As photographers what is your choice, matte finish or glossy finish? Does one look more professional then the other? It has been rather difficult for me to find a lab that prints in Matte anymore, is this because matte is not the desired finish? I have always preferred matte to glossy. I used to send out my film (via mail) to Mystic Color Labs in CT, and they always gave me the option and of course I always chose matte. When I mailed out my film it took like a week and half to get it back. I guess in my old age I have gotten rather impatient and like to see my results ASAP. (or maybe it is because I have a digital now that makes me so impatient). I want to hear your thoughts on finish, those of you who print your work. And to those of you who shoot 35mm what is your film of choice? Brenda :)

I generally prefer the matte finish for my artsy type prints. I go for gloss on things like snapshots of my daughter.

I photograph in digital, and print my stuff using an Epson 2200, so I can't give you any advice on printers or films. I can tell you, though, that the inks on the 2200, when using either matte or watercolor paper, look incredible to my eye.

-Taltos

I prefer matte finish with white borders.... always have, probably always will. I've found that glossy does look nice with bright colors, but the images themselves have to be tack sharp, or they don't look good. Glossy picks up finger prints, which annoys me. I was a long time user of Mystic Color lab, and even though I live 10 minutes away, it took just as long as you to get my prints! I'm not very patient either. Also found after trying local custom labs that Mystic's prints are about what could be found at your local drug store and much more expensive!! Stopped using them ages ago after becoming dissatisfied with the quality and price. Recent found Adorama.... fabulous quality prints...able to upload digitally, large or small amounts. Film of choice... depends on what I'm going for..... Fuji Superia 400 X-tra - cheap, easily found, nice color renditions, scans nicely without the horrible cyan color cast that you get from Kodak Max. Use this for general, all around use, when I'm just shooting for fun..... Fuji Velvia 50 slide film.... nice sharp images, no grain, beautiful saturated colors, but not good for portrait work, great for landscape and nature work. I've tried lots of different slide film, different speeds, but Velvia is by far my favorite. Kodak Portra NC 160 and 400 for portrait work, when I'm getting paid to take the picture. Beautiful rendition of skin tones, 400 has virtually no grain... I hate grain! and it has the speed I need when chasing children. BW I prefer Kodak, Tri-X Pan or T-Max 100 and 400.... for some reason I have a problem with Ilford film and contrast....

Good to hear you like the Epson 2200 Taltos, I'm getting one as a Christmas present from my husband.... I've had my eye on it for a long time....so I'm very excited about it.

Michelle, you will love the Epson 2200, I have one and they really do an incredible job. Taltos will back me up on that. And Nilla, it depends on the image to me which paper I prefer. I like glossy for b/w, semi-gloss or matte for color and matte for photoshopped "pop" art to make the colors jump more....again, just my preferences... Jack

...dear Santa, did you hear about the Epsom 2200? hint, hint... sigh xcellent advice here :]

I like matte finish on my prints ... I think it has a "classier" look (if you know what I mean). For prints from a printer, I really like Satin finish papers. @Cyn - Ummm ... I don't know if anyone has told you this or not. I don't want to burst your bubble or make you sad or nothing, but I think it's time someone told you. You see, it's about Santa. Ummmmm ... he's way too busy this time of year to be reading web forums. You'll never get through to him like that. You gotta send a snail mail letter. It's the only way. And it helps if you put a cookie in the envelope with the letter. -=>Donald

Hmmz. I depends on how is the judge. I myself like matte, it seems the rest of the world that pays want gloss. If they want gloss, they can get it :) It what you like, it can also depend on the sort of photo or place where you gonna hang it.

Thank you all for your replies, I was beginning to think I was strange for wanting a matte finish! I personally don't like glossy at all. Matte in my opinion, makes the image even more then what it is! :)