Art Print Issues by Barney Davey

Resource for Visual Artists & Photographers Who Do Their Own Printing

A question visual artists and photographers often ponder is should they print their own work. The answer varies depending on the person. The most pertinent questions revolve around equipment (new/refurbished), software, expenses, savings, convenience, training, knowledge, affinity, time consumption and obsolescence. The last consideration is the ROI (Return on Investment.)

Since I know quite a few of those who operate professional printing services for artists and how intense the work is at their level, my inclination is to let them do the printing so artists can concentrate more on making art and marketing. My opinion on this subject, which I believe is informed, also undoubtedly is biased and certainly not applicable in all cases.

There is no unconvincing the committed

I have had many discussions with artists contemplating whether to print their own work. The result is I have not convinced even one to forego their plans to jump into the process. It has been cause to avoid such conversations because I already know the outcome. Apparently, when the printing bug bites an artist or photographer, there is no cure or turning back.

If you are on the side of printing for yourself, use the best resources to make the best prints

Great resources are available by merely Googling questions about making giclees and digital fine art printing. You will find lively active forums and discussion groups organized around digital printing. There is the bible of business, Mastering Digital Printing, Second Edition (Digital Process and Print), by Harald Johnson. He is a true pioneer in digital printing and his book is a must for those serious about the craft of digital printing.

Whether you call your work a giclee or digital fine art print, fine art photographic print, convergent media or something else, it does not matter. What does matter is if you use a digital printer for the end result of making prints no matter the name, and you are in charge of the outcome, you simply cannot have too much information about getting the work right.

Sometimes it takes little experience to recognize a real gem

This post is to alert those of you committed to doing your own printing about 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques: An Essential Printing Resource for Photographers (Digital Process and Print). The book is another “must have” resource. If you are a visual artist or photographer who already has the equipment or is getting ready to jump into the process, do yourself a favor and get this book. 

Andrew Darlow is the author. The many images from his own work that help illustrate the book are proof he is a consummate professional photographer. You will find the information he provides is invaluable. A mere scan is enough to let you know his attention to detail and thoughtfulness in approaching his work as an author is equal to his incomparable photography skills. The extensive use of color images throughout the book make it a visual treat for anyone who enjoys creative imagery.

Feast on the visual imagery while you learn from some of the best in the business

Visual artists will find the useful insightful information in this book just as valuable as any photographer will. The book covers the gamut from making decisions on which printer is best for your needs to Photoshop techniques and printing techniques, color management, image capture and media selection.

You only need apply just one or two advanced techniques to make the purchase worthwhile. If you save time and cost from reprinting just one fewer proof, or sell just one more print because the lighting was brilliant, then the book pays for itself. It is inconceivable you would only find a couple of useful tips when page after page is loaded with advice and suggestions you can use right now to become a better printer. Order a copy today, I am sure you will be glad you did.

Making Fine Art Prints - Perspective from a Photographer

Whether you are making digital fine art prints from photographs shot with the intention of recreating them as prints, photographs or scans of original 2D flat art, or creating something wholly digital through the array of tools for such purposes, you still need a way to get the product of your creativity on some substrate, usually paper or canvas.

There are different paths depending on where you start in the creative process. For photographers, it's going to be different from painters. This post is to alert you to a series of blog posts on fine art printing from Brian Auer, a San Diego based photographer. This description is taken from his website:

Brian Auer is a photography enthusiast from San Diego, California. He's also the guy behind the Epic Edits Weblog. As a hobbyist photographer since 2003, his passion has been to constantly improve his photography skill set, to share his own knowledge with others, and to become an integral part of the photographic community.

Brian is proof positive that one turned on person can make a difference. His Feedburner subscriber shows nearly 6,500 other enthusiasts share his passion for photography. To get that many subscribers, it takes more than passion. One has to impart knowledge, wisdom and insight in such a way that others want to tap into it. He serves a great role model for anyone looking to build a following, a Tribe, as Seth Godin accurately calls them in his bestselling book, Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us.

To give his readers easily digestible amounts of information, Brian has broken his article on Making Fine Art Prints into four parts. I am sure you will find it worth the time to review his thoughts on this subject. While you are on his site, check out the rest of what he offers his readers. There is a reason he has a large following.

While what he offers in the way of advice and insight is solid, it won't apply across the board to every artist. Nevertheless, there is useful information in his series of posts on making fine art prints. Perhaps just as importantly, there is much to be gained from studying how an self-proclaimed amateur photographer can carve out a meaningful place against the Internet's constantly changing means of putting together like minded folks. Bravo to Brian!