WHich print media should I choose?
My work can be printed in a range of print media, professional photo paper, canvas, metal and acrylic. Each has its pros and cons. Some customers like the dynamic range of glossy paper, some prefer the more subdued range and texture of a fine matte paper. Some like the punch and light reflection you get with metal or acrylic. And if you have particular preferences in media, go for it. All of the choices I'm listing work with my images. But if you don't have much experience regarding metal or matte, here are a few thoughts from someone who thinks :
Luster and Glossy. Every photo paper has a profile, a set of strengths and weaknesses. Glossy paper generally gives the most contrast and dynamic range. But glossy paper also reflects lots of light. That's where luster paper comes in. A good luster (or semi-gloss) has a color profile that's almost the match of glossy ... with a huge reduction in reflected light. So I usually choose luster because it allows for more immersed into the image's world. But it's all about preference and environment. In a bedroom or kitchen, I'd go luster or even matte. In a corporate environment or fashion-forward home, glossy or metallic paper can be the better choice.
Matte, a paper with history. Matte paper can't quite match the dynamic color range of luster/glossy paper. And it needs a bit more light to shine. That's OK. Because matte offers the feeling of hand-made, of parchment texture. A quality matte art paper is created in much the same way as the hand-made papers were first done in Italy in the 1500s. The kind of paper Durer would use for a pen and ink.
And when you touch it, print on it, the soft paper does something. There's a history to this paper's color and texture. And many of my portfolio images, Southwestern, Italian, even the Northwestern Portfolio images, do well with this paper. The paper can evoke an 18th Century lithograph, a Western landscape, a Zen pen and ink. That's what's cool about matte to me.
Metal. At their best, the metal prints capture the feeling of depth, space -- a characteristic that works well with the 3-D quality I explore in my work. With metal, the image is actually printed on a piece of coated aluminum that catches the light as it passes through the paint pigment. So the media reflects more of the ambient light in the home or office. ... And as the light changes in the room, the light (and mood) of the landscape photo changes to reflect it. I recommend Bay Photo's Mid-gloss metal choice for most folks. The Exhibition Mount metal choice is best for high traffic areas like offices.
Pricing. Metal prints are a bit more expensive to print than photo paper. But metal prints don't need to be framed, they can hang as-is and in various styles. So metal is generally cheaper than paper prints if the paper piece will be professionally framed. Metal photos also have a smooth finish so they can be cleaned with soap and water. Don't try that with a fine art paper.
Acrylic. Acrylics look kinda like metal prints that have a piece of glass on top.The acrylic colors have a lot of pop and dynamic range. But the plexiglass creates visual depth. Acrylics also tend to cost the most. Like metal, acrylics are easy to clean and don't require frames.
Seeing my latest images
As a pro photographer and a professional writer and blogger, I get my voice out there in various ways.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tim.truby
Whether I'm doing my regular photo tours or sheltering in San Pedro, my most current photo work shows up on Facebook. Of course FB also reminds me of stuff I've shot from years gone by. And if the image doesn't make me cringe, I will repost it. If you're that interested in your artist, friend me and say how you know me. I have several FB friends I've never met. And yes, my Facebook page is a politics-free zone.
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