How big can I print?

This is one of the most common questions we get and the answer differs every time.

There are a few factors at play:

• the megapixels of your camera
• the quality of the pixels & photograph itself (is it in focus, good exposure, etc.)
• what is the viewing distance of the finished print ( if the print is going to be seen from a farther distance you can get away with a lower dpi when printing)

Printing is finding the perfect combination of all these factors. Each photograph is different and we are more than happy to review this information with you at the office!

We are going to FILTER!

What is Filter Photo Festival?

“Filter Photo is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Chicago, Illinois.

Filter Photo’s mission is two-fold: first, to serve and support the photographic communities of Chicago and the Midwest; and second, to highlight Chicago as a vital center of the national photographic community.

Since 2009 Filter Photo has organized the annual Filter Photo Festival, a multi-day celebration of photography that includes workshops, lectures, exhibition receptions, artist talks, and other diverse programming. A primary component of the Festival is the portfolio reviews, through which photographers are able to connect with national and international curators, gallery directors, editors, and other elite professionals.”.

How do I apply to Filter?

You can register here. Sign up for 5 or 8 portfolio reviews and/or workshops. Reviewers included Paul Tagnorelli of the Griffin Museum of Photography and Kat Keirnan of Don’t Take Pictures. Workshops are presented by artists such as Keith Carter, Brandon Thibodeaux, Karen Irvine, April Wilkins, and S. Gayle Stevens. Also, artist talks by Alice Q. Hargrave, Patty Carroll,Leonard Suryajaya, Ross Sawyers, exhibition receptions, and much more. Some of the workshops have already sold out so make sure to get your spot!  Joel-Peter Witkin is this years keynote speaker and he will be giving a lecture on Thursday September 22.

What to expect from us at Filter?

This is our first time at Filter and we are very excited! This means a lot to our small business and we can't wait to meet the artists, speakers and the Filter Team in person. You will get a chance to meet our talented staff members Elizabeth Ellenwood and Nick Schietromo.  They are thrilled to visit Chicago and share Panopticon’s photographic printing practices and knowledge.

We will be including details on how to prep for a portfolio review within the next few weeks so stay tuned!