Good Photo for Pearl/Metallic Paper?

[zepp]

For those with first hand experience - what type of image makes a good candidate for printing on pearl/metallic paper? Does display location (lighting) come into play? I've read that people portrait type images aren't a top choice. Any truth to that? Opinion on how this one might turn out?



How about black and whites? As an example, how about the one in this thread?

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...d.php?t=101798


--Frank

[JohnT]

Metallic paper exaggerates saturation and gives a metallic/shiny/sparkly appearance to photos. I've done two of them and in most cases would not have a portrait printed on it.

[kenw]

I've also heard the tale that portraits (skin tones in particular) don't do well in metallic, but have seen examples of some that looked pretty darn good. contact photonewb for his experiences. His were glamour oriented and looked fabulous.

My experience (not w/portraits, tho) indicates that softer more natural colors (trees, skies, water) aren't good candidates for metallic in most cases.

A simple test is to get a decent gloss print: whatever gets accentuated on it will be a bit moreso on metallic. If glossy makes it look great, metallic will make it look greatER. If gloss doesn't make it pop, metallic is a waste of paper. I have a few prints that are darn near indistinguishable between metallic and gloss (iow, the metallic adds nothing), and these are almost always natural-color shots (again, not of people, but landscapes).

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by kenw

I've also head the tale that portraits (skin tones in particular) don't do well in metallic...

I wouldn't necessarily call it a "tale." The folks at Mpix do not recommend metallic for portraits. However, as in all things in photography, it all comes down to preference and taste.

[kenw]

Originally Posted by JohnT

I wouldn't necessarily call it a "tale." The folks at Mpix do not recommend metallic for portraits. However, as in all things in photography, it all comes down to preference and taste.

Most definitely, there are no absolutes.

While I recall seeing the same portrait 'metallic discouragement' in the past, MPix has apparently changed their recomendations with (per the papers tab) "Endura offers natural looking flesh tones...."
http://www.mpix.com/Papers.aspx

[L Stegall]

Zepp, I know Mpix doesn't recommend metallic for people, but on the flip side, Pounds Lab here in Dallas had some portrait samples that were gorgeous - beautiful red-haired model wearing an emerald green shirt. I still remember it from a trade show 2 years ago, so yes, the right image can sing in metallic. Personally, I think metallic looks great with high contast and deep colors - in particular with vivid blues, greens, pinks, reds. I also like b/w printed on metallic - although the whites tend to be gray rather than white. Still, the right image rocks in b/w. I printed a 20x30 color print from Cadillac Ranch in metallic - strong blue sky and neon graffitti and hung it in my husband's conference room. Everyone that walks in comments on it. Bottom line, give it a shot. It's just not that much to try it out and see.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by kenw

Most definitely, there are no absolutes.

While I recall seeing the same portrait 'metallic discouragement' in the past, MPix has apparently changed their recomendations with (per the papers tab) "Endura offers natural looking flesh tones...."
http://www.mpix.com/Papers.aspx

OK, that is a change from their previous recommendation. Thanks for pointing that out.

[eebronc]

I use it all the time for Baseball Photos and the parents love the look , black and white and sephia both look great in metalic

[Mindy H]

I LOVE< LOVE< LOVE it for portraits! I have prints done all of the time on metallic and I really haven't had anything printed that I didn't like on metallic. It really adds a depth and clarity to the print that goes unoticed in matte images. The image you posted would be perfect for metallic.

[zepp]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I decided to give it a try on a portrait and I'm very pleased with the finished product. Thanks again.

--Frank

[photonewb]

I absolutely love the metallic paper, and have printed quite a few portrait work for my physical portfolio on metallic paper and I have had outstanding results. Much more so IMO than some of the more traditional matte finishes I've had printed.

Frank if you're interested in seeing some, and the difference between matte and metallic (as I have a couple printed on both just for that purpose) let me know and I'd gladly bring my book to the Sugarland meetup the 2nd Wednesday of the month. I'm always more than willing to share my book.


edit: for the record I've done metallic with Adorama, MPIX, and ACI Labs. All were good IMO, I like the ACI stuff (but that might just be it was a better photo to start with).

edit 2: oops...guess it's too late to share, looks like prints have already been done and enjoyed lol