Blog 1 - How do I prepare my images for printing?

It all begins with my desire to provide quality, not only the image composition, but also how my images are reproduced. I want you to smile and see something new, everytime you look at the photograph you purchased from me on your wall. This can only happen if the same level of care is put into the physical printing of the image as I put into creating the image.

Let’s start at the beginning I use Canon cameras and lenses. I have always used Canon equipment because I like they way their design and robustness (I can provide more information on the type of camera and lenses in a future blog if you are interested - send me a note and let me know.)

While I use Adobe bridge, Photoshop and Topaz De Noise AI for image collation and preparation for image display and printing. I try to capture the light as best I can at the moment I take each shot. Meaning I don’t apply too much post-production editing too my shots.

Turning an image from a digital format for display on a computer monitor, or TV screen is one thing, but creating a file with the detail necessary to meet my standards for the final printed version is quite another and can be an involved process. Requiring multiple test prints to ensure the colour calibration is correct, the image remains sharp on paper and the brightness balance is maintained.

For example I was recently completed test prints for the series on images available on my website, with Print Art Fine Art Imaging www.printart.co.nz. A process, which involved producing the images on different papers with differing finishes and completing a detailed analysis of the finished prints in daylight. I was checking for imperfections missed during editing, colour inaccuracies, loss of sharpness.

The end result all my images are reproduced using Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308gsm Etching Finish paper. I like the smooth surface texture and premium matte coating, which meets the highest industry standards of colour reproduction and sharpness.