Photography paper and other forms of finishing your work: There seem to be very little discussion on finishing your work. Recently, I had some 16" X 24" prints done on a type of Rag...

LittleRedFish Loc: Naw'lens (New Orleans)

There seem to be very little discussion on finishing your work.

Recently, I had some 16" X 24" prints done on a type of Rag or Fine Art Paper, called "German Etching". The pictures came out great.

This type of printing can usually only be done at speciality photo/labs and gives a very artistic and visual color impact to ones work. It's completely flat in sheen, but the colors are very intense and the sharpness and detail it's gives the picture's is great.

There also is a big trend towards board mounted photography with a film put over it to protected it. I was not impressed with the way the pictures came out. Personally, the pictures seem like they loss some of their qualilty.

Thoughts or experiences to share anyone......

LittleRedFish Loc: Naw'lens (New Orleans)

Rachel wrote:

There seem to be very little discussion on finishi... (show quote)

No one thinks about the finish product? Come on I can't be the only one who prints pictures. :cry:

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

I've had a couple of pano's printed by an outfit out in Hollywood, CA - Ookiimage or something of the sort. They seemed to do nice work, at a good price.

I've never had anything framed yet - like putting whipped cream on poop for most of my junk.

I've read good things about MPIX as well.

I do know that your medium is CRITICAL when printing, whether it's the snapshot of Granny at the picnic on your little Epson,or the framed shot of your wedding at Buckingham Palace...

Mary P

There's a course from Perfect Picture School of Photography that teaches about papers, inks, printers, and calibration--anything having to do with getting your picture from your computer to the paper. It's very good, but was way above me. However, it might interest you. I'm betting the cost was cheaper on the board mounted with the film over it, although you won't need to use glass when you frame. I do believe the colors will last better on the rag--from my limited knowledge.

LittleRedFish Loc: Naw'lens (New Orleans)

JimH wrote:

I've had a couple of pano's printed by an outfit out in Hollywood, CA - Ookiimage or something of the sort. They seemed to do nice work, at a good price.

I've never had anything framed yet - like putting whipped cream on poop for most of my junk.

I've read good things about MPIX as well.

I do know that your medium is CRITICAL when printing, whether it's the snapshot of Granny at the picnic on your little Epson,or the framed shot of your wedding at Buckingham Palace...

Okay, I got one of mind framed, after I had it printed on the Rag paper. F/F say wow, which was good enough for me. Fiqured I had to start somewhere.

I've posted this picture before, but I'll show it again, Lie to please and be part of my F/F circle. ;-)

"out standing in the feild" what is what I hope to become

LittleRedFish Loc: Naw'lens (New Orleans)

Mary P wrote:

There's a course from Perfect Picture School of Photography that teaches about papers, inks, printers, and calibration--anything having to do with getting your picture from your computer to the paper. It's very good, but was way above me. However, it might interest you. I'm betting the cost was cheaper on the board mounted with the film over it, although you won't need to use glass when you frame. I do believe the colors will last better on the rag--from my limited knowledge.

What type of paper do you use when you get your pictures printed. The ones you want to put on your walls. Do you go for a five star glossy or lustre?

Mary P

I haven't yet printed anything I want to keep forever. What I have printed was lustre. I'll cross that bridge if I ever come to it. :)

LittleRedFish Loc: Naw'lens (New Orleans)

Mary P wrote:

I haven't yet printed anything I want to keep forever. What I have printed was lustre. I'll cross that bridge if I ever come to it. :)

"ever" is a very long time. I figure if I like it for a few years, and then if I get a better on change out the picture and hopefully keep the frame and glass. Which is why I try to go with standard sizes. The picture I showed above is a 16" x 24".

I also, have a fishing camp and I use stock frames and matt's from Michael's and print up 8 x10" photo's from home to put in them. Works for me.

Mary P

How fun--a fishing camp. Bet you get some good pictures there. One thing I would do if I planned to change out pictures is get that glass that shows no glare. There's three kinds of glass, the regular, the non-glare that doesn't allow the details to show, and that wonderful-but-expensive glass that you truly can't tell is there...

Linda Lee Loc: New England

Rachel wrote:

There seem to be very little discussion on finishi... (show quote)

I haven't printed anything yet although the new printer looms over me as I sit and key in this message. My latest excuse is that I need a professional or close to professional monitor so when it's calibrated I won't waste expensive ink. I know zip about printing and I don't feel that I should load the ink and let it go to waste until I know what I'm doing and have images I'd like to see on the walls.

So, maybe I should sign up for that printing course.

snowbear

For the few I have printed, I use a matte finish. I cut my own mats, mount the photos with hinging tape, and frame. I use metal and wood frames - it just depends on the photo. I currently have 12 of my shots on the walls of our apartment - two frames with three shots each, and six individual prints. The smaller triples are 4x6s; the largest print is 11x14; the rest range from 8x8 to 8x12.

I donated two matted and framed prints to a silent auction for Muscular Dystrophy.

forbescat

I have two printers - one for pictures and one for everything else. My picture printer is an Epson Photo 2200 and I've had it for years. It will print up to 19x13 or larger on a roll. I order my paper from Red River Paper. They have just about every different kind of paper you want. The quality is very, very good and they ship immediately.

LittleRedFish Loc: Naw'lens (New Orleans)

Mary P wrote:

How fun--a fishing camp. Bet you get some good pictures there. One thing I would do if I planned to change out pictures is get that glass that shows no glare. There's three kinds of glass, the regular, the non-glare that doesn't allow the details to show, and that wonderful-but-expensive glass that you truly can't tell is there...

yeah, and I really only like the expensive stuff. I think it's called "museum glass". but, my budget is for the others. The non-glare makes the pictures look muddle, you can see for the glare on the other. Can't win.

LittleRedFish Loc: Naw'lens (New Orleans)

Linda Lee wrote:

quote=Rachel There seem to be very little discuss... (show quote)

My personal experience is your going to waste a lot of ink and paper at first. It's just part of the learning process. So go ahead, bite the bullet and crank that new baby up, see what she can do.

Also, never heard of a printing course?

LittleRedFish Loc: Naw'lens (New Orleans)

forbescat wrote:

I have two printers - one for pictures and one for everything else. My picture printer is an Epson Photo 2200 and I've had it for years. It will print up to 19x13 or larger on a roll. I order my paper from Red River Paper. They have just about every different kind of paper you want. The quality is very, very good and they ship immediately.

I usually buy my paper direct from Epson, I try and stock up when they have it at 40%off. I get it shipped free and pay no sale tax.

If my pictures don't come out right, I just adjust them and go re-print. If I need anything bigger then a 8" X10", I send it out to a pro photo lab.