Silvertone International Johannesburg

I'm a traveling photojournalist, mostly working in Zambia in the bush. I often need to have fine-art images printed and delivered internationally. I send high res images via Silvertone's website knowing that they have the knowledge and understanding of my work which is then printed to the highest standard. The team at Silvertone, print, package and post my images Professionally and punctually to my clients. Whenever I am 'in town' I pop in to Silvertone and what should be a 10-minute visit soon turns into a creative brainstorming session. I always leave feeling enriched by their Professionalism, technical knowledge, and aesthetic values which inspire me with a vision to get back out there and Photograph. Thanks for doing such a great job!!

Michelle Attala - michelleattala@googlemail.com

Silvertone as become synonymous with photographic art. Dennis and Andreas have been mentors to the photographic community for a long time. Their knowledge and guidance has helped amateurs and professionals along the silver halide road to success. My own personal experience began a few years ago as a very enthusiastic amatuer eager to jump in the void of professionalism. Through the mentorship of silvertone a self realization of the learning curve I would have to endure before I could contemplate that path. It is only now that I feel confident to begin this journey. And I know what ever it may bring that help and and advice are always on hand thanks to Silvertone. Long may their business continue for the photographic community would be poorer without them. And there invaluble knowledge would be lost to future generations of eager photographers. delaneypl@yahoo.com

Photographers around the world will attest to the fact that whilst the starting point for any great photograph is an image well taken behind the lens, a great deal of the success of that image does and will always depend on the ability of the printer to interpret the image faithfully and in so doing to reveal its truth and inner beauty. Whilst it is difficult to say something about Dennis da Silva and the team at Silvertone that has not already said I can say this: It is one thing to recognise the genius of legendary figure after they have moved on, but quite another to live in the presence of one. For me Dennis da Silva is that rarest of beings: a master craftsmen and a legend in his own time. His generosity, skill, and knowledge are unparalleled and it is indeed a great honour and privilege for me to have Dennis work on my images and in so doing to reveal their true potential not only to me but to the world at large. In this regard I would also like to extend a special word of thanks to Andreas, Boogey and Andile for their professionalism and friendship without which Silvertone would be much the poorer.   

Dennis, Andreas and Andile are a great team to work with. They are generous with their printing skills, their time and are always patient with the needs and nitpicking of demanding photographers. In a country with a small photographic community, Silvertone is a big player and a valuable asset. - www.graemewilliams.co.za

Everything Dennis Da Silva executes is done with 1st World skill and quality.  - www.dezitter.com

Dennis Da Silva founder of Silvertone has been my sole hand printer since 1982. He is a master black and white printer; one of the best in the world. Silvertone and Andreas Kahlau are responsible for the scanning and grading of my negatives and producing digital prints for my exhibitions. The quality of these prints are so superb that many specialists can hardly see the difference between these and the Silver hand print. - www.rogerballen.com

I have known Dennis Da Silva for about 30 years – first at Beith Process and then with his company Silvertone. I can safely say that not only is Dennis da Silva is one of the most talented and skilled hand printers in South Africa but his company produces the highest quality scans and archival digital prints. Their state of the art equipment, professional expertise and attention to detail make it a pleasure for me to work with Dennis.  Even though I am based for part of the year in Europe I continue to use Silvertone printing services which are a match in quality and price for anyone in Europe or the States. I recommend Dennis Da Silva and Silvertone to any photographer or company in South Africa or abroad who is looking for high quality and professionalism in the art of printing.  www.jurgenschadeberg.com

Silvertone is of international quality and rivals any professional lab in Europe or America. Digitally with Andreas one is assured the highest quality in prints and colour grading. Dennis da Silva has helped countless South African photographers and guided many to successful careers. At the age of 60 he has become a master black and white hand printer. His prints for Roger Ballen are in museums and collections around the world. - www.garth-meyer.com

For the last 5 years Silvertone have been solely responsible for the entire production side of my business - processing of film and contacts, digital A0 proofs and finally through to the 800mm by 800mm silver hand prints - the process is an absolute pleasure! Being based in Cape Town and Silvertone in Johannesburg could not be easier as Dennis and Andreas are brilliant at letting me know film has arrived and the status of my work. They and their staff also communicate well with each other so my work is never lost in the system. It frees up me to work confident that production is in the safest of hands and in 5 years I have never had a lost or damaged a roll of film nor a print.  I leave my negs in their storage, collect selected silver prints and digital proofs en route to present work in Europe and for every five meetings i have - four dealers will always say the printing is unbelievable and ask who does my printing!! Dennis and Andreas are integral business partners in my work and the ease to work with have made them into close friends too. I feel so secure with them involved my work and if i ever leave Cape Town i will still use them cause they make distance easy. Thanks guys!! -  www.pierrecrocquet.com

