“The negative is the equivalent of the composer's score, and the print the performance.”
–Ansel Adams
Fine Art Photo Printing
In the less than ten years since smartphones, which are now basically pocket computers, became permanently on or near us, our consumption of content has undergone a radical shift. We no longer read paper books; we read eBooks on Kindles or iPads. We no longer consume most of our cinema at the theatre; we watch it at home on TVs and laptops. Widely popular week-to-week network/cable television is now almost a relic; instead we binge stream. And photography? We no longer go to the local drugstore to pick up a set of prints from our latest roll of film. We view everything on screens; there are more images produced today than at any other point in history, yet less are viewed on physical media than ever before.
Displays are flat and two-dimensional. Prints on high quality papers have a huge potential envelope as to how they display the image. I use: ultra high gloss, semi-gloss hot press, lustre, pearl, metallic, etching, woven canvas, and mould-made watercolor paper. That doesn’t even include specialized prints and alternative processes like cyanotypes, platinum & palladium, gum printing, and even metal prints. So at least until someone invents a display that can alter its texture, depth, DMAX, tonal properties, etc…. a nice print will always be extremely special. You couldn’t possibly appreciate a beautiful metallic print - or an actual print on metal - or a nice platinum or cyanotype or woven canvas print anywhere but right in front of your face.
Imagine only ever viewing the great works of van Gogh, Dali, Rembrandt, Kahlo, Monet, Botticelli, Bonheur, Picasso, O’Keefe, etc., on a computer monitor or a tablet or a phone. Not quite as enticing as standing in the Museum of Art of Atlanta in front of O’Keefe’s Red Canna or Dali’s The Persistence of Memory in The Museum of Modern Art, is it? This is kind of like that minus their talent and genius.
My Prints
Most images on the site are available upon request. I will also occasionally do Limited Edition runs of various prints. A Limited Edition print run means only that many prints will ever exist – if the run is limited to 15, then after 15 prints of that image have been sold, none will ever be sold again. Limited Edition prints are hand-numbered on the reverse and come with an official Hahnemühle Certificate of Authenticity and a unique, serialized hologram; the reverse of the print will have an identically numbered hologram. These serial numbers can then be registered with Hahnemühle, if you desire.
The most commonly available print sizes are 8x10, 8x11.5, 8x12, 9x12, 10x15, 11x14, 11x17, 12x16, 12x18, and 16x20, depending on the source image. I have found these sizes to be an optimal middle ground between large enough to appreciate but not so large as to overwhelm. Larger sizes are available – 15x20, 16x24, and 17x22 in particular – but anything greater than 22” on the long side (e.g. 16x24) are usually custom order only as they require a slightly different printing process on my end.
Matting and Framing
Standard print orders are without matting. They are shipped in an archival bag which is fixed to the shipping box (I do not roll prints, they are shipped flat in a box) to prevent the print from sliding or moving in transit. The same is true for matted prints.
Shipping within the USA is via USPS Priority Mail and almost always costs about $16.50 - Alaska and Hawaii may cost a bit more. Prints are shipped in a 24x16x4 box. For very large prints beyond the typical sizes, shipping cost will be more.
I do offer matting as an optional service at an additional charge. The matting charge is quite fair and includes only the cost of materials + $2.50 labor. Matting fees usually range from $25-31 for traditional size prints and mat boards. Larger prints and non-standard requests usually require custom-size and custom-cut mats; I must order these as I do not stock them, so there will be an additional 5-14 days before I can ship the print(s) for these types of orders, depending on how quickly the supplier delivers; the cost will also likely be higher than the aforementioned averages, due to the custom nature.
I use Archival Methods products for matting, which are 4-ply beveled exhibition mats with 2-ply backing board.
Prints are not borderless – the print itself will be centered and have a certain amount of border on each edge. Part of this is that it makes the matting process easier - it’s necessary to have some of the print unexposed so the corners and edges can be mounted (unless you use adhesive, which I do not). Secondly, the surface of print media is coated and quite delicate; oils from skin can deteriorate the coating, which is why I handle all prints with lintless nylon gloves.
The border width will depend on the requested print size and therefore paper used – e.g. a 12x18 print on 13x19 paper will have roughly 0.5” of border on every side. Obviously, when matted, the border is covered and only the image is visible.
The choice of paper will depend on the image and what best showcases the character and quality of each particular photograph. The paper type will be indicated in the store. I use a huge variety of paper types and manufacturers, though almost always it will be Hahnemühle, Breathing Color, Red River, or Canson products.
Frames are not offered. Matting only. There are far too many variables, options, and personal preferences such that I feel it is best for the myself and the buyer to either frame the artwork themselves or have it professionally framed/matted.
Some prints are available to purchase directly in the Store - please check out the FAQ section there as it may answer additional questions that you might have. Pricing includes everything except shipping (which is almost always $16.50 as stated above) or the optional matting service (usually $25-31).
For custom mats, prints not listed in the store, international orders, or any other special requests, please contact me and we will arrange an invoice provided I can accommodate your request.