Making a Fine Art Photography Print: Anza-Borrego Desert 

IMPORTANT NOTE (for those who care enough to read it) about the comment I made saying the “quality of c-type blows inkjet out of the water.” That was a far over-simplified statement and poor choice of words. C-type is not objectively better than inkjet. Each have their pros and cons, which is why I use and sell both types of prints depending on the application. C-type allows for glazing-free display while inkjet must be protected behind glass, plexiglass, or a spray coating to reach the estimated longevity. I often prefer a glass-free presentation and I generally prefer the look of continuous tone (c-type) prints, but that’s just a matter of preference. Also, I’m aware that inkjet has a longer estimated display life (assuming it’s properly glazed), but the estimated life of c-type, especially when laminated like I do them, has an estimated life that is perfectly acceptable for me. The point here being: each have their pros and cons. The pros of c-type often - but not always - outweigh the cons for me, and I wish I’d chosen my words more carefully to reflect that sentiment.

Nick, I'm going to recommend something that will save you countless hours spotting your files. I shoot 4x5 and have lived through all the tiny circles that Lightroom creates whenever you remove dust specks on negatives....I have felt your pain. Here's what I did that made a WORLD of difference. Buy one of those small-size room ionizers...mine cost $70 or so. Not the HEPA or any filtration device, get an ionizer with a fan. They make your room smell like a waterfall. When you are ready to scan a negative, hold the negative in the airflow for 10-15 seconds and then spray that side with canned air. Flip the negative over and repeat. I usually do this twice, each side. Put it immediately on the (dustless) scanner. You'll be amazed how clean your negatives become, as this removes probably 95% of those damn specks. 2d recommendation: Don't use Lightroom spot remover...use Photograph's healing brush. 90% more efficient on time and resources, and makes it a bearable process on these huge files. Hope this helps. Jim

yesterday I ordered my first print for my living room. Today I saw this amazing video and directly knew that I was right. Great photography is not about Instagram or Facebook to find a like here and there. If you shot a beautiful picture, choose the right one and print it, so you can enjoy it every day, hanging on your wall. Thanks for your great inspiration. 1000 thumbs up

Nothing gets under my skin more than to see someone throw a bunch of photos onto Instagram or Facebook, with some ridiculous cheesy filters on them, and act like they're a photographer because they get comments that "ooh" and "ahh" over them. It's so refreshing to see a young photographer who understands photography as an art form, and isn't pretentious about it. Rock on!

So subtle. It's not only the beauty of the photo, but also the combination of the interior colors make it really stunning.

You, my friend, are a craftsman. Thank you for this video.

Great job Nick. You are one of the few photographers on youtube that actually bring value and education to the table in your videos. I have watch hundreds of photographers on youtube that have pointless videos, or they repeat what others say, bringing no value or education. Thank you Nick for your videos. You are truly helping those who are serious about learning.

I completely agree with everything you said. I'm a landscape photographer myself and I much prefer shooting more fine art, subtle/muted landscapes as opposed to highly saturated or complicated composition images. I particularly agree with the interior design aspect that a picture should accent the room as opposed to being the centre of attention and the colour palette is extremely important not only in the room but the colours in the print and the frame too. Great video 👍🏼

all of today's photographers need to see this , printing is what its all about , Bravo !!!!!

I enjoyed the video Nick, especially the end. Those are my exact thoughts on printing. When you go to some of those expensive "high end" landscape photography galleries, you see nothing but overpowering images. In a gallery setting they might look fine because each print is competing only with the other prints around it for attention. They all shout at the viewer for attention. If you take one of those prints and hang it in someone's dining room, now you just have a very loud and in your face image that dominates the room. I noticed this quite a while back when printing some of my own work to hang on the wall. I found that some of my favorite images just weren't the best choice for certain rooms because of the furniture, etc. The images that were most accommodating were those that had a simple color palette, and enhanced the sense of depth in the room. That's also where Black and white comes into play. You can have 4 or 5 B&W photos displayed on a wall and they all play nicely with each other, even if they are different subjects. Try doing that with 4 or 5 random color photos. No way.

Love the print and you are right. It seems everyone is trying to out do everyone else's sunrise and sunset. Then go crazy with Photoshop. Having done large format for 45 years, and now doing digital color for the first time. I was starting to feel like my old work was no good. But now after hearing you, you are right. I need to go by what my eye sees, my mind feels and what my heart tells me. Thank you for bringing me back to a real world.

Amen brother, prints, any prints are satisfying and prints on the wall will always spark conversation.

You are so right about colourful over saturated prints! Beautiful work Nick!

