PHOTOAL

I have been a hobbyist photographer for over 30 years with thousands of images. With serious prodding from my wife I am now printing some of these images larger than 8 x 10. I am trying to choose between canvas prints and metal prints. I have been comparing the results and I noticed something with my metal prints that I was hoping some of you knowledgeable UHH er's might be able to elaborate on for me. The canvas images look really good and no matter where I put them it always looks the same with the lighting. My metal images look fantastic as long as they are in the landscape orientation. If the metal images are vertical regardless of the subject they have a dull look to it. As soon as I turn that portrait orientation to a landscape orientation with the lighting it looks beautiful. My landscape orientation images all look as I expected until I turn them vertical and then get that same dull look. So I will assume that the light is reflecting differently off of the metal images when it is in the portrait orientation vs the landscape orientation. All of the portrait orientation images are dull looking unless you have them lit from the side which kind of goes against everything that I have learned in regards to presenting your images. I would like to hear from anybody that might have also experienced this with their images. I purchased the metal prints from Printerpix. So I am thinking based on what I see that any portrait orientation images will need to be purchase as a canvas and landscape orientation images can be either format.

PatrickAtty Loc: The Woodlands, TX

I am not an expert, but I like metal photos. However, I can't recall any that have been portrait orientation. Bay Photo offers metal prints with various finishes, glossy, semi-glossy, etc. You might call them them or purchase their samples of all finishes for about $35- to play with. i can't recall if they print the samples using your photos. I feel that canvas prints lose detail. Do you agree?

PHOTOAL

Thank You for the reply. I will consider the options that you suggested. I will agree with you the metal prints really pop compared to the canvas prints. The canvas prints, I see, will have their uses and the subject matter of my images. But the metal images when lit correctly are absolutely amazing.

TheDman Loc: USA

That does not make one bit of sense, and if that were happening to me I'd start using a different lab.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

if there is any "grain" in the metal, it will reflect light differently. Do a test, turn your print sideways and see if it changes brightness. If you look a brushed aluminum letters for a sign mounted to the wall, and if one of the letters is cut differently than the others, it will appear darker/lighter than the rest. This usually happens with the dot in the letter i.

PHOTOAL

These are the first images that I have printed from my vast collection from any company. I have found a lot of companies that provide this service. This was basically an experiment to see what my preference would be in regards to metal vs canvas. There must be some sort of grain in the metal as you suggested. Because that is when I see the varied difference is when I move the image from its correct orientation to its opposite. Everything that I put vertical be it a landscape orientation image or portrait orientation image is when the light reflections change and it looks like it has lost approximately 2-3 stops in exposure.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

My 2 favorite places for metal prints are from http://www.cgproprints.com/ and http://aluminyze.com/
FYI, CGPRO is the only place I get my canvases from now. Least expensive and best quality...a rare combination.

PHOTOAL

Thank You for the information. I will certainly look into these companies.

bee7474 Loc: Selah, Wa

Glad you ask this question. I am very interested and want to watch reply's. Thank you

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

I have obtained both landscape and a couple of portrait metal prints from Bay Photo. I have not noticed the "dull" effect on the two vertical prints.

Austin-yankee

I was not impressed by some metal prints that I ordered so I actually started printing my own metal. Metal prints can produce sharp detail and the colors that pop. A couple of the secrets to awesome metal prints is learning which types of photos produce the best results and PP plays a big part in the quality of the end product. I created a lot of scrap metal before i figured it out. End result, I am reproducing artist's works and have them in several retail outlets.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Why not take a landscape metal print and a portrait metal print back to the lab and point out the problem. Then, next time you want a portrait orientation, tell them it must be printed with the metal plate in the same orientation that they use for landscape. Unless they have a problem with how they lay the metal in the printer, it should be possible.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I have several metal prints and several canvas ones also. I do a lot of verticals! I haven't noticed any difference in vertical vs horizontal metal. I don't know where you are getting your images printed. I have used both FAA and Costco. The Costco ones done here are actually done in a California lab. Both do a very good job. I always choose the glossy finish rather than the brushed finish. I think it's probably the finish used on your images that is making the difference. Perhaps your lab is processing the verticals as though they were horizontals when applying the finish.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Its really your choice. I have portraits that I've done on canvas and they are great. I also have some done on glass and metal and they are good also. HOWEVER, canvas is considered more classical so if that is a look your trying to achieve, then go canvas. If you want something more modern and cutting edge, then metal or glass. These are just my opinions and you can take them for what they are worth. I typically separate my canvas, metal and glass photos. AND I generally use canvas for portraits, and metal or glass for landscapes, nature or whatever. My suggestion is that you (and this will cost a little money for the experiment) have the same photo printed on each media type in the same size so that you can easily compare them. I do have one portrait that is a 16X20 canvas hanging with several other canvas portraits in my office and the exact same portrait is done as an 8x10 glass and an 8x10 metal. All look great but the canvas is just more classical.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

It must be the metal paper they are using. Perhaps if you consult with them and tell them your problem they might use a different paper to print on.