Examples of images best suited for printing on matte ?

Kumsa · Jan 6, 2016

I'm familiar with the technical differences between matte and glossy/luster/semi-gloss. But, a couple of times, I've printed B/W matte and was disappointed.

Matte is good for fine midtone detail, surface smoothness; poor at high dynamic range work. So. . . what sort of image is a prime candidate for matte ?

Jim Hess · Jan 6, 2016

I haven't done a lot of black-and-white printing. But I have been experimenting a little bit over the last week with printing on matte photo paper. I hesitate to share this image, but you asked for examples. It isn't a particularly good image, but I was taken by the sharpness and color in the image and decided to see how it would print on matte paper. I must say that it turned out even better than I expected. The print almost has a three-dimensional look to it. I attribute the success of the print to the saturated colors, high level of contrast, and good shadow detail. Probably isn't going to help you, but these types of images are what I have had success with printing on matte photo paper.

Kumsa · Jan 7, 2016

Jim, that's exactly the information that I was seeking. Thanks.

And, it's precisely opposite of what I would have thought would work !

However, I do think that a large, well done, matte helps dissolve the barrier between the image and the viewer. There isn't any reflective sheen and it picks up the ambient light.

What size was the final print ? I'm guessing on the larger size.

mike earussi · Jan 7, 2016

There are so many different matte surfaces, each with their own unique characteristics, that's it's hard to make a blanket statement as to what kind of image works best with "matte" paper.

I use several different types depending on the image. For my florals I prefer a heavily textured watercolor paper like Canson's Arches Aquarelle. For portraits and some landscapes I like a hot pressed very white paper like Canson's Rag Photographique. Both are 100% rag of a heavy weight without OBAs and so are archival.

But there are dozens of others as well that also work for many different subjects. It really depends on the emotional content you're trying to impart to your image, as each paper modifies that to some extent. My suggestion is for you to experiment by buying sample packs from the various manufactures, Canson and Hahnemuhle for starters, as they tend to have the greatest variety. But do stay away from the cheaper papers initially, at least until you can see what the really high quality papers can produce.

Keith Cooper · Jan 7, 2016

This is one of the more common questions I get asked doing talks about black and white printing.

I do a few such talks each year for UK camera clubs (and about colour management) and take plenty of example prints on different media.

I wish I had some solid guidelines to answer, but it so much depends on the style of image and your personal tastes. This is after I get to print a lot of stuff when doing my various printer and paper reviews.

Perhaps the image of mine which I most like on a smooth matte cotton rag paper is this one I took on a trip to the US a few years ago.

It's part of my B&W printer test image, so I've seen it on an awful lot of paper types. Printed on lustre/gloss papers the blacks are just too dark and the high contrast is not to my liking.

There is a full 'making of' article about that image at:

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www.northlight-images.co.uk

if anyone is curious.

I find proportionately fewer of my colour images work (to my satisfaction) on matt papers, but I have ones that work very well.

I suppose that given my longstanding distrust of many of the 'perceived wisdoms' in photography I really shouldn't be too surprised to find that I can't codify any guide to what paper works best ;-)

--
bye for now
Keith Cooper

Kumsa · Jan 9, 2016

Keith, that's really helpful. I'll be reading your article this weekend, but in the meanwhile, the image your shared fits well with my increasing awareness of what would be considered appropriate for matte paper. I think of it as if there is some sort of Venn diagram of papers and images, with some outliers, some maybes, and a few certainties.

VA-ArtG · Jan 9, 2016

I buy my paper from Red River and this link suggests what papers they feel work best for various subjects. Hope it provides food for thought.

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www.redrivercatalog.com

Kumsa · Jan 9, 2016

Yes, RedRiver is great, and I use several of their papers (love their pano for Pro-100) and I've read their write-ups.

However, I'm still looking for examples of images that others have found work well on matte. I'm tired of "testing' and finding the results lack luster.

mike earussi · Jan 10, 2016

Kumsa said:
Yes, RedRiver is great, and I use several of their papers (love their pano for Pro-100) and I've read their write-ups.