You know you are a true photographer when you paint your walls a neutral shade of grey! The image looks amazing on your wall and it accentuates your room. bravo!

I come to this video every now and then to get a reminder why I do this. Specially from 6:55 forward. The feeling when for the first time somebody else hangs one of your photos on their wall.

Not a professional photographer but i agree, sometimes something less than perfect is perfect.

"The stuff I want hanging on my walls is the subtle understated stuff". I think you just changed my approach to photography with that one sentence.

your remarks about roomdecoration in balance with the print was very helpfull , so right about all these horrific screaming pictures!! you want to look at a picture thats soothing!

The hours of work completed for this print really make it special. You seem to really know your craft and I truly enjoyed watching.

this is better than the oversaturated stuff that you find in the casual "FineArt Photography Facebook Groups". Oversaturation is the new boredom.

Beautiful. I fully agree that it's most satisfying to put your own pictures on the wall, even if they are not that great like yours.

Little cabinet maker trick for you to align the print inside the frame... When you're trying to get the print centred with your quarter inch gap, use a deck of playing cards. For example, if a quarter inch is 6 playing cards, just count out piles of 6 cards and use those all the way around to get each side even. Basically, using the cards as shims.

I completely agree with you. Colourfull and contrasty pictures may have a wow effect in fact I have that but that won't last most of the time. After a while it still draws you attention but you get bored with it. It is just omnipresent. Nice for a gallery, nice for a calender but not nice in a place where we need some rest and balance. I find your pic great and I learned something today. Thx!

Couldn't agree with you more on the satisfaction of printing your photos vs posting them online. Thanks for the videos

I really agree with your comments about fine art and subtly. When I look at all my landscape shots that have so much WOW factor, ultra wide power compositions with brilliant color, I never want them on my wall. My house is full of black and whites that I never tire looking at. It's easy to get caught up in trying to impress everyone. I call it Ego Photography, but it holds little value for me, and I never want it on my walls.

This understatement/minimalism is even more beautiful in the world of ungodly, pretentious HDR. Keep up the good work!

Watched a few of your videos, and I agree. - Printing for your home is far more satisfying than a picture and likes on social media.

I'm an enthusiast photographer since years but I never got into printing until very recently. Oh boy, what did I miss. It is really an important, interesting and wide topic that every photographer should have a look at. Well it's hard to learn all those new things about printing but it is also fun and I agree, that seeing your print gives greater and longer lasting satisfaction than just posting posting it on instagram, 500px or another online plattform.

What you say at the end about the satisfaction of printmaking vs instagram is SO TRUE

The two guys in this video are very talented.

I'd be one of those people that likes a more colorful landscape normally, but this is just absolutely perfect. I think you nailed it with how it accents the room.

Yes man! you told the rightest thing i've ever heard! My opinion is that Instagram just change the way people "read" and understand photography! I totally agree with what you said!

Bro you just described what fine art photography is all.about in last 3 mins.. genius

I completely agree to your point of view: get your photo printed and get it on the wall ! Nice job

That is a nice print. Photography should definitely be about art and it definitely does seem more like art when you go through this process.

Someone might have mentioned this already, or you've figured it out in the 4 years since you've made this video. But there is a really easy trick to getting the picture nicely centered in the frame. Carpenters use this trick to center drawer fronts. Just push the picture up into 1 corner, so you get maximum gap on the 2 edges not touching the frame. Stack playing cards into that gap. Now take the stacks of playing cards and halve those stacks. You can now put the half stacks around the 4 sides of the picture and it'll be perfectly centered. Oh and by the way. Great video! I really enjoyed it.

I like this guy, he has now add value to my none HDR, not so colourful pictures. Thanks Nick.

Yes, I agree. Making a print, framing it and placing it on the wall is the final step. Keeping that print on the wall and not getting tired of is the real test. It feels even better if you made the print in the darkroom.

I totally agree with what you said at the end of this video! Framed pictures like this is exactly what photography is all about! Fantastic.

This was very informative. Put a spark back into me wanting to continue with photography. Social Media sites really deter me. I know I should not let it affect me but lets be honest one of the first things people ask when they see prints is "what is your screen name". Photo's do NOT look the same on a computer screen. It is impossible due to various printing techniques, back-light of the screen, monitor settings and many more things to consider. I truly believe it is the blending of all the things I mentioned to produce a physical print that is worth the time put in.

That's a great shot beautifully presented. I definitely agree about the appeal of the more subtle prints, especially when printing so large. I'm impressed with your patience and craftsmanship -- I definitely haven't gotten there. Thanks for the videos.

Yea, this is in my opinion the best way of understanding of what image-art is. Regards

I really like the subtlety of the colors... doesn´t beat you with stimulus... well done

Less is definetely more, subtle is epic. Photograph, scanning & mounting job really well done Nick.

