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Finding a good imaging service is always critical to photographers and artists. I'm very particular about how a print renders what I capture in my camera. I want the colors and tonal qualities I captured in the image I shot with my camera to be reflected in the print. 

You might think that it's not too difficult a task, but my experiences have proven otherwise so that finding a good imaging lab is like striking gold.

Sometimes things start out great with a lab and then, through a change in staff or ownership, problems arise. Just when the imaging tech(s) become familiar with what I'm looking for, the lab downsizes or the tech(s) move on. Imaging techs moving on is to be expected. But when my print is overexposed, so that the vibrant colors in the image file are printed in pastels, or the print is too dark, making it difficult to determine what was actually shot in the first place, I question the longevity of our relationship. 

Front desk staff can also lend itself to the artist/lab relationship. Who I meet for the first time or for subsequent visits can make me want to continue working with the lab or not.

When I began looking for labs to print my work, I had come from the world of film, so I was not as familiar with digital terminology or processing as I thought I was. Unfortunately, there were labs that just didn't seem to have a couple of extra minutes to take the time to be sure they knew what I was asking. And when presented with a sample print for exposure and tonal qualities, they seemed to ignore the print I provided to eliminate their guess work because the end result was not even close to the sample. 

And I always felt rushed. Regardless of how few people were waiting to have work processed or printed, I always felt like I was taking up their time by dropping off my film/files.

Then one day, it all changed. Enter iolabs. 

There was no counter between me and the staff. When I walked in, I wasn't quite sure where to go, but I was quickly greeted by one of the techs. Yes, one of the imaging techs! Unheard of! The tech then escorted me to their computer or imaging station! Unbelievable! I was simply astounded! 

I presented my slides and explained what I wanted to do, which at the time was to digitize them so I could have prints made at a later date. When I received the files, they had been color corrected and dust removed. Yet another surprise.  And when I returned to have prints made, I was, once again greeted by an imaging tech who then escorted me to their station where small tweaks and adjustments were made to the image according to my specifications. Again, I was astounded! Never before had I been welcomed into the "inner sanctum" of the imaging lab, yet at iolabs, this was par for the course. 

And the prints are exquisite. 

I cannot say enough about iolabs. In my eyes, they put every other lab to shame with their white glove service and inimitable print or mounting quality. Needless to say, I am hard pressed to find another lab that offers me the service of iolabs. I am a patron for life.