What Kinds of Images Print Well Big & What's All this Kodak Endura Nonsense?

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What Kinds of Images Print Well Big & What's All this Kodak Endura Nonsense?

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Started 3 years ago by alphanikonrex
Latest reply from NikoDoby
Related Topics:
1. Anyone had experience with the Kodak Hero 9.1 printer?
2. Kodak 3D DSLR Coming In Jan 2010

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alphanikonrex

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I got a couple free 11x14" prints from Adorama in apology for the delays they experienced during the holiday season, and I've decided to print a couple of my "artsy" shots to frame and show-off or something ;^)

The thing is I don't really have any experience with printing like this, but I don't want to mess up. I don't even know what picture to choose! That's because I have no idea what kinds of images print well and are eye-catching and which ones just flop and fall off the wall ;^)

So I'm thinking about which photograph to choose and all, and looking at the website I'm seeing a lot of printing options.

Kodak Endura Glossy/Matte/Silk/Cotton/Polyester ;^) I mean, What the Duck!?

To sum up: I have no idea what I'm doing... 8^D

Posted 3 years ago #
PB PM

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Any picture can look good in print, but there are many factors, including the frame, frame colour, glass cover for the picture, etc.

Personally, I like to print matte, with a non-reflective coated glass covered frame.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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Thanks PB, what makes Matte special compared to...Polyester for example?

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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alphanikonrex said:
To sum up: I have no idea what I'm doing... 8^D

Really? You? Nooooo! :^)

Endura is just the name of the Kodak paper they print on. I prefer the non reflective stuff but I like printing to metallic paper too. The most important thing when printing your pictures is color space! Make sure that you know what you are doing when making your own color adjustments otherwise your printed colors wont look as bright and colorful as on your computer screen.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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I like silk too.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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NikoDoby said:
Endura is just the name of the Kodak paper they print on. I prefer the non reflective stuff but I like printing to metallic paper too. The most important thing when printing your pictures is color space! Make sure that you know what you are doing when making your own color adjustments otherwise your printed colors wont look as bright and colorful as on your computer screen.

OK, because under the Metallic they write "Unique, very rich, vibrant colors, distinctive metallic look that catches the eye." which is what I'm looking for. Well, the catching the eye part :^D But it's also the most expensive.

Oh yes. The colorspaces. Oh my oh my.

My screen is set to Adobe RGB, but I haven't actually calibrated it. You know, like for real.

They offer a link to download their printer profiles—should I do that? Will it really help me get the colors I want? Or should I just set it for them to do auto-correct and then hope for the best?

Posted 3 years ago #
poster

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NikoDoby said:
I like silk too.

Just two days ago I got one 11 by 14 in Silk. It's awesome. I personally prefer matte than glossy, but that's just me.

I opted out for them to adjust the color. Since my laptop screen is not calibrated I just trusted them. It came out great. then again the colours were already great out of the camera so I don't know.

If you are not sure, just trust them they will come out good.

I printed 16 by 20 but chose to see if my color corrections were good. Blah, it came out like poo.

I seriously need to calibrate my screen.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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OK, so I think I'll leave them up to color correction...just to be on the safe side. That's what I've done in the past, but of course I wasn't printing anything serious.

So a couple of you like silk. Hmmm... "Delicate linen-like texture that gives a vintage feel to your images. Especially suited for weddings and portraiture."

Does it really look vintage? Because that's not the look I'm looking for, and it seems like it's more for portraits or something. I'm thinking of the less-saturated colors, not the punchy ones I think I'll be looking for. But then again, it's on clearance...

Posted 3 years ago #
poster

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alphanikonrex said:
OK, so I think I'll leave them up to color correction...just to be on the safe side. That's what I've done in the past, but of course I wasn't printing anything serious.

So a couple of you like silk. Hmmm... "Delicate linen-like texture that gives a vintage feel to your images. Especially suited for weddings and portraiture."

Does it really look vintage? Because that's not the look I'm looking for, and it seems like it's more for portraits or something. I'm thinking of the less-saturated colors, not the punchy ones I think I'll be looking for. But then again, it's on clearance...

Nope it doesn't look "vintage".

