Buyers’ guide
Buyers’ guide
Get yourself into print
Your photographic journey doesn’t end until your very best pictures are in print. Whether you choose to display those images in a photo book, on the wall or in a portfolio – get printing
For those who prefer to stick with being hands on, there are huge possibilities via home printing. The plus point is that we’re in control every step of the way. Home photo printers can produce A3+ or A2 prints and are designed to be easy to use and accept a broad range of media. So we can take our pick between textured paper, a lustre finish or high gloss. While it can be worth standardising on a couple of finishes, try new ones to see how they behave with your favourite shots. Check out the stunning selection featured in this buyers’ guide. “IMAGE CAPTURE SHOULD BE JUST THE START”
we have wonderful presents for family and friends. Whichever products we choose as best befitting our shots, there’s a huge choice of excellent output services out there. Some of our favourites are featured in this handy guide. Printing specialists, photo book printers and wall art producers are all represented here. One thing they have in common is a slick online presence, making remote ordering straightforward. In the case of book printers, free layout design software is usually available for download, or there might be the option of working online without installing software. When it comes to print, colour profiles may be a matter concerning us, but it needn’t. Output services will have details on dealing with this, even providing custom profiles to download.
WORDS BY WILL CHEUNG
IT’S WONDERFUL BEING out there with the camera and capturing great photographs – and rewarding when we’re back home enjoying the results on a big monitor. After a few edits and posting on photo streams, for many photographers that’s where it ends. But there’s so much more we can do with our pictures. The actual image capture should be the start of a creative journey, culminating with our first-rate work hanging on the wall, looking great in our portfolio or printed in a lavish photo book. The above examples aren’t mutually exclusive, of course – there are many presentation avenues to explore. For example, go the photo gift route and
SHOW OFF Get thinking about how to make the most of your best images
Hahnemühle › hahnemuehle.co.uk
CEWE › cewe.co.uk
CEWE offers photo gifts, wall art and regular prints. But it’s best known for its photo books and a broad range of paper and finishing options, with the books professionally printed and quality checked here in the UK. To make the most of your great pictures, treat yourself and go for a large or extra-large photo book, available in landscape, portrait or square. The large landscape book measures 28x21cm and offers up to 178 pages, with prices starting from £21.99. If you want to push the boat out, go for CEWE’s biggest book in the XXL size, with prices starting
from £59.99. Each page measures 38x29cm, which will show off your skills nicely. Plus, if you pick the photographic paper option, you get layflat binding that’s perfect for panoramic images. CEWE’s Creator Software is free to download – and available for Mac and Windows with a large selection of designs. There’s the option of going for a theme such as baby, holiday, travel and recipe. If preferred, its books can be created online – no need to install software – while projects are stored for six months. To check out the many choices, visit CEWE’s easy-to-use website.
Even the most discerning image maker will find something to tempt them among the 30 offerings in Hahnemühle’s Digital FineArt Collection. Its high-performing materials are among the best money can buy. A recent Hahnemühle innovation is its FineArt Inkjet Photo Cards range, the recipient of a TIPA World Award this year. Eleven of its most popular papers are available in 30-sheet packs of 7x5in or A5, supplied in a smart metal presentation box. Perfect for photo presents, self-promotion or as a mini mobile portfolio, a tin of A5 Photo Rag Baryta 315gsm costs around £32. This high-gloss paper gives prints an elegant sheen without glare and, in being acid- and lignin-free, has impressive archival credentials. Moving away from its Photo Cards, Hahnemühle’s Natural Line has been making positive headlines recently. This set of four inkjet papers is produced from sustainable plants: bamboo, agave, hemp and sugar cane. The materials’ rapid growth and lower reliance on water saves resources and helps protect the environment. Prices start from £102 for a 25-sheet A3 box of Hemp 290, and the fine art matte finish looks great framed.
Issue 109 | Photography News 21
photographynews.co.uk
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