Tony from Napier called me about a photo on a canvas he’d had printed and mounted by another New Zealand firm. He said the canvas print looked flat and dull, with the supplier’s instructions not to touch it or get it wet in any way. From his description it sounded like it hadn’t had any protective coating applied.

The canvas print coating is designed to protect, preserve and enhance the art work or photographic print. Tony agreed with my assessment and sent the framed print up to me. Sure enough the print was in an untouched state. Any small nick would leave a scratch on it! I can’t believe someone would send off a print in this condition. I carefully coated the canvas print with Breathing Color Glamour II, making sure there were no runs down the sides and the coating was spread evenly.

Once dried, the printed had better colour contrast, the shadows looked deeper, the overall picture looking more vibrant.

I couriered the print back to Tony. Tony’s response was: ” Hi Neal, You are right, it is a lot better. Very pleased with the result. You have become the preferred supplier! You can expect a bit of work from down this way.

Regards

Tony

Margie and Steve, from Hamilton, NZ, sent me this wedding photo to put onto canvas. I suggested the background be lightened a small amount to bring out more detail. With their agreement I made the appropriate photo alterations and created an A2 size canvas gallery wrapped print.

Margie emailed me back with this nice feedback : “Thank you very much for the fantastic canvas. It more than met our expectations. We will be getting two more done for our parents in the next few months.”

Axelle visited me with a couple photos to prints. She will be putting them into an exhibition beginning June 6th. This photo was taken in a large field, in France, where Axelle used to live. It was slightly enhanced to give a more dramatic effect and printed with a Sepia tone. What the small print doesn’t show is the scarecrow in the distance, adding more to the mood. Two photos were printed 65cm wide using my Enhanced Matt paper. Axelle’s exhibition is at the Hanger Gallery, 402 Kamo Rd, Whangarei and runs from 6th June to 6th July. If you have an interest in more of Axelle’s work she can be contacted by email

I have now changed over to using Breathing Color Chromata Brilliance canvas. This is a Polycotton blended matt canvas giving a consistent print finish from roll to roll. I had previously used a 100% cotton canvas. A very good canvas to use, but from time to time there would be little imperfections or ‘bumps’ in the canvas.

This is usual for this type of canvas and on most prints is never an issue. However, when you have a blemish on a wedding photo and it’s on the bride’s nose it doesn’t look good! Hence I’d make another print - this adds up in cost. Therefore I went to the new canvas to avoid this issue. Combined with Breathing Color’s Glamour II coating I can still produce matt or satin finishes. Even though the new canvas costs more I feel it is worth the extra money. Printing prices will remain the same.

The last two weeks have been very busy with all my regular professional clients ordering canvas prints for their own customers, along with internet and local orders. Due to privacy issues I haven’t shown any of their work. Interesting to note that most sizes are based on the international A standard ie A4, A3, A2, A1. A3 and A2 are the most common but the A1 size orders are becoming more regular. Saying that, I can do any custom size up to a width of 950mm by metres long to fit the picture you want. Let the orders keep flowing in.

More hockey photos taken at Whangarei over the weekend. Here the young player is being warned for making noises about questioning the umpire’s decision. The game was the senior men - Mangapai vs Springfield, Mangapai winning 4-1. More photos can be viewed at my photo hosting site.

Dave from DTPhotographics approached me to print his larger photos and do his canvas printing. Dave is a freelance photographer based in Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand. Dave takes wedding, portrait, glamour, wildlife and scenery photos. His website can be located at DTPhotographics

Another season of hockey is underway. I try and shoot photos of various team grades at least once a week at the Northland Hockey Association turf grounds. Here is a shot from last week’s game. More photos can be found by following this link to my photo hosting site.

Ross came to me with two photos of past members of the Kaitaia volunteer fire brigade, Northland, New Zealand. The photos had a few marks and scratches but were otherwise in good condition. Minor repairs were made then the photos enlarged to 11 x 14 inch size. The top photo was taken in 1947, the bottom one in 1957.