Under current health care doctors will decide whether you get certain types of procedures based on age and health. My mother -in-law had two cancer colon operations over a number of years but when she reached a certain age the doctor decided that her age and health prevented further testing. A friend had heart bypasses years ago but is now too old to do the surgery again since it might be too dangerous. He will live with medication. People like Palin (conservatives) love to stir the pot often without checking the facts and tend to tell half truths.

I was in the Canadian Rockies north of Lake Louise and photographed the mountains reflected in Herbert Lake. I had printed it myself on matte paper in 13x19 size for framing but I felt that it lacked something. I ordered a 16x20 metallic print mounted on a 1/2 inch fiber board from Nations Photo Lab. It was during one of their sales and I don't remember the price. I had them do there magic mostly with enhancing the clouds. I mounted
the print in a floater mount and it came out fantastic. My wife says it seems sharper and more detailed than an ordinary print. it has a shine like a glossy print but I think it has a certain snap that catches the eye. Well worth exploring.

It is probably cheaper to have prints made what with the outrageous cost of ink. I like the idea of instantly available prints and I get a certain amount of satisfaction
processing a raw file and producing the final product myself.

I have an Epson1400 and generally print 4x6 glossies for my album prints. I use matte in all sizes and especially 13x19 or 13x38 for panoramas. I have used Costco for large (20x30) excellent canvas prints. I've also used Nations Photo Lab for very nice 13x19 metallic prints.

I've used bbf for years and can't imagine ever wanting to put focus back on the shutter release. How can you get anything in focus if you recompose. I've been on five workshops with John and Barbara Gerlach. They are first rate helpful with all areas of nature photography and the equipment. There hummingbird workshop in British Columbia is fantastic. Plus they do Africa and Yellowstone in winter. Check them out.

I shoot Nikon. If you use back button focus and continuous focus for moving objects you should have no trouble. Trying to use the focus on the shutter release is pure folly.

I had a 16 x 24 metallic print mounted on 1/2 solid core printed. I mounted it in a floater frame (flat black) with a 1/4" gap around the print. The print really stands out. Glass would defeat the reason for a metallic print.

This is a red saddlebags dragonfly