Three decades of Orkney life to be preserved

A unique photo archive charting three decades of Orkney life is to be preserved for posterity using the latest computer equipment.

The people, the wildlife and the landscapes of Orkney have been captured on film by Charles Tait since he set up as a photographer in 1977, along with pictures taken in many other areas of Scotland.

He estimates he has around 200,000 images in his photo library, an irreplaceable resource and the foundation for the business he runs from his studio in St Ola.

For years, slides would be posted to customers, ready to be copied and sent back to Orkney. But in the digital age, clients want high resolution images by e-mail - and they want them fast.

With funding support worth £4,100 from HIE Orkney, Charles is investing in the equipment he needs to make top quality copies of the original slides. These will be stored on computer, ready for instant dispatch to magazines and other publications worldwide.
 
HIE Orkney's senior development manager, Michael Reid, said: "Charles Tait operates in a very competitive market.

"A significant part of the business is generated outwith Orkney and this project will allow him to reach more customers at home and overseas.

"We also thought it was important to ensure the long term security of this important and comprehensive photo archive."

As well as a sophisticated scanner, Charles will use powerful computer based storage systems to preserve digital copies of the best pictures in his vast photographic archive.

"When slides are sent out, they inevitably come back dusty and sometimes damaged," he said.

"The scanner will allow me to return them to their original condition quickly and efficiently - ready for storage as digital images."

Charles has now switched entirely to digital photography and will also use the new equipment to add at least 5,000 new pictures a year to his collection.

"These days, when a client calls for an image, they want it right away," he added. "The system I'm investing in will allow instant retrieval and help me increase sales to customers in many parts of the world.

"The support from HIE Orkney has been absolutely crucial. It means I can invest in a really robust system that will ensure the long term security of the archive and help me build my business."

As well as this £16,400 project, Charles is developing a web-based photo library which will allow registered customers to download high resolution images at the click of a button.