Nonprofit hosts accessible digital photo processing and development laboratory in West Town

CHICAGO (CBS).- Chicago’s visual artists may already be familiar with the nonprofit organization LATITUDE Chicago.

This organization has a West Town digital photo processing, development and testing laboratory.

In March of this year, the organisation turned ten years old. To celebrate, they’re hosting a photography exhibition at the Chicago Art Department, curated by Associate Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Photography,  Asha Iman Veal. 

Veal said, “Participating in that role involves not only doing shows or exhibitions at home but also visiting other locations around the city,”

“I am a good student.” [Asha] Through the School of the Art Institute and Museum of Contemporary Photography connections. Latitude is a foundation with many photographic roots. Therefore, it makes sense to partner with a curator with photographic roots too,” Colleen Kehrm, executive director of LATITUDE Chicago.

Latitude helps students and hobbyists scan and print their work. By the ease with which their space is available and how readily accessible they are, Latitude Studio has established itself as a major hub for Chicago’s photographic scene

You can pay the annual membership fee and then sit down at the desk to use Adobe products. The scanners can be used to scan films or family documents. The scanners can also be used to scan film or family archives. We have other equipment, such as printers as well as artwork documentation. Donations are what give us the ability to see this space. “So a lot the technology comes out of local schools,” stated Keihm.

The technology featured in this article is expensive because it’s not possible to buy the parts. Keihm stated that by giving it away, and having someone with the knowledge to repair that technology, we have been able build these last ten years.”

Latitude community was the focus of the show’s anniversary. Veal states that she tried to capture the spirit of every person who makes Latitude a special haven for artists at all levels.

“Do you know people who have been playing the game for thirty years? Maybe five to ten years? They’re all part of the community, using the facilities. Guggenheim Award Winners. Veal said that there are people shooting for Vogue magazine alongside those who have just graduated from undergrad and grad schools, as well as people coming in to shoot the magazine.

I think that curatorial projects and exhibitions can be varied, but this project was about LATITUDE. It was therefore less about thematic shows and more about showing off the people in the community. “So it helps people understand LATITUDE, the community. It’s not one location. But it is the whole of their city. We can hopefully kind of achieve that through arrangement of works,” Veal said.

You can find someone starting out in your career and not seeing it as a profession, but more as a passion. This will lead to others who, quote-unquote are making it in the industry. And I think that’s a microcosm of what LATITUDE does we want to make sure the tools are accessible to anybody who’s interested in making images, not only photography but graphic design– really anything,” said Keihm.

You don’t need to be a professional photographer to come to our event. Keihm said that we are open to any questions.

I find it fascinating that artist’s careers can often be self-directed. It is not necessary to go to a place that has all of the resources. They have to be sought out. Veal said that LATITUDE offers that kind of space, not just in terms equipment but also as a community.

You can view the installation until December 8th at Chicago Art Department. For more information about their hours and other events in Chicago, you can also visit the Chicago Art Department’s website.