p.6 #1 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
I have never printed at home but have always got images printed at a photography shop or nowadays online printers
Agree that having an actual print is special
p.6 #2 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
I am finally getting back into printing after what seems like a very long time. I've been watching Keith Coopers videos on YouTube (of Northlight images). His channel looks a little underproduced at first, but his content is very good. I just recently purchased an Epson 8550.
p.6 #4 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
nickw_ wrote:
I am finally getting back into printing after what seems like a very long time. I've been watching Keith Coopers videos on YouTube (of Northlight images). His channel looks a little underproduced at first, but his content is very good. I just recently purchased an Epson 8550.
I can second Keith Cooper's channel. He's a wealth of knowledge. Printing a few photos is on my short list but I haven't purchased a unit for home use yet. If I do it will likely be an Epson 8550. For larger prints I'd just order from an online service. I've had good luck with Nations Photo Lab in the past.
Enjoy your new printer!
Jan 29, 2026 at 11:34 AM
AmbientMike Offline • • • • • • [X]
p.6 #5 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
Danpbphoto wrote:
I was wondering how many members still print photo files themselves?
Do you do it for your own admiration, others or for sales?
Was just wondering!
I have NOT printed a photo in many years.
Thanks!
Dan
I always print photos at Christmas, sometimes just to give people something to unwrap. The Epson matte paper and durabrite ink had better colorfastness on the Wilhelm tests than ultrachrome, years ago, glossy not bad, 40 years IIRC. So you dont have to spend a lot, little 8.5x11 printers probably <$100.
Hoping to continue printing on a regular basis, I haven't done much over the last several years.
I've actually quit posting online, kind of opposite direction of what you are talking about. Had issues here, Flickr got out scissors taking all my images to 1024 pixels, also IG can sell your stuff, and fb is the same company.
p.6 #6 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
I have two HPz3200's. As long as they continue working I will keep printing. Nothing beats seeing your photos displayed as large format prints. Bigger is better.
p.6 #7 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
pancrasemma wrote:
I have two HPz3200's. As long as they continue working I will keep printing. Nothing beats seeing your photos displayed as large format prints. Bigger is better.
Those HP printers are a dream to own. Easy self maintenance with cheap print heads. I have two 3200 and one 3100. The 3100 delivers amazing b&w prints.
p.6 #8 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
AmbientMike wrote:
I always print photos at Christmas, sometimes just to give people something to unwrap. The Epson matte paper and durabrite ink had better colorfastness on the Wilhelm tests than ultrachrome, years ago, glossy not bad, 40 years IIRC. So you dont have to spend a lot, little 8.5x11 printers probably <$100.
Hoping to continue printing on a regular basis, I haven't done much over the last several years.
I've actually quit posting online, kind of opposite direction of what you are talking about. Had issues here, Flickr got out scissors taking all my images to 1024 pixels, also IG can sell your stuff, and fb is the same company. ...Show more →
Thanks for your reply Steven!
Glad you are keeping those print heads clean!
Dan
Jan 30, 2026 at 11:24 AM
AmbientMike Offline • • • • • • [X]
p.6 #9 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
Danpbphoto wrote:
Thanks for your reply Steven!
Glad you are keeping those print heads clean!
Dan
Thanks Dan, it's Mike though, just attributing quotes I put in my profile film a famous comedian
But its pretty easy to print, especially ~8x10's, used to use inexpensive hp printers, others probably good, too
p.6 #10 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
AmbientMike wrote:
Thanks Dan, it's Mike though, just attributing quotes I put in my profile film a famous comedian
But its pretty easy to print, especially ~8x10's, used to use inexpensive hp printers, others probably good, too
Yes I "saw" that Mike when I looked at your profile because in earlier posts I called you Mike...saw Steven and wondered, did I screw that up...AGAIN!!! ...I am olde... Does that count?
I just don't have the room on my walls for any more prints. I used to rotate them every year but not in 5 years or more. My "man cave" has them stacked up to the rafters!
Thanks!
Dan
Jan 30, 2026 at 12:20 PM
AmbientMike Offline • • • • • • [X]
p.6 #11 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
Danpbphoto wrote:
Yes I "saw" that Mike when I looked at your profile because in earlier posts I called you Mike...saw Steven and wondered, did I screw that up...AGAIN!!! ...I am olde... Does that count?
