Printing – Photogeek Blog

Getting Back to Printing.

Art, Digital Printing, Digital Storage, Enlargements

On Saturday afternoon, my wife and I ventured into the DC area to visit Blick Art Material. Though Blick was frequented often during our days in Seattle, New York City and New Jersey. Today marked our first visit to the DC branch since moving to the area in 2021. In finding a dependable place to print my enlargements for sale, display and archiving. I’ve found myself ordering and visiting the Arlington branch of District camera, quite frequently. Over time, I had forgotten the rush and the vast difference of looking at your work on a computer screen and holding a physical print in your hands, to experience the depth and dimensions often related to a healthy enlargement. The 11X14 Itoya portfolios and 50% frames I purchased will house, display and protect the prints I’ve recently purchased and will purchase in the future. As a photographer, I urge you to bring your favorite images to life by printing them and purchase the right materials to house, protect and honor your cherished moments. Both Blick Art Materials and District Camera come highly recommended for such.

The Joy of Printing

Art, Beauty, Comparison, Digital Printing, Enlargements, Industrial Photography, Landscape Photography

After a long day of MRIs and X-rays at Baltimore’s John Hopkins University, some lackluster service at a local restaurant, and worse, the unusual bumper to bumper traffic while returning to Virginia. I stopped at New Arlington’s District Camera to pick up several images I had sent in for printing. During the three or so years I’ve been in VA. I’ve depended almost entirely on the camera stores service for all my photography needs. The attention to customer service, detail and quality has been unrivaled since day one.

Upon arriving home, I more carefully, then usual, opened the envelope to view my prints. Thus returning me to the joy associated printing my images. The difference between seeing something on a computer screen and the absolute thrill of holding something in your hands. It’s magic. The colors, detail and depth in Black and white prints . It returns you to the lost beauty that photography always offered. So going forward, I urge you and myself to find a reliable lab, darkroom and/or printer to print your favorite images. I also suggest finding a place to display and share them with others.

Why We Print.

Digital Printing, Finding your Zen, Marketing, Promotional, Sailing

After picking up my 11X14 print from the camera store/lab we use in Arlington. My wife asked if I would frame it and where I wanted to hang it. I replied “I don’t plan on framing or hanging it.” Puzzled, she looked at me and asked, “Then why did you print it?” That is a good question. One that I gave numerous reasons for. One that I asked myself. Having grown up in the film camera age and developed every role we ever shot, countless and often terrible images ended up in photo albums or crowded boxes in bedroom closets. I look back and wonder. Was any of it worth the money spent or space occupied?

These days, I take thousands of pictures but rarely print any. But when I do, I’m rewarded as I see the differences or the details between the image I see on the computer and the print I can touch and avoid getting my fingerprints on. Today was one of those days when I immediately saw the vast difference in the quality of a quality printed image. It both inspires me and gives me hope that someday I’ll get my shit together and sell my work at a more consistent rate.

Bringing Lost Treasures back to Life.

Art, Beauty, Digital Printing, Dramatic Lighting, Enlargements, Finding your Zen, Natural Beauty

I’m finally getting images off the floor, out of the closet, and onto the white walls of our condo. Thoughts arise regarding what goes where and the themes they represent—taking a nod from childhood memories. Two impactful ones immediately come to mind. The coop my Mom raised me in as a child had two bathrooms. The smaller one, just off the kitchen, was always the one that doubled as a bathroom/art gallery. Small, yet functional. The small area was lit by one of those funky colored bulbs and rotating art that varied from nudes and movie posters the company she worked for produced. At the same time, my Father ushered in my love for boxing by installing a heavy bag in his garage and sharing his love for the sport with me. A passion and appreciation that has stuck with me since.

So, when needing one last print for my boxing-themed room. I dug deep into my Lightroom 4 images and found a long-lost gem that perfectly captured my envisioned mood and vibe. Taken ten or more years ago by an actress, model, and stuntwoman I worked with in my small, Hoboken studio. The session this image came from marks the beginning of my love, understanding, and practice of adding shadow, contrast, and mood to my studio lighting.

To your right, is one of the first print/enlargements I’ve made in more than five years and my first with District Cameras Arlington location. Having done business with them numerous times in the past month, I can only say the most positive things when recommending their service.

If These Walls Could…

Art, Uncategorized

I was planning to email my Mom with some pictures of the framed pictures we put up in the bathroom, but since she is now following the blog, I might as well post them here.

(These images were taken at a local Vietnamese restaurant / billiards hall. I refrained from using my flash so not to disturb the flow of the game while giving the players their respect and anonymity.)

If you’d like a clearer view of the pictures featured here. You can see them Here .

As a kid, art had a very prominent place in our home. Though we did not have much money to speak of. My Mother’s knack for decorating and her relationship with the art department at the company she worked as a secretary. provided for many opportunities to bring home art and advertisement poster prints. While my wife in completely foreign to the idea of art in the bathroom. It’s something I became used to seeing by the time I was just starting elementary school.

The Brooklyn Way

Statue of Liberty

My wife and I spend many of our weekends in Brooklyn. Whether it be exploring different neighborhoods, food or culture. Brooklyn seems to have it all. During our ill fated search for a condo we’d canvas the different areas going from one open house after another. Knowing my likes, dislikes and moods. She noted that Brooklyn was my “Switch”. No matter the circumstance, I always seem to enjoy my time there. On this particular day we did a lot of walking, stopped for mediterranean food, antique shopping and a Greek bakery. By the time we got to the river, the sun had just begun to soften. We walked a long distance in the high wind before grabbing a ferry back to the east side of the ferry. I shot these around 4:30 /5:00. My wife suggesting the set up for the first shot. The idea for the second was all mine. I got these printed at Duggal the next day. If we ever move. I’m going to find a place to hang them. Until then…

To Print or Not to Print

Digital Printing, Finding Solutions

Earlier today I received a somewhat shocking email from my photo lab. Along with asking me to update my profile and, perhaps remove some of the older folders that I won’t be making any reorders on. All seemingly routine reminders. The shocking came when they noted that I had not printed a thing in just under a year. “Wait? Are you kidding me?” I knew I hadn’t printed anything in a while and it was something that has been on the forefront of my mind. But a year? That was flat out nuts. I had some serious catching up to do.

Later in the day I went back to my computer and out of pure curiosity I took a look at my Aperture program. Aperture houses all my photography neatly in folders, all marked with dates and titles. I scrolled down to 2011 which hosted about 18,000 files. “Damn, some of these are pretty damn good.” “Certainly good enough to print.” Right?

The task, a daunting one at that, will be approached slowly. I’m hoping to be in a new home by Sping/Summer and I don’t want to be adding to the already endless amount of pictures, albums and frames I already have. But considering how hard drives crash and files get wiped out I should be careful to preserve the the best of the best.