Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of service is offered by your department? Who can use these services? How expensive is it to use your services? Your fees are so low, are your services any good? How do I contact you for services? Once the work is done how do I pay for it? I have a job that requires some special material to complete can you still do the job? I need a photographer off campus can you do this? I have film that I shot myself, can you process it for me? I need some photos for a brochure but I can't afford to hire a photographer. What can I do? I am looking for photos from the 40s and 50s. Do you keep these? I need some digital image files for a project I am working on. How can you help? What kind of digital files do I need? I have digital images from which I need prints, can you do this? Can I purchase film from you? Can I borrow equipment from you? Can my students use your lab facilities to work on a class project? I'm getting married next month can you do my wedding?

 

This department of CIDDE provides an extensive range of services in both conventional and digital photography including location and studio work as well as formal and candid portraiture. We also offer a full range of darkroom services including black&white and color film processing, copy work and custom enlarging.
Electronic imaging services include the production of presentation slides, custom scanning and the creation of discs in the versatile photo CD (pcd) format. We also produce hard copy of digital image files in high quality ink jet media. For a more complete overview of services please visit our home page.

Any faculty member or staff member can request services from us for work related to the various missions of the university. We can also provide services to select clients outside the university and for services that may not be available in the commercial market

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• How expensive is it to use your services?

The services available from this department cost a fraction of similar services in the commercial sector. Location photography for example is only $30 per hour. For a price list please refer to our homepage.

• Your fees are so low, are your services any good?

The staff of Photography and Electronic Imaging are dedicated professionals using the latest equipment and techniques to solve your visual communications problems. It is the mission of the department to serve the university, not turn a profit. We recover our costs and the savings are passed on to the consumer.

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You can reach us at (412) 648-9870 for general inquires or to speak to one of the staff. If you wish to book a photographer please call (412) 648-7220. You can fax us at (412) 648- 2122 or by email at addresses associated with specific staff members. If email is used please keep in mind that your mail may not always be opened in the desired time frame. If it is important, please phone.

• Once the work is done how do I pay for it?

We can accept payment by University IDC account number cash and check. If you wish you may also establish an account with us and we will bill you directly . Any charges associated with other than IDC payment may be liable to a seven percent state sales tax. With work that is to be paid for by cash or check payment is expected at time of delivery.

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• I have a job that requires some special material to complete can you still do the job?

We will attempt to obtain any special or unusual supplies or props necessary to do your job. If these items have no other use for this department the cost of the items will be added to your bill. Any unused portion of the material will be returned to you or stored in our facilities for your future use.

• I need a photographer off campus can you do this?

Our staff regularly leaves the Oakland campus for assignments. We will go to any location you request.

• I have film that I shot myself, can you process it for me?

We offer a full range of lab services for black and white color prints and color slides. All of these services are available to you.

• I need some photos for a brochure but I can't afford to hire a photographer. What can I do?

We maintain a collection of contemporary stock images of Pitt and Pitt activities as well as general purpose images that may fit your needs. These images are available to you for very modest fees. There is also a collection of photography of Pitt that dates to 1989 that you may choose from. Please call us at 648-9870 to arrange to view these collections.

• I am looking for photos from the 40s and 50s. Do you keep these?

Our collection dates back only to 1989-90. There are extensive archives of vintage photographs of the University as well as a wide variety of other subject matter available in the University Archives. You can make inquiries by calling 412-244-7075.

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• I need some digital image files for a project I am working on. How can you help?

Photography & Electronic Imaging can help you with any of your digital needs.  We can create original digital images to your specifications using top line digital cameras. We can create digital files from our extensive collection of stock images or we can convert your conventional images to digital files.

• What kind of digital files do I need?

There are a wide variety of digital files available as we as an equally wide variety of resolutions. What kind if file and resolution you need will vary according to the type of job you are working on. For example an image for web page use may require only a 2x3 inch size at a resolution of 72 pixels per inch while the same image going into a glossy brochure may require a 5x7 at 300 pixels per inch. Please call us; we will be happy to advise you on your needs.

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• I have digital images from which I need prints, can you do this?

We can provide you with high quality hardcopy of your digital files in almost any size you need, from "wallet size" to poster prints.

• Can I purchase film from you?

As a general rule, no. However we will try to help those in desperate need of a roll of film. Remember though that with the ascendance of digital photography the stock of film we keep on hand grows smaller and smaller.

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• Can I borrow equipment from you?

No. The Media Services department of CIDDE has digital camera equipment available for loan. You can contact the department manager by phoning (412) 648- 7236. If this equipment does not meet your needs we will be happy to refer you to some of the many rental businesses locally and nationally that can help you.

• Can my students use your lab facilities to work on a class project?

• I'm getting married next month can you do my wedding?

The clientele of Photo Services is, with some exceptions, limited to people within the university community for official university business, so unfortunately we cannot accommodate requests of this type. Exceptions to this policy are made for those services we may provide that are not available commercially and for some services to community non profit organizations .