|
Forums >
Photography Talk >
glossy vs matte?
Just wondering which you prefer. Jul 07 05 06:04 pm Link A few years agop I attended a lecture given in Vancouver by Ralph Gibson. He was asked about what he did with his b+w negs. Remember that Gibson: 1. Uses film. 2. Publishes many books. He said he never scanned his negatives but always went for scanning his own b+w prints. I would guess that Gibson would have one of those flatbeds where you can a whole fridge! I routinely scan my b+w prints for reproduction in magazines, newspapers and to put in CDs and then go and have giclées made. Glossy is a pain to scan. But Ilford or any other semi-mat (that is pretty mat) will scan beautifully. Pearl finishes (in good detailed scans) will pick up the pearl texture and that is no good. I think that the extra glossy look (even when they were Cibachromes) make any photo look too glossy and thus cheap. If you use photo paper then air dry glossy. If you use a digital camera and print on Epsons I would go for the mat or semi mat. Jul 07 05 06:11 pm Link I've always prefered matte. Especially for framing (behind glass) or putting into sleaves of a book, but even out in the open, I just don't like the "glare" from glossy prints. But the average person seems to like shiny pics. Jul 07 05 06:32 pm Link Posted by Gary Davis: Same here. Jul 07 05 06:45 pm Link I've never understood the appeal of glossy prints. The glare just makes them hard to see. Even matte RC papers are often glossier than I'd like. Jul 07 05 06:53 pm Link I agree too. Jul 07 05 07:04 pm Link I love the look of Canvas if i could afford it i would use it on alot a stuff.. If i can find it ill use matt!! If i cant ill use anything! (:--- Jul 07 05 07:36 pm Link Definately matte. John Jul 07 05 07:43 pm Link For my own work I print on two papers exclusively: Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308 and Hahnemuhle Torchon. Both are matt; the Photo Rag is relatively smooth and the Torchon is textured. I recommend anyone who does their own printing to try them out. Having said that, the Epson R1800 prints glossies you've got to see to believe. Jul 07 05 07:55 pm Link Joey, go get all your portfolio and other pictures printed on glossy....there's more "bling" to them that way.. ;-) JP Jul 07 05 08:02 pm Link Posted by alexwh: most likely high end drum scans from fiber prints- a lot of clients that I print for go that route... Jul 07 05 08:04 pm Link Really though, it depends on what you're printing. Judging by your portfolio (highly saturated colors), glossy or pearl would probably be more appropriate than matt. Jul 07 05 08:07 pm Link It really depends on the type of image that you are printing, color, B&W, etc.----and what your client prefers. Jul 07 05 08:08 pm Link Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: I prefer different papers for different printwork having gone through several hundred dollars worth of different types, not all white is the same white like differences in white ballance settings. Jul 07 05 08:23 pm Link to break it down, matt paper loses 10% of the focus and 30% of the color but glossy gets finger prints on it I choose.... Jul 07 05 10:41 pm Link Matte for most, if I need something shiny, pearl Jul 07 05 10:48 pm Link Luster for portraits, glossy for model pics. Paul Jul 08 05 05:51 am Link Matte for me. Endura Metallic is a close 2nd these days. Jul 08 05 07:36 am Link Matte for me. Endura Metallic is a close 2nd these days. Jul 08 05 07:36 am Link My preferred portfolio print paper is Epson Radiant White Watercolor Paper (a lightly textured matte-finish art paper) in my Epson Stylus Photo 2200. It's pretty expensive, though, so for "everyday" prints, or prints I do not want to have any texture, I use Epson Enhanced Matte Paper. When I need glossy, I use Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper. I haven't used any of their semi-glossy papers, as I find that with my own work the image itself will tell me pretty quickly whether it should be printed matte or glossy and I don't seem to ever say, "That should be semi-glossy." I have also used Calumet Photo's "Brilliant" line of glossy papers and have gotten good results, but I tend to stick with the Epson stuff just for consistency. M Jul 08 05 01:39 pm Link Matte paper with a pprint from the lab. Glossy screws with the blacks and the shine makes it hard to see all that dark void. Jul 08 05 09:09 pm Link My personal choice is matte fiber paper for b+w prints. It just seems to hold the black detail better and gives it a warmth - especially for toning. Glossy definately for color prints if it has a lot of lighting (like with street & building signs in night photography) or high saturation of colors. Jul 08 05 10:40 pm Link Good point Star. I prefer Matte. I print on "soft gloss", which is less glossy than "Glossy" but has better color than Matte. Jul 10 05 09:28 pm Link I almost consider this question like asking "do you prefer color or B&W?", or "do you shoot with zooms or primes?". Canvas, Matte, Watercolor, Luster, Pearl, Semi-gloss, and gloss all have their place. The final paper selection is as much a part of the creative process as any other step. It significantly impacts the final rendition of the image. There is no right or wrong. Each has it's place. The "glossy" family of papers (glossy, luster, pearl, etc.) have excellent saturation and contrast and retain their sharpness. I really like those for certain wildlife, flower, and "high-impact" shots. The matte papers seem more moody to me. Generally, I prefer these for subdued tones and B&W prints (though not always). I am only starting to play with the watercolor papers, but I think I will be experimenting with them a bit to see how their muted colors and softer look work for different subjects. Jul 10 05 09:47 pm Link I like glossy. My photo professor likes matte. Therefore for the sake of my grade, matte trumps glossy. Jul 12 05 09:13 pm Link glossy sucks arse....hate it... Jul 22 05 11:45 am Link |
