It's not a requirement to submit prints for formal assessment, so you may choose to submit your work for the self directed project in a different format, such as a book or a multimedia piece. However, for the purposes of this exercise, please imagine that you are going to submit prints.
1. Search the internet for different companies offering inkjet and c-type printing. Compile three quotes for getting your work professionally printed, with a variety of different options such as c-type or inkjet, for portfolio review. Prices will be available on the companies' websites. This kind of information is useful to inform your project proposal.
2. Imagine you will order from one of these companies. Prepare one image file exactly as specified by the printers.
3. Write a brief entry in your learning log, reflecting on whether you feel an inkjet can be treated as a "photograph".
At level 1, I had work for assessment printed by a couple of different companies. Derby University offer a print service who gave me a lesson in types of paper, looked at my prints and recommended rag paper. Another company I used were helpful with formatting images when I couldn't get one to the right size but are no longer offering the printing side of their work.
A colleague recommended DSCL Colour Labs which I used for inkjet printing. I was not entirely happy with the result because I was not familiar with Lightroom's softproofing feature or the company's colour profiles, so I attended the Photography Show this year to develop my skill set. Having decided that my Canon Printer's inks dry out far too quickly, I spoke to my local Tesco labs to see if it was an option to initially print assignment prints as part of the selection process, then print professionally. He informed me that their printer adds a dark filter to the images which make most people's images more attractive. This cannot be taken off. Once the photos were uploaded, even though the crop line was checked, the printer still didn't follow the rules! So that is not an option for me. It prompted me to consider a range of on-line services, so production and delivery time will be important features in my 3 companies for this exercise.
Assignment 5 = 21 images
Quote 1 Peak Imaging
7"x7" on an A4 sheet (11.7x8.5") 2 }
10" x " on A4 sheet 19 } 21 x A4 @ £2.20=£46.20
P and P £ 3.50
Total £49.70
Paper choice Satin Matt (Fuji crystal archive DP11)
Special requirements set resolution to 254ppi
save image as sRGB colour space
jpeg or tiff file
no more than 17.8mb each
Quote 2 DSCL Colour Labs
ctype prints
7"x7" on an A4 sheet (11.7x8.5") 2 }
10" x " on A4 sheet 19 } 21 x A4 @ £0.65 =£13.65
P and P £ 5.99
Total £19.64
Paper choice Fuji DP II Lustre
7"x7" on 12"x9" sheet (11.7x8.5") 2 }
10" x " on 12"x9" sheet 19 } 21 x 12"x9" @ £3.75 =£78.75
P and P £ 5.99
Total £84.74
10" x " on 12"x9" sheet 19 } 21 x 12"x9" @ £3.75 =£78.75
P and P £ 5.99
Total £84.74
Inkjet prints
Paper choice Fujicolour crystal archive digital pearl
7"x7" on an A4 sheet (11.7x8.5") 2 }
10" x " on A4 sheet 19 } 21 x A4 @ £7.50 =£157.50
P and P £ 5.99 or Interlink
Total £163.49
Paper choice Hahnemuhle photo rag
10" x " on A4 sheet 19 } 21 x A4 @ £7.50 =£157.50
P and P £ 5.99 or Interlink
Total £163.49
Paper choice Hahnemuhle photo rag
(2-4 days processing time)
Special requirements sRGB colour space
print size 300dpi
add 2-3mm to image for crop
only ctype profile on website - email for other paper profiles
Quote 3 Simlabs
Ctype prints
7"x7" on an A4 sheet (11.7x8.5") 2 }
10" x " on A4 sheet 19 } 21 x A4 @ £0.65 =£13.65
P and P £ 5.99
Total £19.64
10" x " on A4 sheet 19 } 21 x A4 @ £0.65 =£13.65
P and P £ 5.99
Total £19.64
Paper choice Fuji DP II Lustre
Inkjet prints
7"x7" on an A4 sheet (11.7x8.5") 2 }
10" x " on A4 sheet 19 } 21 x A4 @ £5.60 =£117.60
P and P £ 5.99 or Interlink
Total £123.59
Paper choice Fotospeed fine art lustre
7"x7" on an A4 sheet (11.7x8.5") 2 }
10" x " on A4 sheet 19 } 21 x A4 @ £8.00 =£168.00
P and P £ 5.99 or Interlink