I just don't have the room on my walls for any more prints. I used to rotate them every year but not in 5 years or more. My "man cave" has them stacked up to the rafters!
Thanks!
Dan
Im not sure being confused with Steven Wright isn't a complement, anyway. Someone else did that the other day, at least I figured out why!
I tend to just leave them unframed (dont really enjoy framing at all) they dont take up a lot of space, especially ~8x10's. And pull them out occasionally
p.6 #13 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
Danpbphoto wrote:
I was wondering how many members still print photo files themselves?
Do you do it for your own admiration, others or for sales?
Was just wondering!
I have NOT printed a photo in many years.
Thanks!
Dan
I have printed from my earliest days with cameras when I was 10 or 11 years old, first with simple contact prints and them with a home darkroom. There have also been long periods when I have not printed for myself but have used commercial services instead.
But for the last couple of years, I have been printing up to letter size on an Epson XP-7100, which was surprisingly good for a low-cost printer. Then a few months ago, I bought a Canon 310 Imagegraf Pro pigment printer. The prints are very beautiful--sometimes people ask me if they are paintings, and the printer seems robustly made. Inks are typically priced, a normal cost of the activity. I like the idea of the Epson 8550, which is obviously a fine printer, but I wanted pigment rather than dye prints.
Printing has become very important to me personally because I give prints to others and because my family prints will long survive me and will be looked at, I believe, by my children and grandchildren and their descendants. There are photographs that I took as a 12-year old and printed in a home darkroom that are now on the walls of some of my siblings and their children many years later. It is wonderful how a photograph can re-awaken important experiences and memories.
Printing has also become very important to my practice of photography because it has involved me more deeply in the art of post-processing in order to create the best possible print. Learning post-processing more expertly has enormously enriched my understanding of visual images and I think it has enriched and improved my photography. Printing and post-processing have made me a better photographer, with a higher hit rate of good images and the achievement of more images that I truly love.
When I am working on an image these days, I will make a number of 4x6 prints to evolve the post-processing of the image and to help me figure out what I think of it. I discuss the alternate versions with my wife and others. Then, after a while in which I have sorted out my thoughts and feelings about an image, I will make a "final" print in a larger size.
I do think that a 6x9 image on a letter size page is a beautiful format for holding and looking as well as for matting and framing. I also do a lot of 5x7 prints for the future.
p.6 #14 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
chiron wrote:
I have printed from my earliest days with cameras when I was 10 or 11 years old, first with simple contact prints and them with a home darkroom. There have also been long periods when I have not printed for myself but have used commercial services instead.
But for the last couple of years, I have been printing up to letter size on an Epson XP-7100, which was surprisingly good for a low-cost printer. Then a few months ago, I bought a Canon 310 Imagegraf Pro pigment printer. The prints are very beautiful--sometimes people ask me if they are paintings, and the printer seems robustly made. Inks are typically priced, a normal cost of the activity. I like the idea of the Epson 8550, which is obviously a fine printer, but I wanted pigment rather than dye prints.
Printing has become very important to me personally because I give prints to others and because my family prints will long survive me and will be looked at, I believe, by my children and grandchildren and their descendants. There are photographs that I took as a 12-year old and printed in a home darkroom that are now on the walls of some of my siblings and their children many years later. It is wonderful how a photograph can re-awaken important experiences and memories.
Printing has also become very important to my practice of photography because it has involved me more deeply in the art of post-processing in order to create the best possible print. Learning post-processing more expertly has enormously enriched my understanding of visual images and I think it has enriched and improved my photography. Printing and post-processing have made me a better photographer, with a higher hit rate of good images and the achievement of more images that I truly love.
When I am working on an image these days, I will make a number of 4x6 prints to evolve the post-processing of the image and to help me figure out what I think of it. I discuss the alternate versions with my wife and others. Then, after a while in which I have sorted out my thoughts and feelings about an image, I will make a "final" print in a larger size.
I do think that a 6x9 image on a letter size page is a beautiful format for holding and looking as well as for matting and framing. I also do a lot of 5x7 prints for the future....Show more →
Very well stated "workflow"!
