this list. 

The 'digital revolution' in photography is changing the way customers view and use photography. 

Iain Smith said: "People now have the option to print photos at home via the PC, potentially damaging the industry, however, printing digital images at home can be very expensive, of poor quality and can be very time consuming.

"It's estimated that printing at home can cost up to five times more than professional printers so our new digital minilab and processor will provide people in the Skye and Lochalsh area with a viable alternative to printing at home."

SPC have bought the new digital minilab and photo processor with assistance of £15,200 from Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise (SALE).  This investment in the business has helped to retain the previous staffing levels as well as increasing a part time position to full time hours.

David Pringle, a development manager with SALE, said: "In the past the nearest outlet for digital services was based in Inverness so having this full, quality service in the Skye and Lochalsh area will be off great benefit to locals aswell as having substantial benefits for the tourist industry."

The new equipment also retains the ability to process traditional film so those without digital cameras need not worry; SPC will still be able to process their films.

For further information about the services at SPC, telephone: 01478 613787.