4 minute read

Five Great Reasons to Get Your Images Printed

Make more of your photos with a range of creative printing ideas

With so many options available for sharing photos online today, it’s no wonder that printing has fallen down the priority list for photographers. But if you only ever share images online, you’re really missing out. Experiencing a physical print is completely different to viewing an image digitally, and the connection they make with the viewer can be much stronger. After all, when you go to a gallery, or see images displayed in a home or office, they’re almost always printed.

Properly presented, printed images will hold an audience’s attention for much longer than a gallery on your website – or posts on your Instagram page. Unlike online, a print allows the viewer to look closer and enjoy greater detail in a way that doesn’t feel artificial. So, it’s the perfect way to make the most of your X Series camera’s high-resolution sensor. Almost every time you upload an image, you lose detail and clarity that was in the original file.

To get you printing and enjoying images to the full, here are five great reasons to do it, as well as tips on printing better.

Decorate your home

If you’re particularly proud of an image, or it brings back great memories, using it as personal decor is the most obvious reason to print. Whether that’s in a small frame or as a large wall hanging, surrounding yourself with art and reminders of friends and family brings warmth and interest to a home.

When selecting images like fine art portraits, landscapes or similar, it’s a good idea to print low-quality copies of what you’re considering. Hang them in place to see how they feel in situ over a period of days, or even weeks. Assess which images you’re drawn to the most, then make them permanent prints in high resolution. For the others, it doesn’t mean they’re bad images – it’s just that some subjects and styles are less effective as wall art than others.

Sell your work

We all like receiving compliments on our photography. But perhaps the greatest endorsement is someone buying a print from you. Of course, it’s just one of the many thrills and pleasures that photography can bring, but there’s no denying the way it legitimises and rewards your efforts.

It’s difficult to create much more than standard A4, 10x8in or A3 prints at home, but there are a range of sizes available on myFUJIFILM – plus, you’ll be printing at the highest professional quality on Fujifilm’s 100% Original Photographic Paper. Shopping on myFUJIFILM also allows you to turn your best photos into a range of products including calendars, canvases, greetings cards and postcards, as well as novelty items, like kitchenware and upholstery.

Make a gift

There’s nothing quite like a truly personalised gift, and your photography can be exactly that – but only if you print it out! If you’ve taken portraits of someone’s loved ones, pets, or favourite places, consider using those images to brighten their day. Obviously, think about the print format and how it will fit into your subject’s home. Most people love a simple print that they can easily frame to their own taste.

Transfer shots to your phone or hook up your X Series camera to a FUJIFILM INSTAX printer directly, and you’ll be able to give out your prints instantly. This is especially useful at events, or if you’re doing street or travel photography, as the offer of an physical print can make a real difference to interactions with wary subjects.

Print a photo book

Another fabulous method of using your images in printed form is by making a photo book. This format lets you collect photos in a thematic or storytelling fashion, which is why it’s long been a favourite of photojournalists and travel specialists. You can add descriptive text, too, but many photographers choose to let the images speak for themselves.

Available in all manner of sizes and formats, the most important things to think about are the images you’re going to include, and the order you put them in. Try using a consistent theme and aspect ratios if you can. For instance, a book of square format monochrome images will look more aesthetically pleasing and will naturally guide people through the story.

Hold an exhibition

There is absolutely nothing like creating a public exhibition of your work – it’s thrilling, absorbing, and may induce a little anxiety. But, ultimately, putting your photography into the public domain – so people can properly appreciate it – is a super way of showing off what you can do, sharing subjects you feel passionate about, and also learning about how images affect others.

Like printing a photo book, remember that the selection and interplay between images is hugely important. Therefore, follow the same ideas of consistency if you can. Choose images to exhibit carefully, picking a print size that’s suitable for the space, and even hanging them so they complement one another. One example is through colour and composition, or even the way the subjects are facing. Add your contact info and any pricing, and you could be selling, as well as showing.

Where to get printing

If you’ve been inspired to make more of your photos, then a great place to start is by logging on to myFUJIFILM. Create an account, upload some images and then check out the superb range of creative printing options you can enjoy. From regular prints, poster-size enlargements, collages and canvases, to photobooks and calendars, there’s plenty to choose from.