Tucked away in the quiet Cornish village of Lelant lies a surprising hub of technological innovation. Here, in this serene corner of southwest England, Tempest Photography operates one of Europe’s most advanced photographic laboratories—a facility that has received over £10 million in investment since 2005 and stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to quality and sustainability.
The Heart of Tempest’s Quality Control
While Tempest Photography is widely known for its comprehensive photography services across educational, military, and cruise settings, much of the company’s most impressive work happens behind the scenes. The Cornish lab serves as the nerve centre for processing the 8.1 million images Tempest captures annually including approximately 200,000 school portraits taken during the autumn term alone.
Every image that passes through Tempest’s hands undergoes meticulous processing at this state-of-the-art facility. From initial digital enhancement to final printing and mounting, the lab’s advanced equipment and skilled technicians ensure that each photograph meets Tempest’s exacting standards before reaching customers.
“Quality control is at the heart of everything we do,” explains a Tempest laboratory specialist. “From the moment an image arrives at our facility to the second it leaves as a finished product, multiple checks and enhancements ensure we deliver photographs that families will treasure for generations.”
Technological Investment for Superior Results
The £10 million investment in the Lelant facility has equipped Tempest with cutting-edge technology that transforms good photography into exceptional imagery. This substantial commitment to technological advancement has positioned Tempest at the forefront of the photography industry, enabling the company to handle massive volumes of images without compromising on quality.
One of the most significant technological leaps forward came with Tempest’s £1 million investment in two HP Indigo dry-process printers. These sophisticated machines were manufactured carbon neutrally and represent the pinnacle of printing technology. The integration of these advanced printers into Tempest’s workflow has eliminated the need for 125,000 litres of chemicals and clean water annually—a substantial environmental benefit alongside the quality improvements they deliver.
The lab’s digital capabilities extend beyond printing to comprehensive image enhancement. Advanced software allows technicians to optimise each photograph’s lighting, colour balance, and composition while maintaining natural-looking results. This high-tech approach minimises the need for reprints, further reducing waste and ensuring consistent quality across all products.
Sustainable Practices in Print Production
As environmental consciousness has grown across industries, Tempest Photography has embraced sustainability as a core value within its production processes. The Lelant lab serves as the centrepiece of these efforts, incorporating eco-conscious practices at every stage of production.
By creating all products in-house, Tempest maintains tight control over sustainability standards while also minimising carbon emissions associated with transporting products from external suppliers. This vertical integration allows the company to implement environmentally friendly practices throughout the production chain.
Recent ESOS (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme) reports highlight the impact of Tempest’s switch to HP printers, which has reduced the lab’s power consumption by 10%. The company has further enhanced its eco-credentials by replacing gas-fired heating units with heat-pump-powered air conditioning and heating systems, significantly reducing the facility’s carbon footprint.
The materials used in Tempest’s photographic products reflect the same commitment to sustainability. The company’s mounts are fully recyclable, and 70% of backing boards are manufactured from recycled materials. All frame components are similarly eco-friendly, made from sustainable FSC-certified sources and recycled materials such as Polcore.
“We’re constantly looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact without compromising on quality,” notes a Tempest sustainability coordinator. “Our customers expect exceptional photographs, but they also increasingly value knowing that their purchases aren’t harming the planet.”
The Seamless Customer Experience
The sophistication of Tempest’s laboratory operations translates directly into a smooth, effortless experience for customers. After a photography session at a school, university, or other venue, Tempest’s eProofing system provides instant access to digital image proofs. Customers can view these proofs online and order their favourite images with just a few clicks.
Once orders are placed, they enter Tempest’s streamlined production workflow. The lab’s integration of advanced technology with skilled craftsmanship ensures rapid processing without sacrificing attention to detail. Each order is carefully tracked throughout production, with quality checks at multiple stages to guarantee customer satisfaction.
The result is a comprehensive range of high-quality photographic products available in both colour and black and white, with options to suit all budgets. From traditional prints to contemporary mounted displays, every item leaving the Lelant facility meets Tempest’s exacting standards.
Innovation in Product Development
Beyond processing standard photographic products, the Lelant lab serves as an innovation centre where Tempest develops new offerings to meet evolving customer preferences. The facility’s advanced capabilities enable the company to experiment with novel printing techniques, mounting options, and presentation styles.
In recent years, the lab has expanded its capabilities to support Tempest’s yearbook and hoodie services. The company’s custom-printed mounts, produced in-house using fabric printers, feature student names and school crests, providing personalised presentation options for school photographs. Despite being premier products, prices for these bespoke items start at just £15, making them accessible to a wide range of customers.
The lab also supports Tempest’s partnerships with sister companies AllYearbooks and Moxie, producing high-quality imagery for inclusion in yearbooks and other memorabilia. By maintaining control over the entire production process, Tempest ensures consistency across all products and services.
Exploring Innovation Through Thermal Imaging
Among the many innovations at Tempest Photography’s Cornwall facility, one can be the selective use of thermal imaging camera as part of its quality assurance processes. While more commonly seen in industrial or medical settings, this technology has found a valuable role in monitoring environmental conditions within sensitive production areas. By identifying subtle temperature fluctuations that could impact printing machinery or material stability, thermal imaging helps ensure the consistency and reliability Tempest is known for—right down to the final photograph.
Quality Control Processes
At the heart of Tempest’s laboratory operations is a rigorous quality control system that maintains standards across millions of images annually. Each photograph undergoes multiple inspections throughout the production process, with trained specialists verifying everything from colour accuracy to mounting alignment.
Digital images are first assessed for technical quality, with adjustments made as needed to optimise lighting, contrast, and colour balance. Once approved, images move to the printing stage, where advanced calibration systems ensure that what appears on screen is faithfully reproduced in print.
After printing, physical products undergo further inspection before mounting or framing. Each framed and backed product is created in-house and passes through a thorough quality control process. This attention to detail ensures that customers receive only the finest finished products—a commitment that has helped Tempest maintain an impressive 85% return customer rate.
The Future of Photography Processing
As the photography industry continues to evolve, Tempest’s Lelant laboratory stands ready to embrace new technologies and techniques. The company’s substantial ongoing investment in the facility ensures it remains at the cutting edge of photographic processing, capable of adapting to changing customer expectations and environmental requirements.
Potential future developments include further automation of routine tasks, allowing skilled technicians to focus on quality control and creative enhancements. Additional investments in renewable energy sources may further reduce the lab’s environmental footprint, aligning with Tempest’s commitment to sustainability.
One thing remains constant amidst this evolution: Tempest’s dedication to producing exceptional photographic products that capture precious memories. From a child’s first school portrait to a graduate’s ceremonial photograph, each image processed at the Lelant facility represents a moment worthy of the highest quality reproduction.
About Tempest Photography
For over 80 years, Tempest Photography has held its place at the top of the UK photography industry. The company processes more than 8.1 million images annually through its advanced Lelant laboratory, serving schools, universities, military establishments, and cruise lines across the country.
Tempest’s network of 450 full-time photographers live throughout the UK, providing outstanding photography services in their local areas. The company’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is reflected in its impressive retention rate, with 85% of customers returning year after year.
Learn more about Tempest Photography’s services and commitment to quality.
