Lighting glossy metal prints

[erichK]

There is a relatively new system for printing photographs on aluminum that produces allows for very vivid, very high-dynamic range, wide colour space prints. Some examples are some of the best work of Hawaii photographer Ethan Tweedie and Utah and Hawaii photographer ("Volcano Man") Brad Lewis. The night starry sky photographs are especially spectacular, but also very difficult to light because the very highly reflective surface.

Prefer LED lighting for obvious reasons but wonder whether polarizing and/or diffuser filters would help, and also about good sources for these.

(This is likely a conundrum that will confront many framers, sooner or latter, as this printing technology, which originated in Spain, is now also being used in the USA.)

erichK

 

[Rick Granick]

An artist/photographer friend of mine has used this product a number of times. So far they have been displayed unframed in gallery shows with track lighting. (Not sure what kind of lamps, but probably halogen). This has worked well since track lighting is usually located so that its reflections bounce close to the floor, or at least well below eye-level for the typical viewer.

Our resident lighting expert here is Rob Markoff. Perhaps he'll be along shortly with more useful information. I would be extremely surprised if he hasn't had experience with the medium you are describing.
Rick

 

[Jeff Rodier]

They were quite popular among the photographers here a few years ago and shown at many of the galleries. Quite a variety of lighting used all track heads. Most of it was shown with stand off display (strainer frame smaller than the panel) and very little sold. Once they started putting them in frames they sold but not for enough money to justify the printing cost plus framing. I only know of one photographer who still has some for sale and he has never sold one but they remain unframed.

 

[erichK]

They were quite popular among the photographers here a few years ago and shown at many of the galleries. Quite a variety of lighting used all track heads. Most of it was shown with stand off display (strainer frame smaller than the panel) and very little sold. Once they started putting them in frames they sold but not for enough money to justify the printing cost plus framing. I only know of one photographer who still has some for sale and he has never sold one but they remain unframed.

Well they certainly seem to sell well in Hawaii, framed with - probably mounted on a backing thin rectangular box would be more descriptive. (Is that what is meant by the term "stainer frame"?) The Volcano Art Centre and a couple of expensive galleries there had quite a few on display. I never saw one framed, but I suppose that framing it or using a shadow box would be an option.