However, I'm still looking for examples of images that others have found work well on matte. I'm tired of "testing' and finding the results lack luster.

One of my favorites for watercolor paper: http://www.pbase.com/mikeearussi/image/157026247

Kumsa · Jan 10, 2016

That is really interesting -- it makes sense to me that the dreamy composition of the flower would be suited for matte.

Thanks -- very helpful

mike earussi · Jan 11, 2016

Kumsa said:
That is really interesting -- it makes sense to me that the dreamy composition of the flower would be suited for matte.

Thanks -- very helpful

Glad to help. And with practice you can start taking specific photos for specific papers.

Marcin 3M · Jan 12, 2016

I have made random comparison between glossy and matte fineart, using Epson 3880, with profiles cerated using colormnunki.

The diference between prints was smaller than I expected.

Personally I'm "sold" to matte papers. Environment reflections don't disturb wievers, and prints are looking more like artwork rather than print.

BDW_12 · Jan 13, 2016

I printed this image on Epson Cold Press Bright (3880) and was disappointed at first so I printed it on Exhibition Fiber. After a day or two, I decided to go with the matte. I liked the blacks better and it had more of a 3d look than the Exhibition Fiber (luster). I'm not sure if there is a formula for determining what image is going to look better using matte. Generally, I prefer matte. I hope this helps.

--
--Bruce

osu · Jan 13, 2016

Kumsa said:
I'm familiar with the technical differences between matte and glossy/luster/semi-gloss. But, a couple of times, I've printed B/W matte and was disappointed.

Matte is good for fine midtone detail, surface smoothness; poor at high dynamic range work. So. . . what sort of image is a prime candidate for matte ?

I print a fair amount of pics to painting type of images on matte paper and that seems to be perfect for that kind of low dynamic range image.

Kumsa · Jan 15, 2016

Bruce, interesting example. I just wouldn't have popped out and said that your image would show well in matte, but looking at with your comments, I believe it. Thanks. Very helpful.

frontal_lobe · Jan 17, 2016

I'm in a similar situation to you, having recently bought a P600. Printing at home is new to me and trying to predict what works on which paper is not immediately intuitive. I've found it really helpful to buy some sample packs of paper to try out. One of the posters above mentioned this too. I've been working through the samples from Permajet as a starting point, and I'll try some from other manufacturers as well. The good thing about going this route is that not all matt or glass papers are the same: I've been astonished at the differences between papers that are in the same family. I get the impression that the only way to learn is through expensive experience.

HTH,

Anthony.

jrkliny · Jan 17, 2016

frontal_lobe said:
........ I get the impression that the only way to learn is through expensive experience.

HTH,

Anthony.

I guess the expense is relative. I am always amazed at the number of people who invest thousands or tens of thousands of dollars in camera gear and then are too cheap to buy a decent printer and spend the money to make prints.

I am cheap but find it costs little to print at 8 1/2 x 11.

mike earussi · Jan 17, 2016

jrkliny said:
frontal_lobe said:

........ I get the impression that the only way to learn is through expensive experience.

HTH,

Anthony.

Click to expand...

I guess the expense is relative. I am always amazed at the number of people who invest thousands or tens of thousands of dollars in camera gear and then are too cheap to buy a decent printer and spend the money to make prints.

I am cheap but find it costs little to print at 8 1/2 x 11.

Tom Axford · Jan 17, 2016

Kumsa said:
I'm familiar with the technical differences between matte and glossy/luster/semi-gloss. But, a couple of times, I've printed B/W matte and was disappointed.

Matte is good for fine midtone detail, surface smoothness; poor at high dynamic range work. So. . . what sort of image is a prime candidate for matte ?

I like to process some images to lower the contrast quite drastically and many of these print very well on matt paper.

For example:

Examples of images best suited for printing on matte ?

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