Welcome to the NEW PhotoPXL Studio and Classroom

Our new studio and classroom E-420 of the Stutz BuildingOur new studio and classroom E-420 of the Stutz Building

Welcome to our new studio and classroom. It’s been a hectic two months, as we had to make a move to a new location in the same building.  Our studio and gallery have been located in downtown Indianapolis in the Stutz Building for six years.  It’s a cool place with a lot of artists and small start-up companies.  The building has its own vibe and character.

Welcome To Our New Space Video

The Stutz Building used to be an old car factory that manufactured the Stutz automobile early in the 20th century.  It’s a huge building and was owned by Turner Woodward who bought and refurbished it, renting spaces to artists and small start-up companies.  He’s one of the nicest guys on the planet.  He is into car racing big time and is also a car collector.  Inside the building, there is a large number of antique and contemporary classic cars.  Also, Turner is an artist and has his studio in the complex too.

About a year ago, he decided it was time to sell the building.  The Stutz Building, being over 100 years old, was at that point where there had to be some major investments to keep it alive.  Without anyone in his family interested in taking over, he decided to sell the building.  It was sold to Somera Road, which has dedicated at least $80 million to turn the building into a downtown centerpiece.  You can read about the Stutz Building and its future HERE.

Rendering of the remodeled Stutz Building
Rendering of the remodeled Stutz Building
Rendering of the remodeled Stutz Building
Rendering of the remodeled Stutz Building
Rendering of the remodeled Stutz Building
Rendering of the remodeled Stutz Building
Rendering of the remodeled Stutz Building
Rendering of the remodeled Stutz Building

Around the middle of July, we received a letter telling us we had to be out of our current space by September 15th, as the whole C wing of the building was slated for phase one of the remodel.  The new owners plan to turn the first floor of this building into a destination spot.  They are building a huge car museum for Turner’s car collection. In addition, they are adding restaurants, bars, and retail to the first floor.  This will be similar to a recent downtown Indy rehab at the CocaCola Bottleworks factory.

The Bottle Works was written up by several magazines as a must-visit destination location.  The Stutz owners are headed in that same direction.

After being notified of having to move, Debra and I did a lot of soul-searching as to whether we wanted to stay there and continue what we were doing.  The new owners offered us a brand-new space in one section of the building that was recently remodeled.  We fell in love with the space, but we weren’t sure we wanted to do the gallery thing anymore.  The age of COVID-19 pretty much killed that business.

Our new space set up for classroom teaching
Our new space set up for classroom teaching

So, like a lot of times in my life, we decided to reinvent things.  We took the new space, got rid of lots of excess things, and designed the new space to be a teaching facility.  I wouldn’t do what I do with photoPXL and Rockhopper Workshops unless I liked to share my passion for photography.

Over the next 6 weeks, we made the move.  It’s a lot of work to do a move, especially when you are purging a lot of things that were accumulated over the years.  During this time we ordered the classroom tables, chairs, and other things needed to make the new space what we wanted. In the end, it all came together on time and on budget.

I have been watching the photography industry for a while and have been disappointed by so many photographers who forget that you really don’t have a photograph until you can hold it in your hands.  It’s the print in the end that counts.

We love printing and making sure the prints are as good as they can be
We love printing and making sure the prints are as good as they can be
These computer each drive a set of Epson and Canon printers using ImagePrint software
These computers each drive a set of Epson and Canon printers using ImagePrint software
We are always evaluating the images coming off the printers
We are always evaluating the images coming off the printers

Thus, we have transformed the new space into a teaching location to show photographers how to make fine art prints and that it isn’t as intimidating as many believe.  We have teamed up with Epson, Canon, Colorbyte Software, Hahnemuhle Paper, and others to help teach the art of printing in a workshop environment.

Our new space has four printers: two Canon printers and two Epson printers. We also have a computer to drive each pair.  We have purchased classroom tables and chairs that can be configured for different purposes, as well as a large teaching monitor and special software so that whatever is being presented can also be seen on individual laptops.

Printers Row
Printers Row

We have lighting from the north, and windows line one entire wall.  We have two 4×8 print inspection tables, large paper cutters, and plenty of room to lay out prints and evaluate them.

I am surprised how few photographers make prints.  In my workshops, I always ask attendees about whether they make prints, and 80% of them don’t.  Mainly because they don’t know where to start and get intimidated by the process. It amazes me that these photographers will spend small fortunes on top-notch camera gear, only to have their images tucked away on some hard drive or shared on social media.

Imageprint layout of multiple pages
Imageprint layout of multiple pages
Thumbnails of image files and the settings for layout
Thumbnails of image files and the settings for layout
Ready to print
Ready to print
Final results
Final results

We intend to change that and show attendees just how easy it can be when using the right printers and software.  We will have complete information about these workshops very soon.  The bottom line is that when you attend the workshop, you’ll be making prints while you are there.  You’ll know what works best for you.  You’ll learn what papers are right for you and how to get an image ready for printing. We even have a few out-of-the-classroom excursions planned.

We also intend to do other workshops focusing on post-processing, as well as creating photo projects and making a portfolio.

My works area
My works area

The Stutz will be ideal for this, especially after the remodel.  You will be able to go downstairs for lunch or coffee or just have some time to relax.  The class sizes will be small (no more than eight people).  That way, everyone gets to make prints and get personal attention. As we move forward, we hope to offer one of these workshops each month in addition to our other destination workshops.

We are excited to share this with you.  As always, if you are in Indianapolis, give us a call and come and visit.  While in Indy, you can also visit Roberts Camera, one of the best camera stores in the country.  We will be doing field trips during the printing workshops, and Roberts is on the list of places we will visit.

Relax and chat
Relax and chat

Please enjoy the video with this article and photos of what we are doing.  If you can’t tell, I’m excited about where we are headed, and I look forward to seeing those who attend the workshops at the Stutz go home with some fine prints.

If you have any questions or would like to be one of the first to be notified of these workshops, then drop us a message at kevin@photopxl.com.

Thank you for being part of the PXL family.  This is going to be a lot of fun.

My friend and PXL Auntor Rad Drew shot this pano when he visited last week
My friend and PXL Author Rad Drew shot this pano when he visited last week
A fun conversion from one of the shots
A fun conversion from one of the shots
Our classroom tables can be configured a few ways
Our classroom tables can be configured in a few ways
Our classroom tables can be configured in a few ways
Our classroom tables can be configured in a few ways
I am lucky I have my dog Maggie who just loves to come to work with me.
I am lucky I have my dog Maggie who just loves to come to work with me. She’s not the hardest worker, but is great at PR and customer relations

Kevin Raber
October 2021
Kevin Raber
Indianapolis, IN

Photography is my passion and has been for 50 plus years. My career in photography has allowed me to travel the world, meet some of the most interesting people on the planet and see things I could never have dreamed of. My goal is to share the passion of picture taking through photographs and teaching with as many people as I can, hoping it brings them as much joy and happiness as it has me. I do this through photoPXL.com, this site, as well as Rockhopper Workshops, and other projects, as well as teaching as Artist In Residence at the Indianapolis Art Center.

Article Type: News, Columns, Videos, MISC

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