What is advantage of printing in home vs good labs?

Uncle Bill said:

It's way more fun to do it yourself. It also gets me away from the computer.

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Hear! Hear! Anything to get away from "Billy's Box" !!!

MP_Wayne said:

Hear! Hear! Anything to get away from "Billy's Box" !!!

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Sorry Uncle Bill... by Billy's box, I mean "Billy Gates" and his Microsnot "Billyware" that is a curse for well meaning people the world over. Just thought I would clarify...lest you think I was making some sort of derogatory comments about your box... (as I keep digging myself deeper in this hole)... sigh...

In my case, I think I enjoy the darkroom work as much, if not more, than making the negatives! I can't wait to try hand-printing colour.

- Justin

Personally, I think doing you own lab work makes you a better photographer. You understand the relationships between tones and contrast, the effect of exposure on the final image, and the "post-visualization" process helps you greatly with the "pre-visualization" of your images at the time of shooting.

As others rightly point out, once your darkroom is set up (and that's not expensive nowadays with all the used equipment that is out there!), it is vastly cheaper to do your own work than to pay a lab to do it.

But, most of all, I find the darkroom work to be just as much fun -- maybe even more fun! -- than the actual shooting. It is enormously rewarding to have that private, quiet time to yourself where you think of nothing but your images. For me, it's almost like meditation. And I have no doubt that a pro lab would never give me the quality of final prints that I make myself unless I spent a fortune with them.

So, it all comes down to artistic development, costs, quality, and the fun factor.

Evgeny said:

Hi,

What is advantage of printing in home vs good labs?

Thanks
Evgeny

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Advantages will be clear when there is a good understanding about how variable the end results can be.

Color has more limitations (color balance, paper type - RC/plastic, and dynamic range) than monochrome, and no real advantage will be realized beyond money saved depending on how much your time is worth. Color transparencies have further limitations unless projecting them is considered to be advantageous. Monochrome, on the other hand, is more of an art form with many more options (advantages) in terms of permanence, paper quality, print tone, dynamic (contrast) range, print surface texture, and the hand colored option.

With monochrome creativity has relatively few limits (infinitely variable within the bounds of the medium) if you control the entire process.

This is my personal opinion based on my experience - I'm only an expert on my own opinion. I've been developing and printing my own work for more than 30 years as a professional and advanced hobbyist, both color and monochrome, though I've lately abandoned the color process, it really wasn't much fun. Monochrome work is so rewarding, I could never give it up.

Regards,
Paul

In regards to black and white work; I gain complete control. Also cost savings when compared to having a local lab 'custom print' something for you.
I think it's fun too, working in a comfortable darkroom can be very relaxing.

I prefer my home over handing to a lab because I feel a sense of accomplishment in doing so. Creative control is a worthwhile benefit as well. Plus, it's pretty convenient and the lab technician (you) always does what you want him to do and on your schedule.

Dave Miller said:

At home you can print for results that please you, as opposed to relying on someone else's interpretation.

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ditto. It may be that many here are better than those that can be found in their local lab.