Various techniques are used to produce images from film, plates, and digital files. The photo printing process steps depend on the original medium and reproduction method. Image capture is the first step, followed by development or processing on a computer. Print quality varies depending on the printer used and the purpose of the prints. Commercial printing may be necessary for high-quality or large-scale production.
A number of techniques are used to produce images from film, plates, and digital files. The steps in the photo printing process can depend on the original medium and the method used to reproduce the image, whether someone is making a single fine art print or a brochure with photographs for distribution. Each step may contain potential pitfalls that could degrade the quality of the finished image and must be performed with care.
Image capture is the first step in the photo printing process. Photographers can expose sensitized film or plates, or they can use a digital camera. It is also possible to scan an existing photograph and create a digital file which can be used for reproductions. A historian, for example, may want to reproduce historical images on paper or book and may not have access to the original film or plates used to make them.
The medium used to capture the image can dictate the next step in the process. Films and plates, for example, need to be developed before they can go through a photographic printing process. This process can be automated or manual and involves exposing specially treated paper to light passing through the film or plate. The paper can be sent through a series of chemical baths to develop, stop and fix a finished image. The developed film can also be used to directly produce plates for a printing press.
Digital files can be processed on a computer. Processing may include lighting adjustments, removal of distracting objects, and other techniques to create a finished image. This image can be printed on a standard inkjet printer or can be submitted for commercial printing. Using the digital file data, a print technician creates plates or rolls with the data and can produce high-quality copies of the image. There are several photo printing process methods available for commercial printers.
Print quality for desktop and office printers can be high enough to produce excellent copies of digital files. Photographers can also use the print stations at camera shops and similar establishments. These stations use a high quality printer with good resolution to produce clean copies from digital files selected by the photographer. For tasks such as making prints to sell and creating a series of images for a physical photo album, the print quality may be sufficient. If the photos need to be of a higher quality or are produced on a large scale, such as headshots sent by celebrities to their fans, a commercial photo printing process may be a better option.
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