I have all of my Fine Art Prints made at Silvertone International where Andreas and his team consistently deliver superb quality prints together with great service. I also use Silvertone for high end scanning, grading and proofing of film images for my prints and calendars. - www.richarddutoit.com

Silvertone has been printing for me for the past 5 years. The quality of their work is of an extremely high standard. They are efficient, accurate with colour reproduction and use quality paper & printing products. It is extremely important to me as an artist that I am able to trust Silvertone to do my limited print editions. Silvertone has an exceptional reputation amongst my peers for being the most reputable art printing facility in Johannesburg. www.normancatherine.co.za

Over many years you have printed some beautiful pieces for me, but you have surpassed your own high standards with your printing of my exhibition 12 Naked Men. These prints ( 143.5 x 110 cm.), have a tonal range, a delicacy, and brilliance that I have rarely seen. Thank you for contributing to the success of this show. www.meyersfeld.com

It has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to work with Silvertone - I can not recommend their services strongly enough. Dennis, Andreas and Andile are passionate professionals whose dedication and expertise is sure to fulfill a photographer or artist\'s individual needs.
www.joaosilva.co.za

I have been relying on Dennis\' expertise and advice for more than 2 decades. His services and reliability are unsurpassed.

Having worked very closely with Silvertone for the past three years, I have found them to be an invaluable partner in producing fine prints and scans for clients. Their very knowledgeable and helpful staff provides excellent advice and fast, high quality products, even on the tightest deadlines. I have continued using their services since moving to Cape Town recently, and have found them to be as capable of providing the best services at a distance, as they are when you can just pop in from around the corner. I would highly recommend them to anyone requiring the best printing and scanning available!

You are the best BEST ever! - you are amazing printers! Andreas you are my hero! - a complete book in one day!! - no reprints all just stunning! Thank You! I adore you!!! Dennis - no other printers are like you!! You are wonderful! - clean, neat organized, humble and friendly always! - Even makes the best coffee (and cleans up too!) I am saying this because I got spoiled and thaught this is the standard norm: O Dear, No!!! You just stand out and I love being spoiled by only the best printers! So: I want to say: Thank you!! I love you! I am sooo glad YOU are my printers! - www.olivierkahlau.com

We only work with Silvertone as they put as much passion into their work, as we put into ours. Photography is a lot more than just shooting with the highest quality equipment , so we only work with Silvertone as they are a lot more than just the highest quality printers. - www.dookskinandbone.com

I have known Dennis Da Silva for most of my career. He has been a consistent friend and mentor as well as THE standard for both black and white and color printing. In my career I have been fortunate to work all over the world and have access to many good craftsmen in the photographic world. No one has ever cared more about my final product than Dennis. No one has been more humble about their vast understanding of how to make the perfect print. He has consistently made me look better than I am and he has done that with ease and grace even when pushed into impossible deadlines. For me he is my first choice when I think of museum printing. Andreas is the consummate German perfectionist behind a computer. I know that I can give him an untouched raw file  and on the basis of a brief conversation; he will produce something beyond my ability to imagine in my own work.  A great retoucher, he is capable of bringing out detail which I did not realize was there. It is like seeing the photograph all over again. A great retoucher takes your work to another level, they are not just technicians, they see what you are trying to communicate and use their skills to enhance that. Beyond their technical skills, Dennis and Andreas are people who really listen to you. This is a bespoke service, not a drop off shop that wants the work out the door as quickly as possible. They are concerned with their reputation for consistent quality. As a result everything is beautifully done and you come away from the experience feeling like you have found collaborators. In a world of apathetic operators they are a breath of fresh air. - www.brentstirton.com

