I'm wondering what they're qaulity is like? The family I shot yesterday was wondering if they can order from there, which they can. But I usually order from mpix. Is the smugmug quality as good as mpix?
I've never ordered lustre prints from mpix, so I can't directly compare the two. But I always order metallic prints from mpix and lustre prints from smugmug and am quite happy with both.
I've never ordered lustre prints from mpix, so I can't directly compare the two. But I always order metallic prints from mpix and lustre prints from smugmug and am quite happy with both.
David, what are metallic prints? I have seen them on lab price lists, but having no idea whatthey were have always steered clear of them.
I dunno... I think I'd call them "hyper glossy". It's a really glossy print with kind of a metallic shine to them. It works for some photos, but not all. It's worth it to have them print a few for you (different types of photos) just so you get a feel for what works and what doesn't.
Sara, when I first signed up with MPIX, they offered free samples of their different papers. If you don't see a link on their site, just give them a call.
A couple hints though:
1. While they are great for scenery / vivid images, you MAY not like them for close-up portraits. Since the inks slightly resemble 'spray-paint' metallic, they look a bit unnatural with skin tones. Having people IN the image is fine, I just wouldn't choose a close-up (except for Halloween, or even the pastels of Easter, or....) ;)
2. They are great with any brightly colored work, or even well-saturated. I've seen terrific landscape, architectural, neon, outdoor, indoor, water (pool, ocean, waterfall, etc.) Heck, just give anything a try! The prints are only a little higher in cost; I've even ordered regular & metallic prints of the shot below - amazing! It's now a 16x20, in a double matted 20x24 frame, and greets visitors at the top of our stairs...
Best of luck, and let us know how you like (or don't like!) them.
Billy and David, thanks for the advice - I shall definitely give metallic finish prints a go. Billy, I am in England, and unfortunately UK labs don't seem quite as customer friendly as those across the pond!
