Thursday 17 January 2013

How to make your Photos "Pop" - Part I


Introduction:
Many people want to get the JPEGS from the photographer.  This is something that we offer also.  But, I always tell my customers that if you want even better looking photos, have me with my years of Photoshop experience do my magic for you.
We are always asked why our prints look so amazing.  I tell my customers that it is a combination of many factors from ink, paper, technique and Photoshop and other software.
Discussion:
I recently received comments from one of weddings.  With their package, they received 24 - 8x10 touched up images.  As we print these images in house, we can control a great deal of information that goes to the printer.
Let me first discuss the basic print.  For wedding albums, we can print in 3 different formats.  Having a Professional Epson Stylus printer does make a big difference.  We have the choice between 3 different color spaces to use.  Shooting in RAW gives us the best color range of either Adobe RGB or ProPhoto.  ProPhoto has a slightly better color gamut and is the best one to use.
Next comes the paper and ink that we use.  The Epson K3 Archival Quality ink will not begin to fade if the Print is left in direct sunlight for 75 years.  Put it into an album or shield it behind glass the the life will be even longer.  We offer 3 choices of paper.  All the papers are Epson or other high end manufactures.  We off Matt, Luster or Gloss finish.  Many people love our high end Ultra smooth matte paper.  It is however very expense.  None of our papers are low cost.  250 Luster sheets can cost around $150.00  The cost of the ink is triple the cost of the paper even when using 110 ml or 220 ml cart.  The highest Gamut paper is the luster and gloss finish.  We prefer the Luster finish and is our default finish.
There is something that I just hate to hear or rather see.  The bride and groom spend thousands on their wedding, hire a photographer and say get the DVD.  The bride will say, "do you want to see my wedding pictures"?  Then she pulls out a paper folder with all of her prints in it!  For this reason, we offer 3 packages with professional albums and also small professional albums for 5x7 prints.  This is your wedding.  You are special and so are your memories.
Summary:
Inks, paper and albums all help to make your prints look their best.  Professional photographers will be able to offer you a selection of methods to best present your treasured memories.  Don't expect your 15 cent Wally Mart prints to look like ours.  Our ink and paper costs way more than that just to start.
On our next post I will discuss a simple way in photoshop to make your prints "pop" with very little adjustment.  That of course is Not the only thing that we do to make them "pop" but it is an important step.

Kirk is  a Professional Wedding Photographer in Windsor Ontario Canada.   In appreciation if you would be so kind as to give a G+ and a Facebook Like KW Masters Photography on his Facebook page.  
Vistek.ca for your professional camera needs.