Perhaps, like me, you've been tempted by one of the large
printers, the type that's capable of producing prints larger than
24 inches on a side, with some of these printers capable of making
prints up to 48 inches long. These printers can make spectacular
prints, and there is absolutely no doubt that these images are
impressive when displayed on a wall. At various times, I've had
the opportunity to buy, used, a 4000 and a 7000 series printer,
but each time I've passed, with some degree of reluctance. But
with a reason, as well.
If you've been tempted in a similar way, perhaps these suggestions will help guide you.
One: There's no doubt that there is a lust factor involved
in wanting a large printer. Bigger is better, right?
Two: Well, the prints are large, but so, too, are the printers.
The Epson 7600, for example, is as big as a small table, and will
occupy a nice hunk of realestate in any home office. In our office,
for example, it would require a complete reorganization, and even
then, the position of the printer would be compromised. You'll
have to think about that, too.
Three: Big prints are expensive, and with some printers, if you
decide to change inks, it can be costly as well.
Four, and this is the clincher: What are you going to do with
the prints? If you make large prints, unless you have a huge house
with plenty of wall space, you'll quickly run out of space for
displaying your images. Bigger, suddenly, may not be better. I
know of a few owners who offset the cost of their printer, and
who can make some use out of their printer, by doing so on a semi-commercial
basis. Those that do this are excellent printers and Photoshop
masters, and the prints they produce are extremely professional.
Are you that good? Do you have a marketing base where photographers
can use your services, assuming that you are?
Five: Do you like making prints?
In preparation for being out of the office for about eight week,
I had to prepare Mary Ann and my BBC Wildlife Photographer of
the Year photo competition, which involves making prints of our
digital entries. Back in the old days of slide film, I used to
feel inconvenienced having to take the time to select my slide
entries, which rarely involved more than a couple of three hours
of work. With this digital submission, for Mary and me, I spent
nearly three full days. Besides the normal headaches of deciding
upon exactly which image to use, at least ten minutes, and sometimes
twenty or so, was spent in optimizing the image, from the Capture
One RAW conversion to the Photoshop work and the final printing.
We had nearly 60 prints, and after doing the last print I can
say I'm not a fan of printing. I certainly have the entire workflow
down pat, and made terrific prints, but ... let me out in the
field to shoot!
So, before you go out and spend big dollars on a huge printer,
consider the points offered above. Then, if you do buy a printer
and don't like it, contact me, and maybe I'll buy it from you
for a song! Just kidding.
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