I haven’t printed photographs in a while. I used to print all my own work on large format professional printers, one of them up to 44” wide. As I’ve slowed down in professional photography, retired, my needs have changed and now I shoot mostly for myself and retired the large printer as well. However, a good friend recently gifted me a beautiful 17” fine art printer and I find myself excited again about photography.
Why? Well, photography is a great hobby, a tough profession, but thoroughly enjoyable either way. However, as I’ve said in the past, the print, the ‘hardcopy’ epitomizes the craft and reveals it as art. I’ve rediscovered why I love photography, and it’s the print. I remember in the ‘old days’, waiting for the image to reveal itself in the developing tray of the darkroom. It was magical, almost a miracle.
Now, it’s coming out of a printer. It’s still the same feeling, although one sweep of the print-head at a time rather than slowing revealing itself, but still presents that anticipation and wonder as it takes form.
Printers have evolved over the years. Originally, photo printers used dye-based inks. They were colourful, but easily faded under direct light. Now, there are numerous professional printers that are pigment based and recent advances peg longevity in hundreds of years. This is one of them and allows me to create prints up to 17” in width.
As I continue to pursue the art and craft of photography, I’m thrilled to be once again following through to the end with the printed piece.
