....thought this was an interesting question on PhotographyBLOG--- shows how times are changing : " How often do you print your photos? It just occurred to me this week that I hadnt printed any of my own photographs for quite a while, a few weeks in fact, and that my Epson 2100 printer is quietly gathering dust in the corner of my office. Recently, more official reports also conclude that printing is on the decline, despite the availability of printing technology that is more life-like and durable than ever before. Back in the pre-digital days, prints either made in the darkroom or at your local lab were the best way to view your work. Now it seems that the LCD monitor has taken over as the viewing device of choice. So, when was the last time that you made a print? Is printing your first choice method of evaluating and sharing your photographs? What kind of printer do you own (if any) and how could it be improved? Shout out now " ..............................In the era of 'film' photography - I think the print was the gold standard to judge the failure or success of a photo -- it was the obvious end product - ( still is - and always will be for me ) - some favoured slides and slide shows - but I think they were in the minority - and a slide was still a good master to print from for publication .......but I wonder if the majority of photo enthusiasts nowadays just pile their photos into their hard-drive - and there they mostly stay ---- so - of course WHY do they need 8 meg cameras ? ----really ! ??? ----- a 2-3 meg camera would be fine for monitor display or putting on the web -- is it the same as wanting a fast car that never has a place to go fast ? -- or wanting a four wheel drive that never goes off road -? -- is it just the power of advertising and the herd mentality to buy and belong ? -- or the elitist mentality to OWN the ' best' equipment ?? ------it's a bit scary.

Last time I had prints done was 2004 around Christmas time at Target! It was mostly family stuff that I accumulated over the previous 4 years! Used'em for gifts and whatnot! I had been looking at printers ...to replace the lexmark multi-function one I bought a few years ago, But its really not a high priority at the moment! If I ever do need a print I can swing over to any number of stores that now offer "walk up" kiosks for making prints! Its more cost effective for me...at the moment!

Message edited on: 02/05/2006 17:39

unstrung65, I just took a look at your gallery and think your art is very cool. You should print those out on your Epson 2100 and then frame them. You too L8RDAZE.

....thanks coolj001 - I'm seriously looking at the Epson 1800 ....I think printing an image really lets one get a better line on things -- what looks good on the monitor often doesn't quite cut it on the printed page -- it's a good way to further refine the piece I think.

Probably print between 20-30 a month, various sizes depending on the usage requirements. (a small percentage of shots made) Back in the film days that could be much higher depending on rolls shot. Really though with film you had to print and then decide what ones were best to enlarge etc, now I can just print the better ones/ones I really like, and leave the rest as digital files. Makes sense really, from a 36 roll of film you may only get a few worth keeping, so it was wasteful. Interesting topic.

I printed a bunch just recently,but I admit it had been ages since I had last done so.I honestly have no place to put them,so I don't bother...but that's silly.I could always put them in an album. I have the 2200 and it did a real nice job...

....at present - I am looking to buy my first digital camera with an aim to print images up to at least 13 x 19" -- so I've been reading a lot of camera reviews of late -- so for me a good - at least APS sized sensor at around 8 megapixels should do the job -- I'm just holding back because the PMA show might introduce some new models -- but I was just wondering how many people hunger after more megapixels than they would actually ever use -maybe - a lot of people want the just the option to print occasionally - while leaving most of their work in the computer ----- what I'm also questioning , in a way, is whether the main method of display has shifted from print to display ---- maybe I'm old fashioned - but I like to have something solid as an end product - not a file in a computer that might never get out of the machine !

I most recently got the Epson R2400 printer because it is cool like me. :-)

...@ Margana ---well I guess there is always the question of what to do with photos -( if one's intentions are not to sell them ) - that factors in ---- but I do think printing them will really help one progress to become a better photographer/artist because the print will show up a lot of defects that the screen won't reveal --- it seems to me that your 2200 is quite an expensive high quality machine to not use much! --- although I realise it costs a lot of $$ for ink , paper & experimentation ---- but maybe worth it in the long run.

You're absolutely right.And I did see something in one of the prints I hadn't seen on screen,so it is definately a valuable tool. I must say the replacing of ink is a constant factor.And it does become bothersome...and expensive. Probably the main reason I don't use it much,is because the wireless set-up failed and since I don't have an office,I have to bring it into my kitchen and connect it to my pc...Which is rather a pain,lol. Hoping one day soon to have my very own office...then we'll see if I start using that baby.I know initially I will because I'd love to cover the walls with my shots...well,when I have enough good ones,lol. :^)

Don't feel bad Margana. I have never used my printer. Although I am working on installing it right now and look forward to making some prints here..

