Week Four - Ten Print Challenge
Finally, you are ready to print! Now the question is: What paper should I print on? There are so many choices of papers and processes, it can be overwhelming.
For this challenge, you should make paper prints and avoid options like metal, canvas, and other exotic processes. You don’t have to print on any fancy papers—there are economical choices at most labs and when printing at home.
Luster papers make a great print, are economical, and they hide your fingerprints better than gloss paper. I’ve seen hundreds of thousands of prints on luster, since it was the most requested surface when I owned a lab. Fuji Luster, Kodak E-Surface, Canon Luster, and Epson Luster all make beautiful prints, and are the most economical option for this product.
More advanced photographers might want to use this challenge to explore a different paper as part of the challenge. If you are printing at home, you can upgrade to a speciality paper for just a dollar or two more per print. For my personal work, I print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Baryta 315gsm, and that cost is worth it for me. It has a greater depth and beauty than I can get with luster, and allows me to enjoy the print more—that enjoyment is part of the reward of printing. Some of my other favorite papers include Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308 when I want a softer feel with a smooth surface, or Hahnemuhle Museum Etching when I want a little more paper texture.
When you get your prints back, post a picture of them to the challenge’s Facebook group. Tell the others what you think of your final prints, and your experiences, good and bad. If you run into problems or questions, email me, and I’ll try to incorporate it into the wrap-up post.
The point of this challenge is to learn, so don’t expect to be 100% happy with every print. Use the experience to learn and see where your skills and knowledge can grow. I suspect you’ve learned a few things already that will make you a better photographer.
I’ll be looking for your Facebook posts and working on the wrap-up post for next week.