Total £173.99
Paper choice Hahnemuhle photo rag
10" x " on A4 sheet 19 } 21 x A4 @ £5.60 =£117.60
P and P £ 5.99 or Interlink
Total £123.59
Paper choice Fotospeed fine art lustre
7"x7" on an A4 sheet (11.7x8.5") 2 }
10" x " on A4 sheet 19 } 21 x A4 @ £8.00 =£168.00
P and P £ 5.99 or Interlink
Total £173.99
Special requirements sRGB colour space
print size 300dpi
add 2-3mm to image
only ctype profile on website - email for other paper profiles
sRGB profile (sRGB IEC61966-2.1)
Using DSCL Colour Labs, I downloaded the printer profile for DC Colour Labs Frontier Lustre and softproofed the images accordingly in Lightroom CC. I opened it in Photoshop CC, altered the resolution to 300ppi as recommended by the printing company and set the image size to 10"x6.667". I added the image to the 11.7"x8.3" canvas to give me an A4 print size.
For the purpose of illustration for my blog, I changed the border colour to grey.
Is an inkjet a photograph?
The Oxford English dictionaries on line (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/photograph) defines the word photograph as "a picture made using a camera, in which an image is focused on to light-sensitive material and then made visible and permanent by chemical treatment, or stored digitally". So a photograph is the process by which the image is made.
Some papers and inks guarantee a photograph will last 40 years, some 100 years. With a giclee print, ink is sprayed onto the paper using a different format from ctype prints. I think the ultimate decision over the medium of choice should rest with the artist and/or gallery. Obviously cost will play a major part in it. Could you sell an inkjet photograph for a sum of money? I see no reason why it is not possible. Some artists in galleries mount their prints and number them 1 of .... with a signature. Martin Parr's Rhubarb Triangle exhibition at the Hepworth in Wakefield contained prints which were positioned on the wall with magnets and no frames. These could be damaged by fingermarks. The Print Space recommends ctype images can be cleaned with a damp cloth. So I see them as cheaper to produce and more durable although maybe not as long lasting as an image printed onto Hahnemuhle rag paper.
Using DSCL Colour Labs, I downloaded the printer profile for DC Colour Labs Frontier Lustre and softproofed the images accordingly in Lightroom CC. I opened it in Photoshop CC, altered the resolution to 300ppi as recommended by the printing company and set the image size to 10"x6.667". I added the image to the 11.7"x8.3" canvas to give me an A4 print size.
For the purpose of illustration for my blog, I changed the border colour to grey.
The Oxford English dictionaries on line (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/photograph) defines the word photograph as "a picture made using a camera, in which an image is focused on to light-sensitive material and then made visible and permanent by chemical treatment, or stored digitally". So a photograph is the process by which the image is made.
Some papers and inks guarantee a photograph will last 40 years, some 100 years. With a giclee print, ink is sprayed onto the paper using a different format from ctype prints. I think the ultimate decision over the medium of choice should rest with the artist and/or gallery. Obviously cost will play a major part in it. Could you sell an inkjet photograph for a sum of money? I see no reason why it is not possible. Some artists in galleries mount their prints and number them 1 of .... with a signature. Martin Parr's Rhubarb Triangle exhibition at the Hepworth in Wakefield contained prints which were positioned on the wall with magnets and no frames. These could be damaged by fingermarks. The Print Space recommends ctype images can be cleaned with a damp cloth. So I see them as cheaper to produce and more durable although maybe not as long lasting as an image printed onto Hahnemuhle rag paper.
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