What is one really positive thing about having photographs printed? Turning favourite photographs into memories that can be shared (physically) and held onto for years and decades to come.
If you have spent any amount of time dropping in to this little corner of the Web, you’ll already know how passionate I am about getting photos printed. I make no apologies for bringing it up so often.
Last week I took advantage of a great 50% off sale at Parabo Press and submitted a few more photos for printing. As always, I’m so excited to receive them. With these ones, because they’re being printed on heavy paper and completely blank on the reverse, I plan to use them as thank you cards and gift enclosures.
Because I am already a customer with Parabo, I am able to share with you $10 off your first order with them, should you wish to do so. If you check them out, use this code: BSPKIQ when you checkout and they will apply the $10 off your order (doesn’t apply to shipping).
While I’m on the subject of photographs as gifts, that zine I made turned out really nice — it was a gift for my son and granddaughters. I took all the photographs from their short visit last year and made them into a zine. Creating something so special and memorable for family in itself warms the cockles. What a great feeling to get a text from one of my granddaughters telling me how much she loved it. I already had a feeling of excitement and satisfaction simply putting the zine together and sending it off, but to know how much those photographs mean to them is priceless.
“One day, a [printed] picture might be all you have left to tell your story and keep the legacy going.”
Lea Ciceraro
It doesn’t matter what a person’s reason is for taking photographs, when we click the shutter, that is only half of the act of photography. To complete the act, photographs need to be printed. A potter wouldn’t prepare clay and then let it sit on the wheel to dry out. An artist wouldn’t take all their paints out only to make a few strokes and then abandon it. A cook wouldn’t chop and prepare food for a meal and then leave it sit on the counter forever.
There is even more satisfaction in seeing and holding a real print in our hands of a photograph we’ve created, rather than just letting it sit on our phones or sharing it on social media, where it is barely looked at and never seen again. Holding a photograph or going through an album of photos (or photo book) is such a fulfilling experience. I still get so much enjoyment going through old family albums. And the beauty of those physical photos is that they remain to enjoy over and over, not to mention the flood of memories they rekindle. No wonder I love getting photos printed.
As I constantly say, it’s not a photograph until it’s printed.
TIP: If you shoot digital, which nearly everyone does these days, your photos look quite different in print compared to on screens. Looking at photos on a screen which is backlit, giving the impression of being nice and bright, but when you see those same photos in print, you’d be surprised how much darker they often appear. For that reason, if you use Lightroom or some other editing software, it may be a good idea to go over images you plan to print and be sure they aren’t too dark. Simply bump up the exposure a bit before printing.
If you enjoyed this why not share it with a friend or post about it on social media. Thank you for reading and sharing your time with me. — Diane
Will check out the company and that zine. I often lean towards creating grand photo books for special occasions, when something quick and simple is just as meaningful. Thanks for the reminder to print it out!
Yes, yes to printing!
so true what you’ve written. the zine looks extraordinary. thanks for sharing the site.
That zine looks like a great creation for the kids to cherish for many years ahead. I must admit that I miss having photo albums filled with photos. I think our ability to take thousands of photos restricts me from choosing which photos are best for a photo album. I recently had a photo from Bryce Canyon printed on a canvas. The trip was a few years ago, but it really helped brighten up a wall that has a lot of visibility from outside the house. I couldn’t agree more with your tip!