David_Manning
Well-known
There is no substitute for seeing your photograph on the printed page, or in print in whatever form. It's something that a 72dpi scan could never duplicate (even though you can't email a print yet 
That being said, I just want to publicly declare my new goal...to print more of my images.
I think printing four or five 8x10s or 8x12s a month is not overkill, whether wet printing or scanning and light jet printing.
My plan is to just keep an archival print box with these small enlargements and pull them out and look at them on occasion, the way photos were meant to be seen.
Any other opinions out there? Maybe I can talk somebody else into doing the same thing for the love of our art.
That being said, I just want to publicly declare my new goal...to print more of my images.
I think printing four or five 8x10s or 8x12s a month is not overkill, whether wet printing or scanning and light jet printing.
My plan is to just keep an archival print box with these small enlargements and pull them out and look at them on occasion, the way photos were meant to be seen.
Any other opinions out there? Maybe I can talk somebody else into doing the same thing for the love of our art.
dave lackey
Veteran
There is no substitute for seeing your photograph on the printed page, or in print in whatever form. It's something that a 72dpi scan could never duplicate (even though you can't email a print yet
That being said, I just want to publicly declare my new goal...to print more of my images.
I think printing four or five 8x10s or 8x12s a month is not overkill, whether wet printing or scanning and light jet printing.
My plan is to just keep an archival print box with these small enlargements and pull them out and look at them on occasion, the way photos were meant to be seen.
Any other opinions out there? Maybe I can talk somebody else into doing the same thing for the love of our art.
Way to go, David!
Nothing like a tangible image you hold in your hand and if done right, it just doesn't get any better...unless of course you are projecting slides for viewing!
thegf
Established
i would gladly join you in this undertaking.. as soon as my darkroom is operational.
acheyj
Well-known
Way to go !.
Have always maintained a photograph does not exist till its printed on paper.
ron
Have always maintained a photograph does not exist till its printed on paper.
ron
FrankS
Registered User
Very inspirational, David! Your declaration may help me do the same.
ctham
Member
David, I'm going to share your post and hopefully get more people to do the same I have intentions to do the same, albeit via inkjet, and have bought enough paper to last a few months. Reading your post just made me want to start sooner!
I have intentions to do the same, albeit via inkjet, and have bought enough paper to last a few months. Reading your post just made me want to start sooner!
StefanJozef
Well-known
This is the way to go David. I scan negs into RFF but consider printing the main thrust of my photographic activity. Nothing beats seeing an image coming up in the developing tray. Wet prints always look better than scans into a computer.
cnphoto
Well-known
Excellent! Everybody should print more IMO.
I've just picked up 3 ink cartridges for an EPSON 3800 that needed replacing so I can do this myself the printer is on an extended loan from a friend so having just picked up some paper as well - it's time to get printing.
I've just picked up 3 ink cartridges for an EPSON 3800 that needed replacing so I can do this myself
the printer is on an extended loan from a friend so having just picked up some paper as well - it's time to get printing.
smiling gecko
pure dumb luck, my friend
i'm in!!!
i'm in!!!
i'm in!!!
i really like the notion of an archival print box...for me, once they go in an album the next step is - onto a book shelf. from there...
i have recently started leaving an occasional album by the tv or on a counter near the kitchen. i like the idea of an archival print box because i will - or someone visiting - will be able to pick up and hold a print to view it. this is much better.
great idea, great inspiration and a great challenge!!!
breathe, relax and enjoy.
sg, aka smiling gecko, aka kenneth
i'm in!!!
i'm in!!!
i really like the notion of an archival print box...for me, once they go in an album the next step is - onto a book shelf. from there...
i have recently started leaving an occasional album by the tv or on a counter near the kitchen. i like the idea of an archival print box because i will - or someone visiting - will be able to pick up and hold a print to view it. this is much better.
great idea, great inspiration and a great challenge!!!
breathe, relax and enjoy.
sg, aka smiling gecko, aka kenneth
cambolt
Green Spotted Nose Turtle
I'd love to start printing myself...
Alas, I don't have any room that could be made completely dark, and I'm not likely to have one or many years
Alas, I don't have any room that could be made completely dark, and I'm not likely to have one or many years
PMCC
Late adopter.
