question about MPIX... - DPChallenge Forums

07/14/2006 11:14:15 AM · #1

I recently did a portrait session w/ a client. Usually I print locally, and pay through the nose for it. I want to try MPIX. The portraits are all going to be BW, sepia, and a few tri/duotones. My question is...

Which paper is best? MPIX says their metallic paper is not recommended for portraits, but in the forums on their site people swear by the metallic paper for portraits. Also, can sepia or duo/tritone images be printed on the true black/white paper?

Please only offer advice if you have had experience with the products Im asking about. Thanks.

07/14/2006 12:32:43 PM · #2

bump

w24x192

Canon PowerShot S50

07/14/2006 12:35:55 PM · #3

I think that the true B&W paper is for true B&W - not sepias.

I don't have any portraits from them, but all of the shots I do have (two sepias included in the mix) look great with the metallic paper. It's ultra-glossy, and some of the colors take on an interesting sheen in the right light.

You know, they are pretty quick with shipping...maybe you can get a test-print, and see for yourself. It means spending some money on something you may not like, but at least you'll know from then on.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

07/14/2006 12:55:02 PM · #4

i will probably do a test print of everything I can think of at one point, but this client is on a ridiculous timeline due to travel plans. Shot on Thurs, wants to see proofs Sat AM. thanks for the info.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

07/14/2006 12:59:30 PM · #5

I LOVE the metalic paper, but you do have to be careful with portraits. Fair skinned people can look very washed out with it, but dark skinned people look amazing. Its definitely a different look, so you might want to test-print a few with both matte and metalic paper and decide what will work best for your shoot.

BTW - MPIX does excellent prints and they ship really realy fast.

rpwsrw

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

07/14/2006 01:00:23 PM · #6

great company. I would take their word and suggestions. Sucky that a client expects proofs that fast.

cfischl

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/14/2006 01:09:42 PM · #7

you can still print black and white on their regular paper. You don'[t have to pay extra for the true B&W. The mettalic paper is extremely glossy. While I really like it, it's definitely a matter of taste. You should definitely have a few test prints made.

Telehubbie

07/14/2006 01:12:52 PM · #8

With that short turn-around, I would only offer them online or small proofs on cd and let them choose from there. It's unrealistic for them to expect printed proofs less than two days from the shoot. -Just my two bits.

All things said, Mpix is awesome, and I've always been very pleased with them.

DefyTime

Canon EOS-7D

07/14/2006 01:16:43 PM · #9

The only thing I have found that sucks about Mpix is that you have to choose one paper style for your entire order...if you want different kinds you have to make a second order and may double shipping. They are a great place other than that.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

07/14/2006 01:45:16 PM · #10

I will print proofs at like ritz or something, but we are meeting on sat and my plan is to show the proofs and write on the back what size I needed printed. Once she chooses, I will have a little time to do final prints.

The woman I photographed was very tan. Metallic or not?

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

07/14/2006 01:46:33 PM · #11

Originally posted by Jmnuggy:

The woman I photographed was very tan. Metallic or not?

Metalic! Then charge her extra for it ;)

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

07/14/2006 02:26:05 PM · #12

Just don't go with their "'Canvas' on Stretcher Frame" option. It is NOT what you expect!!!

I've printed on 'canvas' before, and they have stretched the 'canvas' onto an internal frame that is then placed into custom made picture frame. That's essentially what I thought I was getting from mpix (without the external picture frame which I planned to have made locally).

I had ordered 3 pictures, two 16x20s and one 16x24 and when they arrived, boy was I shocked! They (mpix) had simply printed the pictures on 'canvas' textured paper and then GLUED ... I repeat GLUED!!! ... the picture onto a piece of 'canvas' that had been stretched onto a frame. I about came "unglued".

I wrote to them and asked ... what the heck? And they claimed this is the way they do 'canvas'-on-stretcher-frame. There was no time to reprint. These pictures were for a bride that needed the pictures framed and ready for display within a week.

Lesson learned. Mpix may be great for their metallic paper - but don't go for the 'canvas'-on-stretcher-frame.

07/14/2006 02:36:06 PM · #13

crap. they wanted some 'canvas' on the stretcher frame. I guess ill try to sell them off of it and talk about how great the metallic paper is.

If i can't do that, how disappointed will they be. do they look nice, just not what you expected or are the junk. What did the bride think of it?

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

07/14/2006 03:15:02 PM · #14

Originally posted by Jmnuggy:

The quality of the image itself was very good. No problem there.

And so far the bride doesn't know. I had the custom frames built and the pictures mounted in the frames before she ever saw the pictures. Without knowing what real 'canvas' looks like, and without taking the picture out of the frame, she may never know...

But it really would not have cost much more to do a real 'canvas' print locally and then have the frame shop do all of the mounting (both on the stretcher frame and in the picture frame). I figure, lesson learned.