Printing and inspiration

Posted by Paul on December 7, 2007
Posted in: Photography.

I feel that my favorite photographer is Paul Lester. I just get his work. I understand where he’s coming from! ;-) Since getting my Epson 3800, I’ve printed a number of prints, not a huge number like I thought I would, but about 14 or so 13 x 19 prints. As I start hanging prints on my previously bare walls, it adds a certain ‘flavor’ to the house. Also, it is having an unexpected side effect on me. I’m inspired to shoot even more and come back with pictures that I can hang on the wall! When the images resided on the computer only, they didn’t have the same effect.

Now, when I’m out, sometimes I see a shot and think: Hmmmm, that might look great above the fireplace, or perhaps in the guest bathroom, etc. I don’t go out with this intention, but I do get the feeling sometimes. Also, as I go back through my archives, I see more and pictures that I would like to hang. Time to go to Office Max and get some more Velcro!

I’m still hanging the gallery style prints, without frames. I just love the modern look and, instead of costing $75+/print to hang, it only costs about $ 4.00. Plus, our home is starting to morph into a very non-traditional home so frames don’t quite fit. We are starting to have bold colored walls, contemporary furniture, heck we even have a meditation room!

Anyway, seeing my work in print makes me appreciate it even more, not the work itself, but the subject that I captured and the feelings that I had when I took the picture. If you’ve never printed and hung something on the wall, you might give it a try. Share your creative energy with others and yourself. Also, it is a constant reminder for me that I’ve only captured a minuscule amount of the beauty and that I need to keep my eyes open for more! I know, now I’m a printing evangelist! I told you that I’ve changed over the year!

About the image: Forbidden Territory was taken a couple of days ago. The sun was about to set so I went for a walk in Reedy Creek Park with my Nikon D40 to see what I could see. Very close to the trail head there is an old dilapidated sharecropper’s cabin surrounded by barbed wire fence. The sun was only on this fence post and wire for a moment. I had time to take just a few shots. During the rest of the year, the sun doesn’t penetrate this far into the woods because of all of the leaves on the tree. Another plus for winter time shooting!

Addendum: 2008/12/08 The quoted costs of about $75 was based on prices of frames, mats, mount boards, and hanging kits from local stores such as Hobby Lobby. I have found that I can get a complete kit with 4-ply mat for about $45, including shipping from Frame Destination. This price is for 12×18 inch artwork, 16×22 inch frame with glazing (glass). They have a number of types available. I can see that it is best not to buy these items locally as you have to endure a large mark up.

Related Posts :

5 comments on “Printing and inspiration”

  1. Glad to hear you’re getting into printing Paul; it adds a whole new dimension to one’s photography. And of course the 3800 is one of the best; got one myself last March. I wish I could get by with less expensive “hangings” like you do. My wife wanted a 16×20 tulip abstract hung this past summer; and of course she wanted an olive wood frame, with a nice matt and conservatory glass. Bottom line, even after the professional discount she received, $350! Needless to say not too many of those will be going up in our house. Actually, of the more than 25 photos we have hanging in our house, only 1 is in a wood frame, all the rest (all black and whites images) are in generic black metal frames (much, much less expensive).

    By the way, I like the abstract direction some of your work is taking; very nice indeed.

  2. Thanks, John. I think that some of them may be placed into frames, especially the larger prints. As I see, now, when the foam board gets around the 13×19 size, it starts to warp pretty quickly, so mats and frames may be in order. The ones that I hung yesterday are starting to bow a bit. I’ll have to resort the generic black metal frames, too! :-)

  3. This is beautiful in it’s simplicity.

    You know what is kind of odd. I don’t tend to hang photos on my walls. I’ve always preferred to hang oils and acrylics. It’s odd because I have tons of framed prints. The only ones I have hanging are because I ran out of space to store them for sale.

    I am planning on re-doing my office and my kids office and a sort of un-room which would make kind of a cool showcase/gallery room. It’s like a large hall with lots of wall space and no real purpose except a space between the front and rear of the house.

  4. We are on the same track again. I decided a while ago to have at least one photo enlarged a month and frame it up nicely to hang on the wall. You’re right about seeing your own work hanging on the wall inspiring you to go out and shoot more. And I’m really inspired now, wait until you hear what I received for my very late (10 months late) 20th anniversary/4oth birthday/Christmas gift from my husband that arrived yesterday!!!! Anyway, how am I going to squeeze in a visit to the Lester Museum of Art when we hike next year? I might need a video tour burned on CD.

  5. Pingback: Print Presentation « Musings on Photography

Comments are closed.