Finishing up what you started: Printing One's Photography

Who enjoys printing equal to or more than photography? Honestly, I do not consider my mission complete until I can hold prints in my hands. A high resolution monitor is a real treat, but I love seeing my work firsthand, so to speak! Maybe I am not the only one?

The technology with printers has increased steadily over the past several years, but which years are the most significant to you? For me, it was buying my first semi-large format printer: An Epson 3880! I printed 4x6 photos with a few cheaper ink jets, but the 3880 blew me away!

I still do not fully understand the process to print film, which is kind of sad! But considering I used 24 hour photo shops etc, I should not be surprised! Learning more about the process to print film is something I plan to champion. Maybe its a waste of time?

I think people who enjoy the art of printing should share their passion too!

Furthermore, has the POTN Community ever had a print sharing exchange?

Example: a group of people who wish to share their prints with other connoisseurs sign up to join a print list. This group can share photos by more than one fashion: 1. send a person files via email and allow others to print your favorite pictures. 2. send your actual prints to another person via snail-mail. 3. Open to suggestions and ideas?

If the people sharing photos use the same paper etc, then the cost associated by exchanging prints is just about the same as printing one's own stuff and keeping it.

What do people think of a print sharing group? Saying it has not been done and failed miserably!

I started printing back in the 70's, and built two darkrooms, one just black and white and one color. Funny, I don't miss them a bit! But I do enjoy seeing my pictures on my wall. I am a hobbyist, not a pro, but to me, the experience really isn't complete until I can see a finished print. I had a Pixma Pro 9000 MK II, and then got a Pro 100, and the quality is very good. I sometimes lust after a large format printer, but I am just about out of wall space at home. 13" x 19" prints double matted (I cut my own) and framed in an 18" x 24" frame are plenty big enough for my house.

When the company I work for bought a larger building, I was asked if I would hang some pictures. Even though I had smaller prints in my office for a long time, when people saw the framed prints, they were quite impressed. I do think that the finished print is the logical end point for a good picture.

I am one of those folks that question the fiscal wisdom of an amateur photographer printing his own stuff.
There are simply too many professional printing companies out there that do a better job than I could conceive of doing.
And they, in the long run, are more cost effective.

I compete in Print competitions with a couple of camera clubs, county fair and the Photographic Society of America so end up producing 25-35 prints upto 13" x 19" in size.

Unless it is a mail in competition I mat all the prints. Printing and matting is all done at home, my mat cutter paid for itself the first 5 months I had it over the cost of precut or custom cut mats from the local art stores.

Since starting to buy my inks online it has cut the cost of printing to about half of what I would pay the photo labs to do it, and I avoid the annoyance of having my work color corrected even when I request that they don't.

I just wish there was an easy way to do digital exposure in a home wet darkroom, especially for monochrome prints. I use a lab that digitally prints on Ilford B&W papers, and they are just so much better than anything I have seen come off an inkjet printer, or even printing monochrome on colour photographic paper. I had one done on Ilford Baryta paper I think it's the best B&W print I have ever had any involvement in. I'd quite like to be able to do digital to Cibachrome too, that would be my perfect home setup.

Alan

If it was just about the money it might not be worthwhile. I'm an amateur. While I'm certainly not averse to making money with my hobby it isn't the prime motivator for why I'm doing it.
When I had a B&W darkroom it wasn't about money either.
As far as cost goes I just got a Canon Pro-100 earlier in the week. After the rebate and including the value of the 13x19 package of paper that was part of the deal I'm into it for about $100 for the printer. It may not be a lab grade professional/commercia​l printer but it outputs a pretty darn nice picture if I feed it a good image. I suspect I can sell enough prints just to my sailing friends to keep me in paper and ink for my own gratification.

Heya,

We print our photos, my house is wall to wall frames and we rotate in new photos over time. I help keep my local print store (Harmon's in Gainesville) busy.

Very best,

Like Yno I started printing back in the '70's too - first in college, then a homemade darkroom, then a "kitchen" darkroom, and when I got married my wife pointed out that it was really a kitchen. From that point on I used commercial labs. The wet darkroom was a lot of fun but I don't miss them either. I love the convenience of being able to jump in and out of Photo Shop for a few minutes and then make 13" x 19" prints on my Epson 3880 if I feel they're worthy of the effort.

For years I foolishly cut my own mats with an xacto knife and metal ruler and ruined many sheets of museum board. There was no way I could cut a bevel with that method. I finally got smarter in 2007 and bought a large Logan 750 mat cutter and have saved a ton of money between and purchasing the Neilson metal frames. I've standardized my work to either 16 x 20 or 20 x 24 frames, store a quantity in cabinets, and then slide new work in when I'm mounting a new show or entering an exhibition.

photohistorian wrote in post #17692844
Who enjoys printing equal to or more than photography? Honestly, I do not consider my mission complete until I can hold prints in my hands. A high resolution monitor is a real treat, but I love seeing my work firsthand, so to speak! Maybe I am not the only one? ......

You certainly are not the only one Photohistorian . Nicely displayed wall photos, exhibitions, museum shows.... all are a wonderful way to appreciate fine art. Also I see we are on opposite sides of Cleveland - I'm over in Lyndhurst. By any chance are you involved with the Erie Shores Photo Club over in Avon? I'm not a member myself but have judged there.

sapearl wrote in post #17695448
For years I foolishly cut my own mats with an xacto knife and metal ruler and ruined many sheets of museum board. There was no way I could cut a bevel with that method. I finally got smarter in 2007 and bought a large Logan 750 mat cutter.

I've got the same Logan and it really does make life a LOT easier.

EnglishBob wrote in post #17695493
I've got the same Logan and it really does make life a LOT easier.

TOTALLY agree Bob - it's an absolutely wonderful machine.

My biggest mistake was being a cheapskate and not purchasing it years earlier. Finally a 33% off coupon convinced me to buy it at the local Dick Blix art supply store. I don't really enjoy the mat cutting portion of the whole photography journey - rather be out shooting and then processing the photos - but I "batch mat" a couple of times a year since the Logan uses a fair amount of space when assembled so it's not too bad that way.

I'm not a member of the club, but I will investigate. Thanks for the heads up!

photohistorian wrote in post #17695624
I'm not a member of the club, but I will investigate. Thanks for the heads up!

They're a pleasant group of folks and meet regularly at the Avon Public Library.

Thanks for sharing SA!

Also, thanks to all who shared about their fashion for printing. It might just be cheaper to pay for film printing. I don't have a large enough room to dedicate as a darkroom.

I love printing! I bought an Epson 7600 24" printer a little over a year ago and I have printed everything on it...Banners, Canvas, all kinds of paper...I agree, I don't feel like a photo is finished until I see the print.