Nat Geo - Great examples of photos
Lens Work

I've been using Affinity Photo in place of Photoshop for over a year. It's a good product.
I'm not a fan of their raw converter, and like Photoshop, it does not have a way to help you organize your photos. I use Capture One for the raw conversion and organization. You can round-trip from C1 into Affinity.

I also use Affinity Publisher - Another good product.

Hi Timepass - what glue sheets have you tried from Amazon? Can you send a link?

Great inputs - Thanks. I went to my local arts/crafts store (Ben Franklin) yesterday and saw how they mounted prints. They have a big heat/vacuum machine - and use a coated (dry mount) type board. About $16 for them to do a 16 x 20. And the board is thicker than 1/8 inch.
They said that before they got the machine - they used 3M 77 spray. They still use the 77 spray for prints for the Fair. They said the Elmers wasn't as good a glue.
I bought a can of the 77 spray and some backing board and will try it this weekend.
Another friend of mine said she used double-sticky tape.

I'm using Canon Pro Luster paper. 13 x19 and 17 x 22. These aren't canvas prints.

I am planning to enter photos in local (WA) state fairs - and the photos need to be "mounted on picture mat board no thicker than 1/8 inch. No foam core or gator board." I used to have my photos mounted by the places I got my photos printed, but now that I have my own printer, I have to do this myself.

I watched a number of videos - and seen both the "spray the photo with 3M 77" and using the self adhesive mat boards.

Any recommendation on where to buy mat boards for this purpose? Any recommendation on techniques? (Spray vs self adhesive.)

Thanks...

I just purchased a WD Passport 4TB for a photo trip. It was around $100. Amazon had a case that fit it perfectly for $8. Whole thing is about 4" x 5" x 1". I actually bought 2 - different colors. One blue, one red. I use one to store the raw images, the other to store the processed images. My laptop SSD hard drive is too small to store a lot of images.

I use 4TB Passports. Never had an issue. I load raw images from the camera into one. I use a second one for processing, etc.

When selecting the printer, do you use Pro-1000 series or Pro-1000 series XPS?

I agree - nikonbrain -you are the man!

Thanks!

Good thread.
I just got the Pro 1000 and like it. I don't even want to think about a bigger printer - yet.
Question on anyone printing from Capture One or using Q-Image.
I use Capture One and find that if I print directly from it, the prints have a magenta tone. (Yes - My monitor is calibrated.) If I open the file in Canon DDP 4, then use Print Studio Pro, the print is fine. It's a bit convoluted, but it works. (There is no Capture One Plug In to Print Studio Pro as there is with LR.) Plus with Capture One, it never seems to maintain the print settings. I also had the photo printed (from the same Tiff file) at my local camera store who uses a Pro 1000 as one of their production machines, and the print was fine. So it's definitely something in Capture One.

So - if anyone is on Capture One - what is your print experience. And - is Q-Image worth getting vs. Canon Print Studio Pro.

Thanks for the help.

Great Lowepro bag for a great price. $65. Just bought one.
https://www.lowepro.com/us-en/photo-classic-bp-300-aw-lp36975-config/

I have been a member of the PSA for a few years. I get value as I'm part of a monthly group where we send in photos and do critiques. I find the organization is focused on shows and getting award points - which is not where I'm focused. Not sure if I'll renew next year.

As Wanda said - there are lots of ways to further your education. In terms of formal learning, look at photo classes at your local community college. I live south of Seattle, and have been taking classes at Green River College. I also recommend joining a camera club. Not sure what part of WA state you are from, but there are about 8 clubs in the Seattle Metro area. (Northwest Council of Camera Clubs.) My dues at the Rainier Hills Photo club in Buckley are $30/year - a screaming deal. The clubs put on an annual convention.

I also take classes on Lynda.com (free via my library card), and YouTube. I had a subscription to Kelby One for a year which really helped me learn Photo editing. I recently attended a 1 day seminar from Scott Kelby in Seattle. It was good.

Decided to go for a Lowepro Photo Classic BP 300 AW. I have the smaller version of it - and it's a great - no nonsense pack. It was 1/2 price - $65 on the Lowepro site.