The Science behind the Art: I am Abi
Fine art is almost solely linked to paintings. Abi Miguel thought otherwise.
Fine art photography explores the junction between photography and art, pushing the definition of a portrait. In I am Abi, a photography studio in the Philippines, the clientele’s character is carefully studied and articulated in a set-up, so the resulting portrait captures not only the subject’s appearance, but also her personality. “We believe that archival prints will last generations. It’s a legacy we can leave behind to our families,” says Abigail Miguel, photographer and co-owner of the company.
Having been in the industry for fourteen years, Abi Miguel has made a name for herself in the world of fine art photography. Her photos and layouts are intricate, elaborate, and attracts a demanding market. “We are very meticulous with our products and prints. Our clients only deserve the best.”
Frustrated with the quality of local printing shops that prioritized cost above all else, Abi resorted to having prints produced in the UK. “It was not sustainable. Shipping cost so much.” Husband and business partner Dennis Miguel said, “you can’t drive a Ferrari with the wrong wheels,” referring to the disconnect between the digital images and their lackluster printouts.
Today, I am Abi finally produces the colors in Abi’s mind with utmost fidelity. A wide color gamut, a profound depth of tones, and an extensive library of compatible media, and a better bottomline are now attainable through the studio’s very own Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-541.
After months of research, Abi recognized that the Lucia PRO inks, coupled with the Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering (FINE) printhead spelled a world of difference. 18,432 nozzles release microscopic droplets of pigment ink onto the media, producing high resolution prints of up to 2400 x 1200 dpi. The built-in sensor automatically scans printed colors and compensates for any variation. This smart function enables fast, highly precise adjusting of prints on a variety of media with reliable, worry-free consistent color reproduction.
Media compatibility is also important to Abi. As an artist, she is always exploring new means of expression. As of writing, her most popular product is the wall orb, a stunning piece with a raw yet elegant. A vast array of media options is available to PRO-series owners thanks to the media configuration tool. Together with the L-COA PRO processor, the tool can be customized to suit different printing objectives and produce high resolution, high volume data at high speed.
Quality and cost were no longer mutually exclusive with the company’s new in-house machine. The printer even came with its own Accounting Manager, a powerful software that accurately tracks print costs, inks, and media consumption, and can easily take on and manage more printers and calculate print cost by user or by department should the company expand. Depending on requirements, 3 ink tank sizes are also available to suit changing needs and budgets.
“I’ve always been an advocate of printing,” Abi confesses. Through the brand, Abi imparts the joy of beautiful imagery in hardcopy. Some photographers have taken notice and are concretizing their vision in print. “I hope more of the industry would follow suit.”
“I have won awards thanks to this machine. I’m very happy. My clients are happy. Every print feels like Christmas.”
About I Am Abi Fine Art Photography
Led by Ms. Abi Miguel, the business initially started as a hobby in 2007 but is now a lifelong passion. Today, Abi is a recipient of various prestigious international awards from the likes of Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) and Masters Photographers Association of Britain (MPA). Just this February 2021, she was recognized as one of the top 100 photographers of WPE International Photography (out of almost 7,500 members). As a female photographer in a male-dominated industry, it is a tremendous accomplishment to receive accolades from other co-photographers.
The focus is on fine art photography and movement portraits of the highest standard. While the studio takes a variety of shots such as children's photography, family portraits, and prenuptial photography, it has become the favorite of maternity and predebut shoots as well due to the team's capability to concretize each client’s vision. Each session is carefully designed from hair and make-up, wardrobe styling, and production styling with the client’s concept in mind. The objective is to make each client a masterpiece. Each photo, a complete story.
I am Abi advocates printing as prints offer a sense of calm to this otherwise fast-paced digital world. They use Giclée fine art printing and Hahnemühle fine art paper so you can be sure of superior quality photos that will last a lifetime. They produce a wide variety of prints that can be customized: Matted fine art print, Canvas print, Photobooks, and the Orb.
The beauty of photography is that it captures that very special moment in time that would otherwise have been forever lost. At I Am Abi Fine Art Photography, they bring it a step further as not only do they capture moments, they transform them into art.
Learn more about them here: www.iamabi.com .
