I have come to know a year ago that photos that kick-ass online does not equate to a photo deserving a wall. I have known that photography is print.
Since last year, I have tried to print my own. Talking to persons I know that could teach me a thing or two and reading almost everything there is to read about printing.
After countless ink cartridge, paper types, profiles, calibrations- I surrender. You know the saying, try and try until you succeed? it's not always true, hehe. You must learn when to give up as well. The time and effort I put in perfecting my colors and tones between papers is just too much and it's keeping me from the thing I like most - shooting.

What 'bout framing?

I have a couple of frames from IKEA (not archival) which I really like. Aesthetically, I think they're up to par with those gallery type frames. I want to use them. I will use them. I have customized my size for the image to fit. Since last week, a couple of friends got interested in my prints and to cut the chase, I was able to print it. No, not me. I went really far for this - literally. I got my photos on an Ilford pearl printed on Epson with K3 inks. It was all good =)

Time to frame it up. It will be like a walk in the park.

No. It was not a walk. It's more of a run - not in the park even. Framing the works alone is like a bad dream. The specks of whatever that falls onto the matting is annoying. You slowly take it out to rid of it but as soon as you put the matting back- there it is again on a different spot. So you take out the whole works- board, matting, photo and glass. Fitting of the adhesives and smudges, all of them - your enemies. I had all things going good only to find out on the final check that I have smudged my logo on the matte. Great!
And thing is, you can't just say "that would do." I tried to do that but went back at it after 5 minutes. So, you start over again, maybe this time you'll get it right.

Doing it for several times, you'll make it. You'll hold it at arms length, put it to light, view it on different angles and check. Good! you'd say. BUT oh, what about that string thing to hang the work with???

You'd do it again and go through all of it. Again.

After 'round 2 hours, sore fingers and new found love for framers. I was able to finish it off. Not really as awesome a seasoned framer would have made it but hey, it was me.

When it was all done, I felt like it deserves a photo.

http://www.ognita.com//images/frames.jpg

Tip of the day: Gloves are gold and though frustrated and all, do not utter a word in front of your prints. You don't want something in the prints enough for a DNA test.

You have a similar story? post it up and let's compile the things we thought "that's peanuts!"

Hey, another Ikea frame lover :D

My printer is relegated to snapshot 5R print as well. The frustration of getting the colors right, everytime you try a new paper is a bit too wasteful for my purpose as well. Not to mention the cost of investing on a printer calibrator, etc...

The labs are doing a wonderful job for me and so are the other more dedicated hobbyists.

Red, what print/paper size did you use to get it work on the square frame? Thanks.

Hey, another Ikea frame lover :D

My printer is relegated to snapshot 5R print as well. The frustration of getting the colors right, everytime you try a new paper is a bit too wasteful for my purpose as well. Not to mention the cost of investing on a printer calibrator, etc...

The labs are doing a wonderful job for me and so are the other more dedicated hobbyists.

Red, what print/paper size did you use to get it work on the square frame? Thanks.


Nice one Red...
IKEA lover here too...:Grin: (Wooden frame RAM 50 X 70cm 19 3/4 X 27 2/4")

Hahahah!!!:Grin:

Tip of the day: Gloves are gold and though frustrated and all, do not utter a word in front of your prints. You don't want something in the prints enough for a DNA test.

You have a similar story? post it up and let's compile the things we thought "that's peanuts!"

Yes, i remember when i did the framing myself. A4 size frames, but it took me awhile, a speck of dust between the glass & the print could be annoying:) and leveling the horizons can by tricky.

I hav'nt tried printing though. In the 2 years that i have been shooting with a DSLR, I yet still have to acquire a printer. :Grin:Knowing that it would be another challenge for me on top of trying to learn how to shoot. So much technical stuff ( srgb, adobe rgb, calibration, dpi, etc.) In the mean time, I leave the printing to the labs and focus on improving my shooting skills first. So until my photos become worthy of a true gallery, the purchase of that Canon Pro printer would have to wait.:)

Your frames photo is nice BTW....deserved it!!


cheers:Grin:

I have come to know a year ago that photos that kick-ass online does not equate to a photo deserving a wall. I have known that photography is print.
Since last year, I have tried to print my own. Talking to persons I know that could teach me a thing or two and reading almost everything there is to read about printing.
After countless ink cartridge, paper types, profiles, calibrations- I surrender. You know the saying, try and try until you succeed? it's not always true, hehe. You must learn when to give up as well. The time and effort I put in perfecting my colors and tones between papers is just too much and it's keeping me from the thing I like most - shooting.

What 'bout framing?

I have a couple of frames from IKEA (not archival) which I really like. Aesthetically, I think they're up to par with those gallery type frames. I want to use them. I will use them. I have customized my size for the image to fit. Since last week, a couple of friends got interested in my prints and to cut the chase, I was able to print it. No, not me. I went really far for this - literally. I got my photos on an Ilford pearl printed on Epson with K3 inks. It was all good =)

Time to frame it up. It will be like a walk in the park.

