I haven’t been to a mainstream photography store since 1995.

Black’s had never been a place to rely on for decent prints anyway. Blue colour casts? Blah. When I began paying more attention to photography, I realized that choice of print labs actually mattered, and I vowed to never return.

On a recent Saturday, however, I had no choice. My photo project was due the next day and I needed prints that afternoon. Aden Camera’s lab was closed and recommended I visit Black’s in the Atrium on Bay.

So, with head down and tail between my legs, I returned.

When I’d arrived, there was an existing line-up of four restless people, so I decided to cut my stress at one of the many photo processing workstations. The computers looked relatively similar, so I ventured to the closest bank, inserted my storage media, and went at it.

At this point, another employee passed by. I asked when the lab would process my photos from this particular machine. “One hour,” he said. “Perfect,” I said.

Except when I actually submitted my order, the photos started printing automatically — a set that would’ve looked better printed on a Hewlett-Packard that was run over by an 18-wheeler and left out to rot in the rain. To further compound matters, the printer jammed, and was then serviced by an unenthusiastic gum-chewing member of the team.

When I’d reached the counter to pay, the sales rep had the nerve to mention that, by the way, the workstations at the other end of the store were the ones connected to the lab for proper processing on photographic paper, at a cheaper price.

When I suggested that a large sign would’ve been handy, he admitted they usually caught customers before they started using the machine.

Right. Line-ups? Incorrect information? Technical flubs? AND a crappy product?

Meh. It’ll be at least another 14 years before I see you again, Black’s.