MARYSVILLE — When the building space next to the Clear Image Photography and Portrait Studio opened up, Clear Image owner Daniel Jolly decided it was the perfect opportunity for him to take a few chances at once.

The Clear Image Darkroom held its grand opening Feb. 10 at 9023 State Ave., and Jolly described it as an umbrella for a number of different needed photo and video-related services that might not have worked on their own.

“Restore, print, archive and present,” said Jolly, summing up the photography lab, video transfer, scanning and custom framing shop. “Video transfers are a huge business right now, with many families wanting to see all their old camcorder and VHS tapes on DVD. All that old media is fading and its colors are degrading. We’ve already been doing some side-business as a photo lab for a while now, but now we can offer a better turnaround and price.”

Jolly chose the term “Darkroom” for his business because of its historic connotations within the field of photography. On a more personal historic note, he first met his business’ new framer, Christopher Dahl, in a photography darkroom back in college. Dahl was previously a stair-builder by trade, and Jolly touted his sturdy construction.

“I also wanted to do more fine art work here, including canvas and gallery wrap giclée,” Jolly said. “We offer reproductions in various finishes.”

Jolly’s equipment includes an adjustable drafting table and a Wizard computerized mat cutter, with which he hopes to produce custom logos. He added that his shop carries tear-proof re-adhesive wall images.

The Darkroom’s Web site is www.clearimagedarkroom.com and its phone number is 360-474-7773. It’s currently open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but Jolly expects it will open on Mondays eventually.