It just has a texture like you would put a window's screen thingy to keep the flys out.
I don't know how to describe it better. It's good.
Maybe Niko can help you out.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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OK guys, so when I choose a paper does it matter what kind of photo I'm choosing to print on it? Does it really make that much difference?

Posted 3 years ago #
PB PM

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alphanikonrex said:
Thanks PB, what makes Matte special compared to...Polyester for example?

I've only ever printed matte or glossy, so I have no experience with polyester. Since most of my prints have glass covers, matte keep the picture from looking over saturated.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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poster said:
It just has a texture like you would put a window's screen thingy to keep the flys out.
I don't know how to describe it better. It's good.
Maybe Niko can help you out.

No, I think I know what you're talking about. If it's good, then I think I'll print on it then...

But what I don't understand is how do these all compare?

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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PB PM said:
I've only ever printed matte or glossy, so I have no experience with polyester. Since most of my prints have glass covers, matte keep the picture from looking over saturated.

I hope that's sarcasm there, because they don't offer no polyester ;^)

So matte's good to prevent over-saturation...OK...

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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Matte: "Soft, smooth, realistic flesh-tone reproduction, intense blacks, enhanced detail from highlights to shadows."

More for portraiture I'm guessing?

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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alphanikonrex said:
OK guys, so when I choose a paper does it matter what kind of photo I'm choosing to print on it? Does it really make that much difference?

Yes it does. Why don't you just send the one photo that you want and have them print it out on various papers on the smallest size possible like 4x6? Whichever you like then have that printed larger with the coupon.
I don't recommend you download their color profiles unless you know what your doing and have a calibrated system to work with.

Posted 3 years ago #
PB PM

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alphanikonrex said:
Matte: "Soft, smooth, realistic flesh-tone reproduction, intense blacks, enhanced detail from highlights to shadows."

More for portraiture I'm guessing?

Not always, none of my prints are portraits, they are either landscapes or birds.

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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NikoDoby said:
Yes it does. Why don't you just send the one photo that you want and have them print it out on various papers on the smallest size possible like 4x6? Whichever you like then have that printed larger with the coupon.
I don't recommend you download their color profiles unless you know what your doing and have a calibrated system to work with.

+1

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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NikoDoby said:
Yes it does. Why don't you just send the one photo that you want and have them print it out on various papers on the smallest size possible like 4x6? Whichever you like then have that printed larger with the coupon.

Oh my god, I haven't even chosen a photo yet! *Sigh*, this is going to take a while. I'm not too crazy about getting a bunch of 4x6s because that means spending more and waiting longer. Grrr.

PB PM said:
Not always, none of my prints are portraits, they are either landscapes or birds.

OK. Note to self: don't jump to conclusions.

Posted 3 years ago #
poster

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alphanikonrex said:
No, I think I know what you're talking about. If it's good, then I think I'll print on it then...

But what I don't understand is how do these all compare?

Matte doesn't have the "screen" type of texture. It looks different.

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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poster said:
Matte doesn't have the "screen" type of texture. It looks different.

"Different" as in...? :^)

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Dude alpha, just pick a dang picture and choose a paper! Why do you have to complicate and analyze it so much? You don't need use to pick which socks you're going to school with tomorrow too do you? :^)

Don't wear the black knee highs!

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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LOL, fine. Didn't I say I love to complicate things? :^D Anybody want to help me choose a picture? ;^)

Oh, and tomorrow's off—Martin Luther King Jr. Day. So we can leave the sock-choosing to Tuesday ;^)

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Fine on Tuesday don't wear your black knee high socks to gym class, please :^)

As for which picture why don't you spend MLK day creating a survey. We will help you that way. You can then analyze the results and present it to us in another glorious bar graph with a slick border and impressive title :^)

Posted 3 years ago #
alphanikonrex

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You want it? Well then here it comes... :^P

(You know I'm a geek and I can prepare a survey within a 1/2 hour. Just need to find some pictures...)

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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I think from now on you should only pose questions to us in the form of surveys with all results shown as slick bar graphs :^)

Posted 3 years ago #

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What Kinds of Images Print Well Big & What's All this Kodak Endura Nonsense?

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