I value the presence of a tactile image, one you can hold, bend and tear. Printing is a crucial factor in the success of many photography businesses and if you wish to develop yourself as an artist printing is the best way to grow.
Prints can be just as valuable as any other artwork and certain prints are known to reach seven or eight-figure prices at auctions. One of the first prints ever made by Pablo Picasso entitled The Frugal Repast (Le repas frugal) sold for GBP 1,945,250 in 2012, while Au lit: Le baiser, a lithograph by Toulouse-Lautrec reached a staggering price of USD 12,485,000.
An art form in itself, printing is the most effective way to show and sell your work, adding value to your product. Print is also, in my own personal opinion the best way to backup your work, data can be lost very easily, storage devices can quickly go out of date. Prints can stand the test of time, and physical prints will always be there.
A print doesn’t need to be enjoyed on a screen, when looking at a printed picture their are no distractions, no icons bouncing up and down or Facebook notifications popping up. I enjoy presenting prints to clients, framing and mounting them, it is something that can be physically enjoyed. If you want to connect with your viewer, the print is the strongest method.
I can’t express the feeling that I have once a photograph is printed and mounted. Creating something of beauty rather than the digital perspective of viewing my work on screen. I often think back to old movies when you see old attics, full of interesting things, I hope one day when my children’s, children route through the attic they will find some beautiful prints of my work. Printing does make you nostalgic.
Hahnemühle is the inventor of Fine Art InkJet Paper with a special ink-receiving layer surface treatment suitable for today's inkjet printers. This is particularly suitable for high-quality photography, computer art, and painting and photo reproductions.
Hahnemühle’s Natural Line of papers are my preferred medium. FineArt inkjet papers made from unique raw materials: bamboo, hemp and agave. The plants that provide the cellulose require minimal maintenance, grow quickly and don’t need any pesticides. Their rapid growth means that more cellulose can be produced on the same cropland than with other raw materials, and they also require much less water, helping to save valuable resources and protect the environment.