"getting the print, hanging it on the wall".... EXACTLY! Excellent video, more importantly excellent work!

agree 100% -nice to shoot some pictures and see them on the screen-cool to develop your own pictures and taking them out of the tanka-wesome to contact print/enlarge your fotos and hold them in your hand-frame your own (developed) prints and hang them on the wall - priceless and super awesome! - gives me chills every time!

Hi Nick. Nice job as usual. In addition to photography, I also have a woodworking shop where I make my own frames. Whenever I make a float frame, I hang it by using what is called a French cleat. Unlike hanging with a wire, the framed print will never go crooked on the wall. A French cleat also provides more support for large, heavy framed prints. Just thought I'd mention it if you haven't come across this method.

Exquisite image! I just got back from my yearly trip to Monterey & Santa Cruz, and saw a lot of "epic" pieces in a gallery I visited. The over-saturated landscape photos that are so popular these days look too cartoonish to my eyes. Your thoughts at the end hit the nail on the head, especially about making prints. Any photographer's legacy isn't in the digital files or even film they shoot, but the final prints they make.

Wow Nick!!! You are completely right. A print is the real thing we should be working for. Thanks so much for the good advice.

super cool and true video abound making the prints and hanging them on a wall. Thanks Nick

that last minute really2 inspiring me, photographer nowadays looking for some likes and share on instagram so they could get more famous, but your words are really2 inspiring for me. we should appreciate our artwork first ! thank you !

Use spacers;) put them inbetween your frame and canvas. They come in different thickness (1mm,2mm, 3mm...) just get a set and see what works. It is easy this way to make an even gap line in curved materials Such inspiring work you do!!!

Very well said, I just start do film only 35mm but to be honest this is the time when i start do prints from every single roll before I did only digital and I was ending up with digital copy on the screen and thats it. Great staff thx for this video.

outstanding advice. love this print and appreciate the effort from start to finish. taking the photograph is just the first of many phases to seeing your finished work hanging on the wall. thanks

Fascinating. It's completely motivated by commercial considerations ie somebody's room color. That is NOT what photography is really about, it's what selling product is completely about, BUT if you want to practice the art form, you do need to unload the prints. Great presentation, very interesting happy to see this.

really like the final print and totally agree with you when it comes to a trend towards supersaturation

Yes, hang em up and enjoy them. In a big book is great too. Thanks, you have inspired me to go out and snap again.

Nice to see the art of photography is still alive. You sumed up instagram about right.

So this was shot on film, not digital? Wow! This whole thing is just amazing. From start to finish!

I love your print, especially on the dark grey background. Also love your attention to details!

Absolutely right, there is no point at all in just posting your pics on flcr what a waste of space. Problem now is that everyone with an iPhone thinks they are a photographer so trying to get your prints out there is a big ask. Anyway thanks for the video keep them coming. Regards from London U.K.

Totally get the end on the satisfaction of printing, framing, and then hanging them up! Once I started doing that, I pretty much lost interest on Instagram. Great video, you have a new sub!

I've been fealing a real agony towards (my) photography and worthless mass consumption instagram culture. Today I've seen two eye-opening things. 1. I hate quotes, but I heard Von Wong borrowing this in Snapchat "Inspiration Is for Amateurs-The Rest of Us Just Show Up and Get to Work". I think I have to tattoo in my forehead to quit explaining. 2. This video. You are a true craftsman and I admire work that you do. This is something I'd like to archieve someday.

I like the photo a lot. I drive thru anzo barrego a lot for my job, I'm going to have to slow down a bit and take some shots. Usually I photograph AB from atop Mt. Laguna. I like the subtlety and shades in your photo, it's what I strive for sometimes.

Completely insightful. Unrealistic ideals of the photographer...boom, mind was just blown. Thank you for the alternative thought process!

These videos are fantastic. Thanks so much for sharing! Every day I think about how badly I want to see my work in print.

Very cool. I used to use 35mm slides projected on walls for art work during parties, but it was never cost effective for every day art. Large works can really influence the feel of a room.

Wow, this is gold! I almost forgot about print I am ashamed to say. This video is so inspiring and has just reminded me of a few things that I seem to have neglected. Thank you sir.

I like it. For all the same reasons as you mentioned. Something that blends in and enhances the room is better than something that draws attention. Great work mate.

Beautiful work, Nick! The restrained colour palette is sublime. The guy who ran the print lab at my uni always told us to either print really big or really small, this image shows why! :D

thanks for that end pitch about the satisfaction! so true! i dont post any of my pictures to social media really

Your approach to Art resonates quite deeply in me, congrats and keep up the excellent work !!!

