About Prints

As a landscape photographer I feel that the ultimate purpose of an art photograph is to exist in the form of a print. Art serves it’s purpose best when it can occupy our living and working spaces, so that we can experience it through the course of our daily lives. To me there’s no better way than art on a wall. In case you are one of those who feel as I do, and are curious about my prints, here’s what you can expect. Throughout the years I have always strived to produce the best quality prints possible with the tools afforded me. At one time that generally required making prints in a darkroom, but today I find that a pigment print, made using a very high quality photographic inkjet printer, is the preferred method. There are numerous reasons, but some that stand out are: The precision with which you can control the process and manage the subtleties of the print. The image quality and archival stability of todays finest color pigment ink-sets. The ability, when desired, to print much larger sizes than was practical in most darkrooms. And one of my favorite reasons, the beautiful matte finish fine art papers one now has to choose from. The best of these are made in European paper mills established in some cases over 400 years ago. These papers have a heritage that has stood the test of time, and coupled with the best of modern inkjet paper coatings and inks, produce velvety prints with no surface glare. Their display life far exceeds that of light sensitive color print processes commonly used prior, and that are still in use today. All printing is done by me personally in my own studio. Each print is titled just below the image on the left side while the TrueLight Gallery name and logo is on the right. A small number of my photographs are limited editions. I explored the idea briefly for a time, and so images that began being acquired from me during that period are limited to no more than 21 editions and 3 artist proofs (artist proofs are reserved for artists use), after which, excluding book use, no more will be made. For prints of all such photographs, the edition number is marked beneath the image as well. To know which photographs are effected this way, you will find them indicated as “limited edition” beneath the image title on it’s gallery page.

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Considerations on framing and display

"A picture without a frame is like a soul without a body.”   Vincent van Gogh

Mounting - The print will need to be attached to some form of substrate in order to be framed. There are a number of options available but the traditional and still good one for photographic prints is archival mat board, preferably cotton rag but at the very least acid free. Because my prints are shipped flat and the paper is fairly heavy weight, they are not very subject to waviness or curling. This together with the matte finish makes them well suited to a method of securement known as the hinge mount. This is my preferred choice for print sizes up to 20x26 and has the advantage of being reversible, as the only point of attachment is the top backside edge of the print border with special acid free linen tape. This is widely used by conservators for securing paper artwork, and although the print may not lay absolutely flat, it is not highly discernible with a matte surface. 

Dry-mounting is another widely used method, and although not strictly archival or reversible, offers a perfectly flat surface. This method really comes into its own with the larger image sizes, 24x30 and above. There are both hot and cold methods of dry-mounting, but both involve an adhesive being applied under pressure between the substrate and the back of the print, either by press or rollers. If using the heat activated adhesive I would want to know that it is the low temperature type, with a melting point between 150 and 170 degrees F.

Glass - The general practice for art on paper is that it be protected with glass. Although regular glass will work, you might want to consider some of the options available. There are glass formulations that provide varying degrees of UV protection, especially useful when you’re hanging the artwork in rooms with high levels of natural light, or in rooms with fluorescent lighting, both of which have a high UV count. UV light accelerates the fading or color shifting of artwork noticeably. In addition to the UV protection there are types of glass with a special multi-coating, which reduces distracting light reflections. Viewed straight on or nearly so in more controlled lighting, the glass can virtually disappear. I find it less successful when next to large window sources, but still worthwhile. Please note this is not the same as the old style “non-glare” glass you used to see, which reduces clarity. A well known brand name is Tru Vue. They make quite a variety of versions so I’ll mention a few worth considering.“Museum Glass” offers the highest UV protection of 99% along with reflection control. One of the best all round performers for the money is called “Ultra Vue UV70”. It has 70% UV protection plus  reflection control, and the glass is water white, which is free of the green tint most glass has. All for about half the cost of Museum Glass. You can also buy glass with just the reflection control or UV protection.

No Glass -  A number of years ago I started using no glass on occasion where the conditions permit. The matte finish provides a complete lack of surface reflections which makes a compelling presentation, and allows the print to be enjoyed from any viewing angle. There are risks of course. The paper surface is somewhat delicate and could be scuffed if not exercising some care when cleaning or by accidental rubbing. Likewise you’ll want to avoid liquids coming in contact with the surface.  The image will also fade faster without glass. But if hung in an environment that avoids overly bright light like southern exposures with large windows, the print life should still be quite good. One of the foremost experts in the field of testing for lightfastness, has run tests with the inks I’m using. Based on his research it should be possible to go 50 or more years before noticeable fading will occur. This is without glass. Using regular glass, the estimate climbs to 100 plus years, and with the best UV glass, 200 plus years. This all assumes moderate light levels with no direct sunlight falling on the print surface. Other factors effecting the life of a print are humidity and airborne contaminants. So depending on the environment it may or may not be wise to go without glass, however it is something to consider. If the idea intrigues you I will offer a couple more practical tips. First I would suggest something like an ostrich feather duster or similar synthetic alternative, to be used lightly and sparingly for cleaning. And secondly, when framing without glass you shouldn't use a conventional window mat, as it may bow outward and leave unsightly gaps between it and the print. Other options such as wood or linen liners can be used, as they often are with paintings. A qualified framer can help with this.

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