Thanks Jeff.Good luck with it. :^)

I print a few a couple times a year when the state and/or local fair come up and for a competition or two. Also as gifts. Sounds cheezy but walmart can actually produce some nice 8x10's at very reasonable prices. You can load them on line and pick them up in an hour. Much cheaper than replacing ink and photo paper at home. I plan on trying them for an 11x14 soon. We also have a camera shop that does a fair job but they charge twice as much.
So yes, I do print some photos. After fair, they either line our walls (the winners), are given as gifts (the popular) or donated to fundraisers.
J

Message edited on: 02/05/2006 21:06

I guess I am a minority here LOL! I just printed about 8-8 x 10's yesterday and about two weeks before that I ran off about 150-4" x 6"'s 12-5" x 7"'s and 6-8" x 10"'s. I give my printer a work out! Just bought a GPS for the "Keys trip" and printed off the 102 page manual last night! I print my images all the time with my Canon pixma 4000 printer! I love it! What I love about it is that when it is time to replace inks, I only replace what has run out. I don't find the ink usage to be excessive, quite the contrary, I was really surprised how many prints I could get out of it before replacing a color. I have noticed though, that when I replace one color, I better have back ups of the others because they usually aren't too far behind! (except for the blacks, they seem to last three times as long as anything else!) What I would improve if I could? Hmmm I want it to be able to print 11 x 14's and 16 x 20's. Was just looking at the larger format printers, but it looks as if Canon hasn't made one yet and I certainly don't want an HP! Canon just sent me a survey on my printer and I told them the same thing. Brenda :) P.S. Nice seeing ya Doug! waves

......Hi Brenda * wave* ----- it would seem to me that the Epson printers ( 1800 - 2200 - 2400 - and larger format ones ) - would be a good way to go in that they use pigment inks which are claimed to have a very long life ( something I think would be very important in selling a print ) - also they print better on a lot of 'specialty' papers --- I presently have a Canon -- but what good is a beautiful print that won't last long ? ----- the Epson 1800 will print up to 13 x 19 --- would seem well worth the investment ----16x20's could be printed by someone else for you ---just some thoughts Ms Florida.

I don't know.We always seem to be running out of black...and we barely use the thing!

I store originals with no editing on the hard drive (except delete of really useless shots) and immediately copy to a cd. I do want a hard copy backup!

I do judge my images by the pc monitor but am not happy unless I can get an excellent print. About 72dpi is not much more than a "representation" of the image, in my thinking.

I don't do my own printing but use a local or online printer who uses a better printer than I could ever afford to do the job on photo paper. I frequently have images printed and the stacks of unframed images attests to that!

I would not give up the camera mg pixels just to do "web" shots. I would loose too, too much overall including the ability to print a decent sized image. There is also something to be said of the photographers options with a better camera, since many of the small image cameras simply do not have the versatility needed for more creative imaging.

Message edited on: 02/05/2006 21:38

Will have to look at the Epson 1800, I remember comparing the Canon, Epson and HP and the Canon won hands down after looking at the sample prints. Well that was almost two years ago I think. If I replace it I will give mom the old one. May just hang on til one comes along that can do 16 x 20's though, whether it be Epson or Canon... I use nothing but Canon ink, have many of my images on the walls printed with it, so we shall see Mr. Canada! ;) Brenda :)

..Mz Florida ! -- you might have to rob a bank - win the lottery - or wait a looooong time to purchase a printer that will do 16x20's - esp ones printed with pigment inks --- plus they would soak up a LOT of ink --- then - given that you're a perfectionist -- might take several stabs at getting the print just right! ----- 12 x 19 seems BIG to me -- but maybe I just think small! ---- but - really - I'm happy they now make printers that make semi permanent prints-- ---( a big factor in colour photos not being accepted in the art market in the past.)

.ps --- there has been a trade off in the past - with dye based inks looking better than the more permanent pigment inks -- but that gap has apparently narrowed --

I finally got my printer hooked up and it prints. The coloring is way off so I guess it is time for me to learn "color management" I also need to learn more about printing in general. Hmmm...This should be interesting...

Mr. Canada Thanks for the 411!

I have a bank or two in mind, wanna help? How about a Brinks truck? We could be just like Bonnie and Clyde! If I do this I might have to go live elsewhere afterwards! j/k!

The HP wasn't all that expensive to be honest, but then again ya get what ya pay for right?

What I charge for my 16 x 20's will definately pay for the ink and eventually for the printer! ;)

You guys are always thinking it is the size that matters! LOL! Yeah 16 x 20 is large, but it isn't HUGE! Sheeesh!

giggles

Brenda :)

Message edited on: 02/06/2006 05:11

I consider that the image you see on your monitor is an extremely poor imitation of what can be achieved with a good print. I use an Epson Photo 1290 and print as large as I can reasonably get on Super A3 paper ( 13" x 19") and the difference between this and the monitor image is amazing. I use both a 5mp and a 8mp camera and output at 300dpi, if files need upsizing I use Genuine Fractals which is perfect for modest size increases of 150 - 200%. I urge you to give it a try, you will never be content with a mere monitor image again.

I still print photos but the ammount has declined over the years. Storage and the NEED to print them is on the wane. With ink prices so high I hesitate to print for anything less than to use as a gift or to sell. My Epson R1800 makes very nice 13x19 prints, but ink prices are high and the knockoff inks, though cheap, are not as good as their Epson brand counterparts. My gallery of images is here online for the most part. So yes, I'm making few prints than I used to, but I still make them.