Love your advice on subtle, complimentary tones in regard to designing a homes look.

YUP, You're right in every word you've said.. WONDERFUL JOB... hope to see more of this...

You hit the nail on the head with subtleties, amazing work! Thanks for the vids and info.

Perfect print. I really dig your description about the way this landscape works. It has an almost abstract vibe into it. Matches well with your wall too!

Preach brother! Well said. Thanks for sharing.

Very good video with an important message - thanks for making it Nick! One little tip regarding dust spotting large scans: for some reason Lightroom really is not suited for those super large files. Dust spotting raw files in size larger than ~1GB brings even a dustbin MacPro to a screeching halt. What I do with raw file scans is this workflow: - scan the film with VueScan on Minolta film scanners, getting the most out of the negative in terms of color, exposure and resolution (with my MultiPro I do 6x12 negs in two scans with the double newton glass holder and stitch the tiff files in photoshop) - import resulting 16bit tiff file into Lightroom, making initial settings but ignoring dust just yet (now I check the file in Lightroom if the scan was satisfactory and simply verify for any technical issues) - when I am absolutely sure that the file is final -> take the original tiff file into Photoshop, choose the Lasso tool and dust spot a small portion of the image at a time (zoomed in sufficiently) by selecting many dust spots at a time (use a Wacom tablet for this, not a mouse which makes it MUCH faster and more precise) - use the fill tool for this - when finished spotting, simply flatten the image, save the tiff file in Photoshop and simply recalculating the 1:1 preview in Lightroom - continue with any necessary preparations for print including pre sharpening and output sharpening (I print directly out of Lightroom) Working this way, even a modest computer (I often do this on 6x6 and 6x12 negatives on an old MacbookPro attached to an external 4K Eizo monitor) can easily handle the large files and dust spotting is really responsive and fast. A MacPro simply sings along without a hitch. A 6x12 scan needs about 2-6 hours total in several sessions (to keep sanity) to fix dust, scratches and watermarks this way. I wouldn't do this working step in Lightroom any longer - simply too frustrating as it hogs the computer and slugs about.

Beautiful job Nick on both the picture and frame!

Nick - your photography channel is my favourite on yt. Keep it up 👍

Amazing, and very inspirational. I also LOVE Anza-Borrego. Can't tell you how much time I've spent there. Thanks.

awesome job!!!!! Something about the picture that's so simple yet it puts you right in the middle of the desert! Great inspiration! Now I want to go to my ranch in Anza and start shooting!

Beautiful picture! No need to defend the subtlety, it speaks for itself. I'd love to hear more about printing processes for fine art.

Hey man,you are a perfectionist.You kinda take aesthetics to another level.Damn good.Keep up the great work.This world needs people like you to beautify things around.Hope I could lay my hand on the DESERT pic.

Amazing image and project. An understated image like that works well in the size, perfectly represents the desert there and speaks volumes in it's simplicity.

Thank you, Nick. You've really inspired me to try and take up landscape photography and hopefully get good enough to make a large print for my living room. I really like your videos!

you just inspired me to start printing man. You are my guru now.

The new Epson Ultrachrome HD inkjet blows this older method out of the water now. Technology marches on!

Beautiful print! Thanks for sharing this and your other videos, a really refreshing change from the hyperreal landscape photos that abound on the web.

Very usefull informations, thank you. It is not always about the resolution, colors, but the mood captured in photograph and emotions, it evokes, when looking at it.

Again a beautiful video - I think nobody does something like this and record it in this fashion with such high quality - thank you very much for your approach and sharing it!

excellent, great inspiration. you really find the right words and also the right image

wow this is beautifull, i really needed to hear you comment about the image not being the center of the room and that accentuating a room is a room . cheers and best of luck

So mich truth in your „understatement“ topic. A flashy big image may be perfect for a gallery but in your home, it’s usually just to much.

That looks fantastic with that presentation, especially on that color wall.

Great video Nick. Your definition of "what photography is..." really resonated with me. Thanks for the inspiration my friend.

An excellent video Nick and I totally agree with your idea of getting ones prints on the wall. I have about a dozen which could go up, some going back to the 70's. My thoughts on printing have changed, where once I was dismissive and thought " Nah, no need for that.." now, I'm planning on my own Top 10. Subbed..👍

8:20 you hit the nail on the head, and I wish I'd realized it sooner

I agree with your remarks entirely about making prints, I never put my work on the internet because the majority of people on the web because they have a DSLR and a lens or two think they are photographers and they know nothing of the art and science of photography.

I hope to get there. Thank's for the encouragement.