Everything about art photography printing
We have to admit, the continuous push of modern technology has faded out some concepts, like photography. The birth of photography and the invention of the camera turned people into a frenzy. They finally had a way of keeping moments frozen in time through captured photos. Then, the Internet came and photography had trouble keeping up. From photo papers, we have a brand new way of capturing snaps which we can share globally, anytime and anywhere.
But some of us have a love for vintage and physicality. While most people choose to just snap and upload photos online, we cannot deny that there is a little tug in our hearts when we get to hold a copy of our photos between our fingers. While the practice has noticeably vanished, the bright side is that photo printing has become an even more special way of keeping our photos. There is a greater appreciation for photo prints and art photos.
Art photos are nothing like the common snap and frame process of classic photography. It involves meticulous processes in order to produce the highest quality of photo prints, worthy of art galleries.
First, Photo Editing
One of the best gifts technology has given us is photo editing and the ability to create adjustment layers over your original image. Professional editing tools have allowed us to wield unlimited power to adjust photos in ways that convey our own style and mood. This is incredibly important for photographers, particularly those whose focus is on landscapes. The ability to adjust the light and enhance the colors makes all the difference. Editing tools also open the possibilities for black and white photography, giving artists a bigger toolbox to convey their style.
When choosing a photo-editing software, you should take advantage of the one month trial option for the software. By using the software for a month, you will know if it is the one that can meet your personal editing needs. The array of buttons and menus can certainly be confusing at the beginning, but there are tons of video tutorials available online that can help familiarize you with any software. As always, practice is the best way to master any skill.
Deciding the Type of Print
While most of us have a home printer that can accomplish the usual printouts, like paperwork, you cannot just take a photo and print them when you are involved in a photo exhibit. There are different types of print for art photography and for particular preferences:
- Chromogenic Print - this is most commonly used in colored photography. The classic negatives are used to produce the image by light exposure while in a darkroom. The modernize process of this is the digital Type C print which employs LED exposure with the digital capture of the image.
- Inkjet Print–the common household printer is used for inkjet printing. Naturally, high-end printers produce better quality photos, but there are limitations to this process. What gives this an edge is that there is a multitude of computer-generated colors that inkjet printers can print. This is also a more eco-friendly process than chromogenic printing.
- Giclée- very similar to inkjet printing, but this method is suited for larger and thicker outputs. It sprays pigments (rather than dye) in microscopic dots, resulting in more concentrated and detailed photo prints. Color accuracy is achieved through 8 or 12-color printers.
Choosing the Paper
There are a lot of materials to choose from when it comes to where you will be printing an image. . There’s the standard store-bought paper, canvas, watercolor papers, metals, fabric, etc. The most common choices are the first three. However, bold artistssometimes choose to print on other materials.
Of course, for different print materials, specific printing processes are needed to achieve the best results. There is no specific print process that works on all materials. Inks or dyes might not transfer at high resolutions or they might not last as long.
Frame Them Up
Framing photos is not only done for decorative purposes, but also to add protection to your photos. By framing your photos you can keep it free from dust and other agents that can cause them to fade or discolor over time.
You can opt for the usual photo frames or you can have your photos encased in Perspex.This means that an acrylic glass is placed on top of the photo for protection and to give it an embossed look. There are other options like Sintra boards and dibond aluminum, etc.
For amateurs, research is the best practice. Even better if you know a photo printing expert who can mentor you about the different types and materials. Explore your choices, look for inspiration, and search for samples so you know how each of them looks and works like in reality.
The beauty of photo prints does not only lie in the actual moment captured, but also the presentation.