I have used the Services of Dennis da Silva from Silvertone International  since 1981. Dennis, then working for Beith Process, handled all my colour and black and white processing,  which included E6 and C41 processes. I hold his expertise and knowledge in highest regard, and would recommend him to any and every prospective client. When Dennis started Silvertone, he handled the majority of my digital printing, and with his staff, are able to deliver internationally accepted digital prints. Andreas, who runs the digital printing side, is constantly updating his knowledge by attending and participating in current digital printing techniques in the USA and Europe. There is no other laboratory in the Southern hemisphere that  can match the quality of black and white printing. Pieter de Ras  FPPSA - National president  Professional Photographers of Southern Africa) - www.photoderas.com

I’m an artist and photographer and working with Dennis, Andreas,  and Andile at Silvertone has been a unique experience for me. They combine extraordinary levels of cutting edge digital printing knowledge and technical skill with a deeply human and personal investment in the success and beauty of whichever project it is that you bring to them. Working with them is always a collaboration because as an artist, I often bring them unconventional printing needs! And, I am always struck by their patience and generosity as they work out how best to get the job done for me. A calm, peaceful and professional atmosphere pervades their printshop at all times and this too seems to be a part of their admirable work ethos. - www.terrykurgan.com

Dear Dennis and Andreas, There has been some activity lately. A small flurry of excitement in the halls for the National Geographic Society, at its Explorer’s Hall. The Joubert, Big Cat Exhibition opened this month to consistent and growing positive reviews like a wonderful wave of appreciation. That appreciation is not only for Beverly’s fine images, or only of the eyes of the big cats that stare back at you, but for the overall package. So it deserves some explanation of exactly what that package is, for anyone who may want to read this. It has also set me considering the fine line between art and what is not considered art. It began with a visit to Silverton’s offices in South Africa, where old friend and associate Dennis Da Silva, took a long had look at a selection of images in his usual laconic way, nodding quietly, framing with two set squares, reaching over to finger some paper samples and consulting with Andreas. Then at last a pronouncement that you don’t even ask for from a regular printer or setter, ’these are good!’ So as a first level of service at Silverton you get an opinion, an honest one at that. Beverly’s eyebrows climbed up her forehead a notch when that announcement included a ’This one lets the portfolio down a little in my opinion...’ but while that image stayed a round or two longer I notice it did not make it into her final selection! Next is a meticulous series of tests on different papers to determine the way the light falls over the image and if the slicker Textured Fine Art brings the deep colours out too much or whether the more absorbent Fabriano takes that edge off and leaves a rounded colour palette. Back and forth, test, select, test again, blow up, less gamma, more density, more luminance... Once we got a call from Andreas saying that some unique combination of papers and colour gave up a look that none of us expected but...’you know I like it!’ We went in and looked down at a print that took our breath away. In any other shop, this would not have been printed. It would not have passed that first 5 x 7 test, and we would never have had a call to come and see a full sized experiment. This only happens because Silverton becomes your partner, a creative partner if you allow it. If you want a full colour glossy print, you really want to go somewhere else, I get the impression that kind of printing turns their stomachs.   The work is an interesting blend between precise detail and artistic collaboration, which if you think about it, is a realm very few succeed in. You are either precise and detailed as a personality, or creative, by stereotype, but Silverton defies stereotypes, or stereos in general it seems. I see a vinyl record player in the lab, which should be un-noteworthy, but it is in a way indicative of what Silverton is about. It is, as a company, an association of individuals, a specialist in a hand made ethic that was more prevalent in the days of those vinyl records even though they were plastic and mass produced. They were gritty and had a texture in a way that seems more honest than merely recreating reality, in the same way as Silverton looks at photography; an art form beyond the easy route, beyond that simply recreation of reality in a snapshot. This journey  has to be hard, filled with experimentation and some mistakes, because somehow I believe that all of those steps walk with you like silent and invisible warriors in this fight against mediocrity. Silverton is an enemy of mediocre.  Thank you all, Dereck and Beverly. - www.wildlifeconservationfilms.com

I could print my digital work myself....It’s cheaper... But I don’t! Why not? Because then I wouldn’t get all the advice... knowledge... support ... and cups of good coffee... I get from Dennis @ Silvertone. All photographers need unbiased ’mentor ship’ ...and good advice born out of years of experience...especially ’pro’s’. It’s how we get better at what we do ... That’s what you ’really’ get @ Silvertone!

I’ve been with Silvertone for many years and the scans and prints have unfailingly been of an outstanding quality, absolutely state of the art. The service is fast, efficient and always accommodating. In short, this laboratory is top of the range;  I wouldn’t go anywhere else. (website in progress. To be announced soon.)