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Recommendation for a newbie

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:24 am
by oquintero
Firs of all, hi all. This in my first post. A short into, I am an aspiring bird photographer from Panama and wish to exhibit some of my pics soon.  Recently  I have been able to exhibit on local cafes some canvas and metal prints of my work (really to avoid printing on photo paper and framing) using a canvas print shop called cgproprints to make them... Ocasionally just to experiment I have made photo paper prints on a local printing shop, nothing big..just 8 x 10", I think they use a very big fuji printer to print. For now they look good to me and it is not expensive. But...it is worthy and better to jump and buy my own printer to print my pics? will be a real difference or it is better to print on a printing shop? If so, which good printer you recommend? I saw Epson 3800 on amazon but oh boy, they are somewhat expensive to me...there is something good and cheaper? Honestly, I love photography, camera, lenses, computers, but I don't know very much about printers and framing photo prints.  Some guide in this topic would be helpful!

Thanks in advance! 

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 3:00 pm
by DavidSutton
Hello Osvaldo.
Most photographers I know who do their own printing do so because they love the process of that type of image making. They love the experience of holding a fine print they have made themselves. But in reality few make it pay in the long term.
Once the printer has been purchased there is also the cost of paper, ink, replacement heads, replacement waste tanks, and the time needed to learn how to make the whole thing work. The learning curve can be steep!!
Here in New Zealand I usually have about US$1,200 of paper and ink at hand so that a print run is not interrupted.
If you want to be in control of the whole image making process, having your own printer is the way to go. But be aware that the initial purchase price is just the beginning.
Otherwise, forming a relationship with a local printer or printshop can be very rewarding. They will develop a good idea of what you want and you will know what their capabilities are. It will give you more time to be out with your camera or marketing your work. It will probably make your life a lot less stressful.
Hope that's some use.
David