No. It was not a walk. It's more of a run - not in the park even. Framing the works alone is like a bad dream. The specks of whatever that falls onto the matting is annoying. You slowly take it out to rid of it but as soon as you put the matting back- there it is again on a different spot. So you take out the whole works- board, matting, photo and glass. Fitting of the adhesives and smudges, all of them - your enemies. I had all things going good only to find out on the final check that I have smudged my logo on the matte. Great!
And thing is, you can't just say "that would do." I tried to do that but went back at it after 5 minutes. So, you start over again, maybe this time you'll get it right.

Doing it for several times, you'll make it. You'll hold it at arms length, put it to light, view it on different angles and check. Good! you'd say. BUT oh, what about that string thing to hang the work with???

You'd do it again and go through all of it. Again.

After 'round 2 hours, sore fingers and new found love for framers. I was able to finish it off. Not really as awesome a seasoned framer would have made it but hey, it was me.

When it was all done, I felt like it deserves a photo.

http://www.ognita.com//images/frames.jpg

Tip of the day: Gloves are gold and though frustrated and all, do not utter a word in front of your prints. You don't want something in the prints enough for a DNA test.

You have a similar story? post it up and let's compile the things we thought "that's peanuts!"


Thanks for the tip, ReD!!! Fingerprints on my glossy prints are my perennial problem when I frame them. Now I know that GLOVES are the way!!! :Dum::)

Thanks for the tip, ReD!!! Fingerprints on my glossy prints are my perennial problem when I frame them. Now I know that GLOVES are the way!!! :Dum::)

sir aly for Sure der is a seT of gloves inside first aid kit box... :Grin: lol! peace:)

Hi David,
Gotta love those Ikea frames eh :) The image size of the frame is 29 x 29cm. I print my images at 30 x 30cm. Do not try 29.5 x 29.5. I did it, and there was a itsy-bitsy paper showing up. I went to a framer and got a custom made mat for that case.

John,
I use a RIBBA. 29 x 29cm for my squares. 29 x 39cm for the pano and portrait orientation shots. I'll check that RAM next time :)

Jong,
Those specks eh, annoys you to no end :)
I suggest, when you're ready to venture out in printing, attend a seminar. It might lessen the wasted printing materials and time you'd be spending. If there was only a good seminar in here for digital printing like we have back home. I would have joined already. I think the wasted stuff is enough to have to pay for my class :D

Aly,
Very true. Gloves are gold. It has to be from the printer guy to you. I had an image printed twice because of a finger print. Also, I had an image re-printed because I had something on it enough for a DNA test :D

Jong,
Those specks eh, annoys you to no end :)
I suggest, when you're ready to venture out in printing, attend a seminar. It might lessen the wasted printing materials and time you'd be spending. If there was only a good seminar in here for digital printing like we have back home. I would have joined already. I think the wasted stuff is enough to have to pay for my class :D



So true, but like you. I find it hard to find a seminar here. Oh there are good seminars here i suppose, being the land of the photo gods who make possible our gears. Saw a couple of signs at the camera store. But sadly, i have yet to find one i can comprehend.:)

cheers Red:Grin:,

ps. The name befits the host country eh?:) Cant wait to see your shots of the Olympicc.

BTW, tip for cleaning the glass before mounting. Use 2 microfiber towels, one wet, one dry. Wipe one side of the glass one way (left to right), wipe the other side the other way (up and down), you'll quickly know which side the streaks are on.

I'm using Ribba as well.

I also use 3M velcro mounts, they're a godsend as you can align them again and again.

BTW, tip for cleaning the glass before mounting. Use 2 microfiber towels, one wet, one dry. Wipe one side of the glass one way (left to right), wipe the other side the other way (up and down), you'll quickly know which side the streaks are on.

I'm using Ribba as well.

I also use 3M velcro mounts, they're a godsend as you can align them again and again.


Nice tip David. Thanks:Grin:

Microfibers. One wet, one dry. Velcro. Got it :)

OT:
<snip>ps. The name befits the host country eh?:) Cant wait to see your shots of the Olympicc.

ReD Com eh :)
I'm afraid, I'll not have much Olympic game shots. The tickets prices are ceiling high. No make that sky high and it is clearly stated that professional photographic equipments are not allowed. Unless of course, if you're the press.

cool thread Red. very informative.

if i may ask, what's the difference between ikea and other frames?

Hi Bart,
Gallery frames specializing in fine-art print, mounts the works on acid free materials. That includes the adhesives used and the matting. Sometimes, the glass used is also UV coated.
Google for "acid free mounting" and you'll see different types of materials.

These are used to protect the work that is also printed on archival paper and inks.
http://www.ognita.com/prints/
http://www.wilhelm-research.com/

Ikea frames are easy to acquire and cost less but you can just give them, say... 10 years?