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There are those who would argue that digital has threatened the art of photography. The transition from viewfinders to LCD displays has ushered in poor technique. And by eliminating film and processing costs, we’re free to take as many snapshots as our memory card will hold. So gone are the days of careful scene composition.

But anyone mindful of these pitfalls has benefited immensely from photography’s move to digital. Photo editing software has become so accessible that any photo enthusiast, with a bit of practice, can produce quality that was once reserved only for the pros.

So it’s easy to create great photos… the challenge then becomes getting those digital files onto paper for enjoying in the physical world. And for printing photos, nothing beats printing on traditional photo paper.

For snapshots that only require 4×6 prints, it’s simple to get them printed at Wal-Mart, or Costco or your local grocery store.

But when printing enlargements, things can get a little trickier. Most places will print 8×10 or  12×18, but you’re not guaranteed accurate colour reproduction (since many “consumer” photo labs automatically correct colour), and for anything larger, you’re out of luck.

If you’ve gone through the trouble of editing your photos, getting the colours and exposure just right, odds are you want your print to match. That usually means turning to a professional photo lab. But “professional” anything usually carries a hefty price tag.

So when I was in the market for printing a 15×30 photo, I did a fair bit of research to find an affordable option. I had put a lot time and effort into editing this photo, so I definitely wanted it printed perfectly.

In my research, I found Provisia in Montreal. Their price list seems almost hard to believe, and they’ll print enlargements up to 24×100 while you wait! Or, upload your digital files via their website, and just pick up your prints the next day.

For those wanting perfect colour accuracy, they provide proofing profiles for download on their website.

Thanks to Provisia, I was able to print my 15×30 photo (as well as a handful of 11×14 photos) without breaking the bank. Both the prints and their service were amazing. Definitely worth a visit of you’re a photo enthusiast in Montreal.

(Tip: Enlargements in inexpensive frames make great one-of-a-kind gifts!)