I am happy that you have an audience for your images. That is 90% of the battle imho.
Thanks for your contribution!
Fan
p.6 #15 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
If for no other reason, even the most casual photographer who may wish to leave images with friends and family can runoff some prints on a basic letter printer with some inexpensive photo paper and hand those prints out.
They’ll be around long after no one can find the original digital files any more.
p.6 #16 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
Thanks for a great post. Your experiences and sentiments are very similar to mine. Printing has become an integral part of photography for me.
chiron wrote:
I have printed from my earliest days with cameras when I was 10 or 11 years old, first with simple contact prints and them with a home darkroom. There have also been long periods when I have not printed for myself but have used commercial services instead.
But for the last couple of years, I have been printing up to letter size on an Epson XP-7100, which was surprisingly good for a low-cost printer. Then a few months ago, I bought a Canon 310 Imagegraf Pro pigment printer. The prints are very beautiful--sometimes people ask me if they are paintings, and the printer seems robustly made. Inks are typically priced, a normal cost of the activity. I like the idea of the Epson 8550, which is obviously a fine printer, but I wanted pigment rather than dye prints.
Printing has become very important to me personally because I give prints to others and because my family prints will long survive me and will be looked at, I believe, by my children and grandchildren and their descendants. There are photographs that I took as a 12-year old and printed in a home darkroom that are now on the walls of some of my siblings and their children many years later. It is wonderful how a photograph can re-awaken important experiences and memories.
Printing has also become very important to my practice of photography because it has involved me more deeply in the art of post-processing in order to create the best possible print. Learning post-processing more expertly has enormously enriched my understanding of visual images and I think it has enriched and improved my photography. Printing and post-processing have made me a better photographer, with a higher hit rate of good images and the achievement of more images that I truly love.
When I am working on an image these days, I will make a number of 4x6 prints to evolve the post-processing of the image and to help me figure out what I think of it. I discuss the alternate versions with my wife and others. Then, after a while in which I have sorted out my thoughts and feelings about an image, I will make a "final" print in a larger size.
I do think that a 6x9 image on a letter size page is a beautiful format for holding and looking as well as for matting and framing. I also do a lot of 5x7 prints for the future....Show more →
p.6 #17 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
gdanmitchell wrote:
If for no other reason, even the most casual photographer who may wish to leave images with friends and family can runoff some prints on a basic letter printer with some inexpensive photo paper and hand those prints out.
They’ll be around long after no one can find the original digital files any more.
You are absolutely 100% correct Dan! My wife has over 100 year old photos taken by her great great g'father.
Dan2
Uncle Claude's pic is 116 years old next week.
These are scanned images from a real print.
Suzanne's Uncle Claude- He was an explorer and a big game hunter. This is from the Explorers Club in NYC
Suzanne's Uncle Clifton on the family property in Maryland
p.6 #19 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
gdanmitchell wrote:
And, like Uncle Claude, WRITE something on the backs of the prints, too!
Many have hand written ID's. Dan.
Glad they are there. Prefer the back of the photo but this will do.
The property that Suzanne's great grandfather's was on is now called "Kentlands" and a huge housing development and shopping center.
Dan
Dan2
p.6 #20 · How Many Members Still Print Their Own Photography?
As someone who grew up in the analogue era (film and music) who always did contact sheets then some prints if any images were suitable….I can’t imagine not wanting prints of my best work. Even seeing images on my 27’ iMac is no substitute for a decent print…anymore than a decent LP is a substitute for the concert hall.
I remember taking my daughter to an Ansel Adams exhibition in London some years ago. She had looked through my photo books and seen some of his work on line…but viewing the actual prints amazed her. She was stunned.
I still do a lot of portrait work and again…the sitters love the prints. Large prints…A3 minimum….no point in going small.
Being a photographer and not wanting to see one’s work as tangible artefacts must be a bit like an artist who wants to paint in oils but instead used software like Painter to create something on a tablet and then always views it in Instagram…or maybe has an inkjet made. Just not the same by any stretch of the imagination.
Snaps of ones kids or pets at Christmas…maybe no need for prints ever. But that isn’t really photography in my mind. It is visual record making. useful, but not photography.
...I am olde...
Does that count? 
