The management and staff of 1 Hour Photo in the digital mini-lab

In an effort to keep abreast of the changes being brought about by the digital evolution, almost 25 years after launching the conventional 1 Hour Photo business, Mr Daniel Kim Koon is now entering the realms of digital prints.

Based at Kingsgate House, the well-known businessman has invested in a digital mini-lab of the latest Fuji Frontier 355 model, a first in Seychelles. In addition to developing the conventional negative films, I Hour Photo is now equipped to develop prints from digital cameras or other digital media. The mini-lab can develop negative films of 135mm, 110mm and 120mm, but produces prints of higher quality than the conventional one hour lab.

Previously people using digital cameras could only access their photos by downloading them on a computer to make what Mr Kim Koon said are poor-quality copies using a printer, or by taking their cards overseas to have their photos printed.  But with the new technology, Mr Kim Koon said they can now in just a few minutes get hold of the hard copies of their photos. Once the cards have been downloaded clients have the option to either enlarge their photos, edit them or add any message they want with their prints.

"This will save the country foreign exchange and also attract more businesses especially from tourists as they too can now make use of this service," Mr Kim Koon noted.

"Clients can get standard prints or beautiful blow ups," Mr Kim Koon said, adding that they also have the choice to make colour, black and white, and sepia pictures or even correct defects on old photos.

With the mini lab, he said they can download and develop all kinds of cards such as flash-cards, SD cards and Sony sticks as well as prints stored on CDs or diskettes.

In addition to that, the mini-lab is able to develop films of Advanced Photo System (APS) and make prints directly from slides, another first for the company. It is also equipped with templates to produce calendars and greeting cards.

The mini-lab, Mr Kim Koon said, is user-friendly as the chemical used does not get in contact with the hands.

1 Hour Photo, he pointed out, has invested in a state-of-the-art digital lab which with its advanced laser exposure system, revolutionary high-performance scanner and advanced image enhancement, represents a breakthrough in digital technologies.

Even though the business bears the name 1 Hour Photo, Mr Kim Koon said with the new technology it takes only about twenty minutes to develop and print the photos.

Clients will be charged R4 per photo and the new service will also carry a minimum processing fee of R25. 

The business is open Monday to Friday from 8.00 a.m to 4.30 p.m.

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