One of the few things in photography that beats a silver print that you can touch, feel, smell, view at whatever distance or angle you like, and that would be a box of them. A box of 8x10s is a worthy personal goal for any photographer; a box of well-printed 11x14s could be a treasured legacy.
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Chris101
summicronia
I used to have a darkroom at home, but it has been decommissioned for years. So now I print at my local community college's photo lab. $65 a semester gets me access to a full darkroom with printing, toning, mounting facilities, as well as peer critiques and portfolio reviews from local and visiting artists. It's quite the deal.
In addition to all my projects, books and framed prints, I have a 13 inch high stack of unmounted prints just waiting to be done-up. Time seems to be the issue though.
Yeah, I'll continue to print (mostly wet and some computer) my pictures.
Nikonsnapper
Member
Yes, I have been thinking the same. I was on the lookout for an enlarger and have just found someone that has one. I already develop the film, so all I need now is some paper and chemicals.
robert blu
quiet photographer
Yes, for me a photo is "made" when printed. I'm satisfied from the results of my 9180 after the learning curve and for sure I'll print at least a few pictures from any photo session. Strong editing is required!
robert
robert
robbeiflex
Well-known
After two years of shooting film regularly, and only scanning, I finally have my darkroom set up and have made my first prints, one test and one as a gift. It's amazing !!!
I also learned that I have a lot to learn. I too will be printing a lot more in the near future.
Cheers,
Rob
I also learned that I have a lot to learn. I too will be printing a lot more in the near future.
Cheers,
Rob
David_Manning
Well-known
I'm glad other photographers feel the same way about this. It may be why my shooting has been less-than-inspirational lately, with an over-fixation on gear issues.
I hope that when I see my work printed, I'll concentrate on the image, and perhaps the memory or story of the image, instead of "noise, chromatic aberration, size/weight" and other excuses for uninspired work.
By the way, I think these prints will mostly be digital, but what the hell...the idea is still solid in my mind
I hope that when I see my work printed, I'll concentrate on the image, and perhaps the memory or story of the image, instead of "noise, chromatic aberration, size/weight" and other excuses for uninspired work.
By the way, I think these prints will mostly be digital, but what the hell...the idea is still solid in my mind
SciAggie
Well-known
I have been feeling the need to have more prints done as well. I don't know, but for me it is almost a measure of the value that I personally put on an image - is it good enough to print? I have a few images that I am making now that I like enough to want to print and enjoy in a physical way. If that makes any sense...
semrich
Well-known
When I first got into this whole photography thing I took digital pictures, posted them on the forum and learned a lot looking at photos and giving and getting comments about them.
The first time I stumbled into a place here that did inkjet printing while walking back from shooting with the M8, I took the SD card out and asked the owner if he could make a print (he has top of the line Epson printers and is a photographer himself) he asked which one, what size, and what quality paper. I said A3 and your best paper. It's difficult to describe the feeling of holding that print in my hands, it was kind of like "now I'm a photographer."
Since then I've switched to film, digital only when needed for a workshop, and mostly having inkjet prints made to hang at home, and considering to get my own inkjet printer. Then up pops the opportunity to join a forum member and a few others sharing the rent for a darkroom. Now it is even more difficult to describe the feeling of being engaged completely in the entire process, shooting, developing, printing, and finally holding that silver gelatin print in my hands. Without question I will keep printing, as many prints as I can when I find time to spend in the darkroom.
The first time I stumbled into a place here that did inkjet printing while walking back from shooting with the M8, I took the SD card out and asked the owner if he could make a print (he has top of the line Epson printers and is a photographer himself) he asked which one, what size, and what quality paper. I said A3 and your best paper. It's difficult to describe the feeling of holding that print in my hands, it was kind of like "now I'm a photographer."
Since then I've switched to film, digital only when needed for a workshop, and mostly having inkjet prints made to hang at home, and considering to get my own inkjet printer. Then up pops the opportunity to join a forum member and a few others sharing the rent for a darkroom. Now it is even more difficult to describe the feeling of being engaged completely in the entire process, shooting, developing, printing, and finally holding that silver gelatin print in my hands. Without question I will keep printing, as many prints as I can when I find time to spend in the darkroom.