I was a guinea pig--amazing custom printing job!

DavidTO

Yep, it's true, I was a test case.

Marc Muench, the master landscape photographer used me to test out the possibilities of providing custom printing for pros. High-end, custom, under the eyes of a pro (who's overseen color on huge printing runs of his books, among other things) printing. Pretty cool, eh?

Well, let me tell you, the results are stupendous. Yes, his color his spot on, and the print is beautiful. On top of that, he offered me a type of mounting that I had never heard of before -- aluminum mount. My print is mounted on what looks to be about 1/4" of aluminum for an ultra-smooth mount. On top of my photo is a glossy laminate, which just makes the picture look oh-so-luscious.

The photo he printed is this one:



And my really lousy photo of it freshly hung in my office:



It really doesn't do it justice, really. It's beautifully printed and mounted. Yeah, I like my print, but I have to tell you, I never imagined it would be presented so nicely.

The shop that mounted it on aluminum is Finishing Concepts in LA. The print is 32x50. The mounting/lamination/etc. came to $450, approx.

Anyway, a big :thumb

Nikolai

DavidTO wrote:

Yep, it's true, I was a test case.
...
Anyway, a big

WOW!
to both of you!

schmoo

Wow, very nice job even though a photo of a framed photo never is anywhere close to showing off how nice it is.

Of course, good choice of image for the test run.

Will we hear more from Marc about the feasibility of this?

SloYerRoll

Congrats on being the pilot TO!

I can imagine how incredible thios print really looks due to your (normally unsweetened ) enthusiasm!

I'm more interested in the printing process than the mounting.

Marc Muench

Hey everyone,

We are setting up a studio with all the latest equipment and plan on offering printing services to all. We have no secrets in our printing process, simply tried and true archival processes combined with our experienced color workflow. The key to what we will be offering is our personal oversight into each and every job. I will be the first to post when the doors officially open. We are shootin for the winter

DavidTO

SloYerRoll wrote:

Congrats on being the pilot TO!

I can imagine how incredible thios print really looks due to your (normally unsweetened ) enthusiasm!

I'm more interested in the printing process than the mounting.

I think if you saw the mounting in person, rather than through that lousy shot of mine, your interest would even up. It's really a stunning presentation.

DavidTO

I think the best way to describe the mounting is like this:

You know how when you go to the beach, and the shells and rocks you find look so beautiful, and you take them home, and they're dull and boring, since they dried out? My other prints look like they've dried out next to this one, which looks oh so wet and beautiful, like I just picked it up out of the surf.

jamesl

DavidTO wrote:

Yep, it's true, I was a test case.

Wow David and Marc! That is awesome! Definately a service I'd be interested in using for some of my prints. Looking forward to more info.

James

OffTopic

DavidTO wrote:

I think the best way to describe the mounting is like this:

You know how when you go to the beach, and the shells and rocks you find look so beautiful, and you take them home, and they're dull and boring, since they dried out? My other prints look like they've dried out next to this one, which looks oh so wet and beautiful, like I just picked it up out of the surf.

Mmmmm....wet....can't wait to hear more!

Phyxius

Yes, the print is gorgeous, but that photo is also awesome! It took me a while to find the tiny, little person. Talk about perspective! Cool shot and what appears to be a wonderful, quality print!

DavidTO

Phyxius wrote:

Yes, the print is gorgeous, but that photo is also awesome! It took me a while to find the tiny, little person. Talk about perspective! Cool shot and what appears to be a wonderful, quality print!

That tiny person is Marc Muench shooting the same scene. Andy was sitting right next to me.

lynnesite

Way cool!

DoctorIt

that is really freaking cool. good analogy with the sea shells, btw.



Oh, your keyboard looks like it has a disease, maybe you could clean that up or something...

gluwater

Looks beautiful David. Are you bringing it on the trip for us to see in person ? I'm interestd in the finsh. You mention it is laminated, is it glossy? If so do you have to place your lights carefully? My sister bought a large print and I believe it has a similar finish to your print. Her only problem with hanging it is trying to find a location where there is not a lot of glare from windows. Any suggestions on lighting?

DavidTO

gluwater wrote:

Looks beautiful David. Are you bringing it on the trip for us to see in person ? I'm interestd in the finsh. You mention it is laminated, is it glossy? If so do you have to place your lights carefully? My sister bought a large print and I believe it has a similar finish to your print. Her only problem with hanging it is trying to find a location where there is not a lot of glare from windows. Any suggestions on lighting?

It's glossy, but it doesn't have to be. You could do matte, just as easy.

The lighting is tough in my office, and since I'm not paying the rent on it, I'm not about to start moving the lights around in it. I don't have any good solutions for glare, sorry. Oh, and I'm not coming to Glacier after all. :cry

gluwater

DavidTO wrote:

Oh, and I'm not coming to Glacier after all. :cry

Boooo!!!!! :cry

lynnesite

DavidTO wrote:

Oh, and I'm not coming to Glacier after all. :cry

What??!

Marc Muench

gluwater wrote:

Looks beautiful David. Are you bringing it on the trip for us to see in person ? I'm interestd in the finsh. You mention it is laminated, is it glossy? If so do you have to place your lights carefully? My sister bought a large print and I believe it has a similar finish to your print. Her only problem with hanging it is trying to find a location where there is not a lot of glare from windows. Any suggestions on lighting?

The best way to solve the glare problem is light the piece with about a 20 degree spot about 10 feet away and only 15-20 degree angle. Of course this should be done in a room with few windows. Is all this worth it? I think it is spectaclur for some images that need the "glowing wet seashell effect" as David so eloquently states. However, the matt art paper style is equally compelling and has the impression of "fine art" if that makes any sense
I think the assumption is that glossy = place matts, and matt = quality. However, when it comes to personal taste you should go for what lights your candles