Printing images on photographic paper

[Tulloch (Andrew)]

Hi there, I recently printed my "2020 best-of planetary" image at Harvey Norman in 8x12 Matte for $2, and it came out quite nicely (especially for the price). I also tried a gloss version of the same image, however the warm colour cast was significant on the gloss paper, and detracted from the sharpness of Saturn and the neutrality of the Moon. The difference in colour cast came as quite a surprise to the operators (who to be fair, are probably not image professionals), but for such a low cost it was worth investigating.

I would highly recommend this to everyone, the Fuji Frontier machines used at HN are high quality and you can't really go wrong for $2 a pop. I'm also thinking of making a 20 page photobook, has anyone had any experience with these at HN or elsewhere?

[glend (Glen)]

Print to Metal, in Melbourne for me, but your talking about significantly more $ than paper prints.

[Tulloch (Andrew)]

Thanks Glen, I've never heard of printing to metal, seems pretty popular... Where do you get yours done? (I note HN has a deal on right now, 60% off for 12x18")
https://www.harveynormanphotos.com.a...=5237832056863

[leon]

Andrew I am glad you are happy with your print, however I wouldn't come close to using one of those machines for any printing.

They use cheap paper and bulk cheap ink, hence the low price.

I as many here print our own images on a good printer and quality paper and the recommended quality ink, yes it works out pretty costly at times however the prints will last

I hate to say it but your print will change colour over time and will probably last 12 months on the wall if that is what you choose to do with it.

Andrew if you can stay well away, if you want quality prints, hence the price.

leon

[Tulloch (Andrew)]

Thanks Leon, sounds like we have had very different experiences of printing using the Fuji Frontier machines. Back in my old film days, I took images using Fuji Reala film (the good stuff, not the standard 100/200/400 commercial film) and photographed my sister's wedding and a couple of my friends' too (as a hobby, in addition to the professional photographer).

I had 8x10's printed onto the Fuji paper using a Fuji Frontier machine (at a commercial photo printer), and they have had them on display (albeit behind glass) for 10+ years, and still look as good as the day I printed them (and I am pretty particular about these images ).

I have seen terrible results from Kodak printers (the kind they have in Officeworks), they didn't even last a few months, but the Frontier machines I have never had an issue with.

Maybe they have changed their process in recent times, but my experience has been that photos printed on a Frontier machine on Fuji Crystal Archive paper is impressive.

[leon]

Excellent Andrew, like you said, maybe things have changed, and for the better it seems.

Leon

[Tulloch (Andrew)]

No worries Leon, I'll spot you the $2 if you want to have a try for yourself . But seriously, if you do give it a try, I'd be interested in your results.

I always assumed that they run these printers at cost or at a loss, just to get people into the store - go in for a 35c photo, come home with a $1000 flat screen TV...