Aluminum prints from Gallery Direct

04/01/2013 08:10:04 PM · #1

I have a groupon for one of these at about $40 - thought it might be worth a try. Have any of you tried Gallery Direct, specifically an aluminum print? What kind of photograph works best with aluminum? The two I have in mind are these:

(or something similar)

Or would a B&W be more appropriate?

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/01/2013 08:17:24 PM · #2

Try to find an image which takes advantage of the metallic nature of the substrate -- this image looks amazing printed on Kodak's metallic paper, and is the one I'd choose to experiment with if I was going to make an actual metal print.

04/01/2013 08:26:55 PM · #3

Hmmm... maybe something like this?

I definitely need to print something from the Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof one of these days!

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/01/2013 08:35:50 PM · #4

That might work, but remember that the white part will be silvery ... in my image the lightest part is a piece of metal, in your image it's the sky, and you need to take that into account in visualizing how it will look.

Bright colors can also work -- I've also printed this on the metallic paper to good effect ...

insteps

Ricoh GR III

Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR

04/01/2013 08:40:54 PM · #5

This sounds interesting and might be nice for a b&w image. I've never seen something printed with this technology. I've been thinking about printing a few images and not sure how I want to approach it. How something displays on a monitor vs printed can be tricky.

If you go with this, let me know how it works out. I'd also be interested in the levels, contrast, etc. of your image. Do you make an image lighter before printing? Some printers will adjust this as needed but not sure you would want them messing around with your shot.

Good luck no matter what you choose.

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

04/01/2013 09:07:49 PM · #6

Tell you what, I'll do the Groupon and then decide what I want printed. Hopefully you guys will throw in some suggestions!

Ann

Olympus OM-D E-M1

04/01/2013 09:30:12 PM · #7

If you want a cheaper way to get an idea of how something will look on aluminum, have it printed on metallic paper. It won't be exactly the same, but you'll get the idea...

Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR

04/01/2013 09:41:24 PM · #8

That's a good idea, Ann! I may have to do test runs with a couple of different options first.

Here's another possibility:

insteps

Ricoh GR III

04/01/2013 09:59:02 PM · #9

You have tons of great stuff. How about this one.

Form your text it would be lovely hanging in your home.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/01/2013 10:00:45 PM · #10

You could make a "sampler" collage and try out several (maybe 3-6 depending on the size you're ordering) types of images as a test ...

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

04/01/2013 10:02:56 PM · #11

Shades of gray is awesome.

I've printed a few things in aluminum, and what has always struck me is the awesome clarity of the details, much more clean and beautiful than canvas, and I think it's superior to even good paper.

Black and white looks fantastic on brushed aluminum, color is best on white coated aluminum.

I have done an abstract print in color on brushed, and it is pretty great - but .. yes there's a but ... I think the print looked even better on white coated aluminium.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/01/2013 10:10:11 PM · #12

What exactly does the aluminum do (besides adding rigidity) if you are printing on a white coating?