About Our Name
Our name, Picture Element, came from the full name of the acronym "pixel" ...

<graphics> (picture element) Usually abbreviated to pixel. The smallest discrete component of an image or picture [syn: pixel]

At Picture Element we are dedicated to the perfection of every pixel!

Picture Element is located in Santa Clara, California – 35 miles South of San Francisco in Silicon Valley

Our Goals
1. Utilize our expertise and color experience.
2. Provide our services utilizing the best equipment and media available.
3. Provide the finest quality and most accurate digital captures, prints and reproductions anywhere.
4. Provide helpful and informative services for all levels of painters, photographers and artists.

Our Staff
We have a small, but very qualified staff at Picture Element. We work very closely with clients and each other on projects which has enabled us to provide a quality service. Our clients are often speaking with the person(s) working on their job. All of us do most everything here, from answering the phones, to printing, to billing the order. We are all experienced artists and technicians ourselves and you won't ever be speaking to a customer service rep, sales person, or receptionist.

Michael Chambers
Picture Element was started by Michael Chambers. Mike studied photography and graphic design in College and has had extensive experience in photography, computer graphics, and electronics over the past 20 years.

Before the days of digital imaging, Mike produced beautiful traditional color and black & white prints. He built his own darkroom and learned the art of fine print making. As technology advanced, Mike began using computers and digital printers to further master his printing skills, which has earned him even greater control over the perfection of images.

Mike decided to start Picture Element after managing Calypso Imaging's digital department for over 11 years that he helped create. While at Calypso, Mike became a master printer and expert at color matching and color management. He was responsible for all technical processes, one on one consulting, image making, and all color management processes.

"I started Picture Element because I wanted to be able to direct entire projects and steer the company in my own direction. I've always enjoyed using my skills to help others obtain the best final product possible. I acquired the latest equipment and was determined to take digital capture and print output to its fullest extent"

Mike also teaches digital imaging and color management workshops.

Scott Maiden
Scot has worked in the photo industry for over 20 years. He has evolved from a traditional darkroom technician to a digital imaging expert in computer imaging. He is an Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop and Illustrator. He brings a great deal of technical expertise and color skills to Picture Element.

Nicole Williams
Nicole is a Brooks graduate with a degree in photography. She has been in the photo industriy over 10 years and does everything from scanning, color correcting, printing, mounting and running the front offiice.

Ken Schick
Ken contracts with Picture Element from time to time on large projects... He is an expert with color, framing and canvas stretching. He has worked in the photo industry for over 20 years and is also a fine art photographer himself. Ken also enjoys a music career during much of his own time.

Company Policies

Limit of Liability:
Submitting any film, print, slide, artwork or negative to this studio for capture, printing, mounting, or handling constitutes an AGREEMENT by you that any damage or loss by our company, subsidiary, or agents, even though due to the negligence or other fault of our company, subsidiary, or agents is without warranty or liability, and recovery for any incidental or consequential damages is excluded. The prices in this list replace any and all previous price lists and are subject to change without notice. Picture Element is not responsible for orders or original materials left over 30 days. Even though we obtain the best and most lightfast materials, our products cannot be warranted against a change of color.

Hours
Our doors are open Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Please call 408-969-0084 before hand if consultation is needed... Evenings and weekends by appointment only.

Quotations:
Information given on the phone can only be approximate. Price and turn around time will be finalized when the job arrives at our studio.

Shipping:
Out-of-area orders will be billed at our cost plus a $5.00 handling charge for items fitting in a 9"x12" envelope. Orders larger than 9"x12"(standard FedEx envelope) will be charged our cost plus a $10.00 handling fee. Larger packages and crating are priced according to packaging needed. Special projects and custom crating need to be submitted well in advance of the shipping date.
Terms:
Unless previously arranged, all sales are C.O.D. We accept cash, check, MasterCard and Visa. An account is considered past due if it is not paid within 30 days of the invoice date. Accounts with invoices that remain unpaid beyond 60 days of the invoice date will be placed on C.O.D. basis and incur a late payment charge of 1.5% per month (18% per year). Accounts that are 90 days beyond the invoice date will not be serviced until the account is brought current and may be subject to collection procedures. There may be a $25.00 charge on any returned check.

Copyright Material
Picture Element will only copy and reproduce protected work that is accompanied by written permission of the owner of the original art or document.