Metallic finish

[jus'learnin]

My sister says that her son's football team had photos finished with a metallic finish last year and she would like to know if I could do that to her daughters senior picture. I am curious if this is a process that involves the paper, or is it something to be done in photoshop. Any ideas? My sister is not one to go for a cheesy look, so the only thing I can imagine being done in photoshop would look pretty cheesy. I can't figure it out.

This is the photo, exept I need to post one in color.

[OsmosisStudios]

Many places can print onto "metallic" paper. Its pretty nice. Find a good photo printer in your area, or use MPix (i think they do it).

[Cuchulainn]

I love the metallic paper for some photos. Portraits not one of them.

I don't find it particularly pleasing for skin tones. I realize this is subjective and "to each their own" but I find it gives the flesh tones a slight metallic and unnatural look, which I just don't find flattering. I am not sure if you are a Star Trek fan (I am not much of one myself), but I tend to find it makes people look more like Lt. Commander Data than a human .

If you are looking for something a little different and classy have you considered silk?

Edit: Another thought looking at your photo in particular as a candidate for metallic paper. You have some very bright highlights around the hood and a little flaring on the right side. I would be afraid that these might come out an unnatural silvery/pearl color and really highlight these distracting from the subject.

What I would recommend if you really want to try it is a test on a 4X6 print as a proof. Go from there.

[hugy789]

Hope you find out what to do

I can't offer any suggestions but whatever you do i'll no it'll be good because that shot is amazing!!!!!!!

[dlroberts]

I've used MPix to print on metallic paper (20x30) -- they look great. However, it's not recommended for portraits for the reasons mentioned above. However, I have used metallic for a LARGE group -- brought out the different colors (of the clothing) beautifully, but the faces were small enough that they weren't affected.

[pepe]

[QUOTE=Cuchulainn;391557]I love the metallic paper for some photos. Portraits not one of them.

I don't find it particularly pleasing for skin tones. I realize this is subjective and "to each their own" but I find it gives the flesh tones a slight metallic and unnatural look, which I just don't find flattering. I am not sure if you are a Star Trek fan (I am not much of one myself), but I tend to find it makes people look more like Lt. Commander Data than a human .

If you are looking for something a little different and classy have you considered silk?



Is silk a Photoshop adjustment?

[prrs4me]

Totally agree with Cuchulainn and dlroberts.
Metallic is not suitable for portraits. I also printed a large group (37) on metallic and the colors really popped but it wasn't good for the faces.
I haven't used silk printing but I do like the lustre for portraits. Adorama does a very nice job.
All of the above are papers are used for printing and have nothing to do with Photoshop. Go to adoramapix.com and check out the different paper types and what they are best used for.
I think the picture of your niece would come out very harsh looking on a metallic paper.

[jus'learnin]

Thanks for all of the information, I told my sister and she is going to get a 4x6 both in color and in B&W. I did read something about metallic paper being used on B&W photos to increase the contrast. We'll see what they think. Thanks again.

[Cuchulainn]

No. Silk is a paper finish. Adorama has it for one. A number of other photo processing houses will offer it as well. Additionally, Ilford and othes sell it boxed if you do your printing at home.

Canvas, both mounted or rolled are another option. SmugMug offers these. I am sure you can also find the option at other houses.

http://www.smugmug.com/prints/catalog.mg

Originally Posted by pepe

[Is silk a Photoshop adjustment?

[Cuchulainn]

Adorama lists that metallic paper as being suitable for portraits, but that has not been my experience. I had to give it a try because I was intrigued. The colors in the clothing popped, but skin tones took on an odd gold/silver hue. I did find it worked better for dark skin tones than light. But even then the whites of the eyes an teeth were not quite right. I am not sure too many brides would thank you for it if you used it for a wedding shoot.

I do love the metallic paper for prints which have a lot of very rich, deeply saturated jewel tones in them though. For these kinds of prints it really shines (literally and figuratively)

Originally Posted by prrs4me

Go to adoramapix.com and check out the different paper types and what they are best used for.
I think the picture of your niece would come out very harsh looking on a metallic paper.