Printing your photography can feel daunting, expensive, or overly complicated, but it doesn't have to be. More importantly, seeing your work in physical form might fundamentally change your connection to your art.
Coming to you from Adam Karnacz of First Man Photography, this practical video explores the actual costs and concerns surrounding printing photos, addressing common misconceptions head-on. Karnacz breaks down how you can start affordably without immediately investing in high-end equipment. He emphasizes that even a basic home printer paired with quality photo paper can produce impressive results, which offers an accessible way to get started without significant upfront costs. Another worthwhile option discussed is outsourcing prints to professional labs—highlighting the balance between quality, convenience, and price. Karnacz personally recommends smaller, local labs over international chains for their superior attention to detail and service.
Moving deeper, Karnacz examines the investment of owning your own printer, especially focusing on Canon models. He clarifies common concerns, like ink expenses, maintenance routines, and energy consumption, offering reassuring insights drawn from his firsthand experience. For instance, Canon printers come with complete ink sets, and replacements typically don't require buying every color simultaneously, greatly reducing the perception of ongoing costs. Leaving your printer switched on, he advises, actually minimizes ink wastage from constant maintenance cycles. Karnacz also debunks myths about printer fragility by recounting how his printer survived rough handling during outdoor photo shoots, reinforcing the idea that these machines are sturdier than most assume.
An important aspect covered is selecting the right paper type to showcase your images effectively. Karnacz simplifies the overwhelming variety of paper options into three primary categories: matte, semi-gloss, and glossy. He emphasizes that switching paper types often makes a more noticeable improvement in your prints than upgrading your printer, encouraging experimentation to find the ideal fit for your style.
The video doesn't shy away from the challenges and rewards associated with selling prints. Karnacz honestly assesses the competitive and shrinking market for physical photography, noting that galleries are facing closures due to declining sales. Still, he stresses the inherent value of physical prints over digital images, which often lack tangible worth. Understanding what makes your photographs appealing—whether it's capturing familiar local scenes or providing striking visuals—is essential for successful print sales.
Karnacz further discusses practical software solutions, preferring Canon's Professional Print & Layout software over Lightroom due to its ease of use, particularly praising its user-friendly interface and precise color control features. He touches on calibration and color accuracy, suggesting that mastering these nuances is an engaging aspect of the craft, rather than something intimidating.
Lastly, the question of what to do with your prints beyond sales is thoughtfully addressed. Karnacz suggests personal enjoyment through art boxes or gifting prints to friends and family as meaningful, affordable presents. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Karnacz.
My most treasured possessions: photographs, books and music. I have photographs of my parents and grandparents over 100 years old that I keep in archival sleeve binders. I've digitally scanned a lot of pictures, but the paper prints are still special and something I will always cherish. Many of them have my mom's handwriting on the back. I've reprinted several on new paper. For my current photographs, I store them in clamshell boxes, or the larger sheet size of 17 x 22 comes in a nice box that serves as storage. It bothers me when I hear people say that the only reason to print your photos is to hang them on a wall. It's not just a decorative item... prints are a testimony of a craft that I've spent decades devoting my life to.