Epson has produced more than fifty 64-inch wide large format prints for a major RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) sea rescue photography exhibition titled The Lifeboat: Courage on our Coasts, which will be visiting major cities in the UK and Ireland for five months, starting in September.
Illustrating the lifesaving work of the RNLI, the touring exhibition showcases the photographs captured by RNLI lifeboat crew member and award-winning professional photographer Nigel Millard. The images on display will include dramatic shots of lifeboats in action and portraits of the charity’s dedicated volunteer crew members, lifeguards and fundraisers. “I hope the exhibition will give people a better understanding and appreciation of the RNLI’s lifesaving work, as well as helping to raise funds for the charity,” says Nigel. “The photos are a collection of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”
The exhibition will be free and accessible 24 hours a day, whatever the weather, just like the services of the RNLI, and will visit London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Dublin, and Birmingham.
Epson has had a long-standing relationship with the RNLI and Nigel Millard. The large 1750mm x 1170mm outdoor exhibition prints were produced by Epson at its UK headquarters using the Epson SureColor SC-S70600, 64-inch (162.6cm), large format printer. The images were printed on Ilford’s Nanosolvent Satin 255gsm media which is ideal for outdoor applications in all weathers.
The SureColor SC-S70600 uses Epson’s UltraChrome GSX ink set which is perfect for outdoor exhibitions as it is lightfast for up to three years without lamination. Available as an 8- or 10-colour model the printer ensures exceptional high quality prints – essential for picking out the fine details in Nigel’s close-up portraits, whilst the vivid colours and the smooth tonal gradations help to bring the dramatic sea rescue images to life.
Nick White, business manager, Professional Graphics, Epson UK, has also been an operational volunteer with the RNLI for a number of years. “I am proud that Epson continues to support the RNLI and the charity’s lifesaving work, which is essential, often difficult and sometimes dangerous,” he says. “Epson is a leader in the photographic and fine art print markets and its technology produces high resolution and the widest colour gamut which will ensure Nigel’s photography is reproduced to the highest standard.”
The photographs in the exhibition have been selected from a book of Nigel’s photographs titled The Lifeboat: Courage on our Coasts, published by Conway, written by Dr Huw Lewis-Jones, with the foreword by HRH The Duke of Cambridge. Copies of the book will be available to buy at the regional exhibitions.