This week, TWiP co-host Don Komarechka and I hook-up again to talk about printing, a passion we both share.
Here are the points discussed:
– Why print?
– A photo isn’t truly done until it’s printed
– Helps to hone your craft
– How big can you print an image from a typical digital file?
– Choices of paper: discuss our favourites and why
– Do it yourself or get someone else to to do it?
– How much does a good printer cost? Paper & ink?
– How big do you go?
– Expect to waste money and consumables while learning
– Colour Management
– Screen & Printer
– What does spending more on calibration gear get you?
– Why it’s necessary – prints come out too dark!
– Soft-proofing
And here are some of the images that I mentioned during our conversation…
5 Meter Wide Wall Mural
Here’s a photo of me with that 24×48″ print that I mentioned. This was from a 10 megapixel image, embiggened in Perfect Resize.
Martin with 2 x 4 Foot Print
Here’s the comparison between five of Breathing Color’s papers — All excellent papers, but reflectiveness is something to bear in mind, especially if you’ll be framing under glass or perspex, which adds another layer of reflectivity, unless you go for anti-glare glass. I actually just really like matte prints anyway, and Optica One, on the very left here is my favorite. Just look how deep those blacks are and how rich the rest of the colors are!! From left to right these are Optica One, Elegance Velvet, Vibrance Rag, Vibrance Luster and Vibrance Gloss . My favorite gloss paper is Vibrance Rag, the middle one.
Paper Samples
By the way, if you buy anything from Breathing Color, use the code MBP20 for a $20 discount off any order of $20 or more.
And I thought I’d throw this in for good measure. My Canon imagePROGRAF iPF6350 printing out a couple of profile charts.
Printing Printer Profiling Targets
Here are the three main tiers in X-Rite’s line up – from left to right, the ColorMunki Photo, the i1 Pro 2 and the i1 Display Pro.
X-Rite Calibration Product Comparison
Support Don’t Snowflake book here, and more importantly get your own copy, or one of the other great value packages!
You can pick up my Craft & Vision ebook, Making the Print – Printing Techniques for the Digital Photographer – A MASTERCLASS here.
You can also read the article I mentioned, “Why Resolution Matters, But Doesn’t Matter”, in Craft & Vision’s digital magazine, PHOTOGRAPH Issue #2.
Show Notes
See Don’s work here: http://www.donkom.ca/
Help fund the Snowflake Book: http://igg.me/at/skycrystals/
Music by UniqueTracks
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14 Comments
Charlie
Posted at 06:59h, 04 AprilThanks for the great podcast. A bit off topic but when getting a framed matted do you like to have the paper showing? Like a 1/4″ or 1/2″ “paper boarder” within the matting or do you have the mat right up against the picture edge?
Martin Bailey
Posted at 09:19h, 04 AprilGood questions Charlie.
Whether I leave some paper showing depends on whether or not the image is signed. If it’s signed, I leave enough space around the printed area to show the signature. If not, I matte right up to the edge of the print.
I’m pleased you enjoyed this Podcast!
Charlie
Posted at 23:33h, 05 AprilThanks Martin 🙂 So when signed you just leave a bit of space on the bottom or is it an equal amount on all sides?
Robert Linthicum
Posted at 03:28h, 06 AprilVery informative, first-rate podcast, as always. Thanks!
As a D2HS shooter (not my only body, but tends to be with me), Perfect Resize has been a godsend.
http://www.strangelyindifferent.com
Martin Bailey
Posted at 13:14h, 06 AprilThanks Robert! I’m pleased you enjoyed this.
Rick Sneath
Posted at 08:52h, 06 AprilHi Martin,
Great podcast. I have been using an iPF6350 printer for about a year now and have never heard about the ” Lightroom driver setting for new versions of LR4″ as you discussed in the podcast.
If you could point me to some info regarding this I would be very greatful, or if it’s in your “making the print” e- book, I will purchase that.
I’m on a PC using LR4 and PS CS5 if it is platform specific.
Thanks again Martin.
Martin Bailey
Posted at 13:15h, 06 AprilHi Rick,
I’m pleased you enjoyed this!
I should have been more specific, in that the double profiling issue only affects Mac users, so you’re off the hook. 🙂
For any Mac users, information on this is here: http://canonipf.wikispaces.com/message/view/FAQ/40389067
Cheers,
Martin.
Terry Babij
Posted at 07:01h, 11 AprilGreat show, 2 of my favorite photo geeks!
I too love printing. A question about signing images. When I mat and frame my printed work. Is it appropriate to sign the print on the photo or is it better to leave white space and sign there. A different story with Canvas wraps.
I have been using a Gold or Silver ink type gel pen with nice results.
Keep up the great work.
Martin Bailey
Posted at 14:38h, 11 AprilThanks Terry!
I personally sign on the white, and leave a border around the image in the matte, but this is entirely up to you. Some people sign over the photo, and if required to do so, I’d be OK with that too. And yes, as you say, I sign directly over the printed area for gallery wraps. I use white, silver or black, depending on the colors I’m signing over.
Cheers,
Martin.
Larry Borreson
Posted at 09:28h, 11 AprilProbably one of the best shows since I’ve been listening to you.
Don verified something I always suspected; that is as ISO goes up, Dynamic Range goes down.
Although very subjective, would you be able to elaborate, on a future show, when we might choose a matte paper over a lustre, or canvas, etc?
Keep up the great shows. Your podcast is like a weekly visit from one of my photo friends. 😉
Martin Bailey
Posted at 15:19h, 11 AprilThanks Larry!
As a quick guide, I choose matte by default, basically because I love the look of matte photos. Reasons to consider though are as I mentioned in this episode, that matte paper under glass actually looks quite glossy anyway, but if you frame gloss paper under glass it can be highly reflective.
If I go for a gloss, it’s usually the slightly textured Vibrance Rag from Breathing Color. It’s a beautiful baryta coated paper. And I personally rarely use a fully smooth gloss, but they can look nice.
I use canvas of course when creating a gallery wrap, but unlike Don, I use the matte Lyve Canvas, rather than gloss. Again, I just prefer matte and low reflections. It’s really just personal preference.
Cheers,
Martin.
t.linn
Posted at 05:54h, 17 JuneYou’ve talked about those giant prints you made for the lunchroom before but actually seeing them that big is…wow. How fun!
Shane
Posted at 14:38h, 19 Mayembiggened? Love it. Thanks for the podcast. It’s helped us a lot.
Martin Bailey
Posted at 15:32h, 19 MayYou’re welcome Shane. Thanks for listening.
Embiggening; it really is a word! 🙂
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/embiggen