As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Epson is reflecting on the milestone 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking “America in Detail” exhibition by acclaimed photographer Stephen Wilkes. This exhibition helped redefine what was possible in professional photographic printing.
Created to capture the beauty and complexity of America at a unique moment in history, the exhibition gave audiences a new way to experience the country. It also demonstrated how advances in digital imaging could expand the possibilities of fine art photography.
Twenty-five years ago, Epson’s groundbreaking imaging technology helped lead the transition from the darkroom to digital workflows. Epson technology combined its breakthrough archival pigmented inks with Epson’s MicroPiezo® printhead technology.
As Wilkes recalled, “Photographers came with their magnifying glasses, expecting to find flaws in the prints. Instead, everyone was left speechless because they had never seen inkjet prints with this level of quality before.”
The Print is Why
Today, Epson is celebrating the continuing advancements of photographic fine art printing with a look back at some of Wilkes’ favorite images from the “America in Detail” show, along with his more recent work for Epson’s “The Print is Why” campaign and his forthcoming book of iconic images of America over the years.
The “America in Detail” exhibition will run from Oct. 17-31, 2026 at the Holden Luntz Gallery in Palm Beach, Florida. The remarkable photographs captured 25 years ago will be printed with the latest generation of Epson SureColor® professional imaging printers.
A Portrait of America – Ushering in a New Era of Printing
For “America in Detail,” Wilkes set out on a 52-day expedition across the United States with the mission to capture the heart of America at the dawn of the 21st century.
Wilkes’ project resulted in the iconic photographs “Tuskegee Airman,” “Field of Dreams,” and “Glacier,” all of which were printed on the breakthrough Epson inkjet printers.
“When I was commissioned to photograph America in 2000, I wanted to go beyond the obvious and find the heart of this country in its details. Every image was a conversation,” recalled Wilkes. “As I was photographing Tuskegee Airman Allie Peak on Memorial Day, I remember seeing the pride he felt as he looked up at the American flag that was reflecting in his eye. Those are moments that transcend the photograph in a way you can feel.”
25 Years Later – Why the Print Matters More Than Ever
Professional photographers often cite the “America in Detail” exhibitions as a turning point in photographic history from the traditional darkroom to the ubiquitous digital workflows used today. Epson’s “The Print is Why” campaign celebrates both professional photographers and the enduring importance of the photographic print.
“At the time of ‘America in Detail,’ most photographers had no idea what an inkjet printer was. Digital printing was in the early stages of development, and it was exciting to see the reactions to those large-scale inkjet prints with unheard-of levels of detail and permanence,” said Wilkes. “While there are new display technologies today, the print remains the single most important element of what I create.”
Over the past 25 years, Epson has continued to advance its inkjet printing technology, reinforcing its long-standing support for photographers and labs.
“One thing that has always impressed me about working with Epson is that they are always pushing the envelope,” shared Wilkes. “Nobody is stepping back and saying, ‘this is good enough.’ I’m not a ‘good enough’ guy – I’m always interested in pushing the technology forward, and I enjoy collaborating with companies that run parallel with me, not behind me.”
Today, Epson offers a full line of SureColor P-Series printers for creative professionals looking to produce extraordinary high-quality prints. With expanded color gamut, rich black density on photographic and fine art medias and unparalleled print permanence, Epson enables artists to produce prints as they intended.
“It has been an honor to work alongside and be a trusted resource for the world’s finest photographers for more than two decades,” said Andreas Goehring, director, Professional Imaging, Epson America. “For over 25 years, our goal has been to push the technology forward so that it becomes virtually invisible, empowering photographers to push creative boundaries and create prints that captivate and inspire.”
A video celebrating the 25th anniversary of “America in Detail” is available online at: https://youtu.be/REnuAemNjU4.