Fine art pet photography prints

Why Fine Art Photo Papers?

Why fine art pet photography prints? A picture is worth a thousand words and a photographic memory is priceless, but what about the paper it’s printed on? In the photography world, the type of paper used to print your images can make a huge difference to the final product. While standard gloss and matte photo papers have, for a long time been the go-to papers in the industry, and for people printing their photos at home or through a “high street” printer, fine art photo papers are increasingly becoming popular for their unique qualities and aesthetic appeal.

Let’s dive headfirst into the world of fine art photo papers and explore why I think they are the perfect medium to show your pet photoshoot images at their absolute best.

What are Fine Art Photo Papers?

Fine art photo papers, also known as archival or museum grade papers, are designed to deliver high-quality, long-lasting prints. The papers are from manufacturers such as, Fujifilm, Hahnemühle, Fotospeed and Epson. They are typically made from 100% cotton or alpha-cellulose and are free from optical brightening agents that can compromise the longevity of the print. Fine art papers also come in a variety of weights, textures, and finishes, which means there is the perfect paper for any situation and creative vision. For my prints I have personally selected the print houses I work with, based on the selection of fine art papers, their print quality and the customer service provided. 

Types of Fine Art Papers

Cotton Rag or Fibre-Based Paper

These are high-quality papers often used for fine art prints and archival purposes. They are usually heavier and more textured than other types of paper and can bring a tactile, fine art feel to the images printed on them.

Baryta Paper

This is a high-quality type of paper that is traditionally used for black and white photography. It has a very smooth surface and can provide a wide range of tones. This makes it ideal for images with a lot of detail.

Textured Fine Art Paper

These types of papers have physical textures on their surfaces, like etching or watercolour paper. They are often used for fine art reproductions. Or any photography that is meant to have a more traditional, tactile feel.

Canvas

While not technically paper, canvas is a popular choice for fine art prints. Canvas prints can be stretched over a frame for a painterly effect that’s suitable for gallery display.

The Benefits of Fine Art Photo Papers

Enhanced Longevity

One of the primary advantages of fine art photo papers has to be their superior longevity. They are specifically designed to resist fading and discoloration, to ensure your prints remain vibrant and true to colour for decades. This longevity is crucial because it means that my clients have a long-lasting memory of a treasured moment. This is why they are called archival or museum grade papers! 

Richer Colour Reproduction and Detail

Fine art photo papers are well known for their ability to capture and reproduce colours with striking accuracy and depth, bringing a warmth to colour prints and increasing the tonal depth of black and white prints . They are able to display a much wider colour gamut compared to standard gloss or matte papers, this leads to more vibrant and true to life prints. The texture and finish of fine art papers also aid in enhancing the overall depth and detail of the image, they add a tactile dimension that helps to bring a photograph to life.

Variety of Textures and Finishes

Fine art photo papers offer a wide range of textures and finishes, including smooth, satin, gloss, matte, and an awesome selection of textured finishes, from subtle to quite enhanced. This variety means that I can apply different aesthetic effects to individual images to create a much more personalised and unique finished product. This can be to suit the particular image or to suit the preference of my clients.

Bonuses!

Adds Value to The Final Products

Fine art photo papers in my option elevate a photograph from a simple print to a work of art. This is something that is very important for me. I don’t want to supply my clients with “just a photograph”. I want to supply them with a print that they are proud to have displayed around their house. One that will bring them happiness when they look at it.

Added Emotional value

When looking at a printed photograph, the experience is totally different to looking at a digital image. Looking at a printed image the experience is a much more tactile and engaging one. This is where using the fine art photo papers enhance that experience. Fine art photo papers, especially those with a textured finish, add depth and give the print “life”. The matt finish is distraction free, enabling the viewer to enjoy the whole image right down to the finer details. Pet Pawtraits, with the textures of the fur are  just perfect for printing on fine art papers. The texture of the paper enhances even the smallest details. Almost giving them a life like appearance, as if you can actually reach in and stroke them. This for me is the icing on the cake. 

Fine Art Papers vs. Standard Gloss and Matte Papers

While standard gloss and matte photo papers are excellent for many applications. But they often fall short when it comes to longevity and colour reproduction.

Glossy papers can produce vibrant colours and sharp details, but they are also prone to fingerprints and glare.

Matte papers, on the other hand, are less reflective. But can sometimes appear dull and lack the depth of colour that other papers offer.

Fine art photo papers are designed to overcome these limitations. They offer both superior colour reproduction and detail without the drawbacks of gloss or matte papers. They also provide a broader range of textures and finishes, allowing for greater creative freedom and personalization.

So to sum up. Fine art photo papers do come at a higher cost than the standard gloss or matte papers. But the benefits they have over the standard photo papers in my opinion make them a worthy investment. They create high quality, long-lasting prints. This basically means that I know my clients are getting a high quality final product. One that reflects both the service I aim to provide and the level I hold myself to. This is why fine art pet photography prints are my go to product.

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