If You Spend $15 on Photography This Week, Spend It On This
Okay, I did something today that I haven’t done in years. I printed a bunch of 4×6’s. The ones you see right at the top of this post (from a recent family vacation to New Jersey). Full disclosure though… my post today has two purposes. First, it’s to help my friends at MPIX get the word out about a special they’re running today only which basically get’s you good quality 4×6 prints at 50% off (around 10 cents). But I want you to really think about this in another way, because my other purpose is to encourage you to get out there and print.
I’m As Guilty As the Next Person
I’m guilty of it too. Totally the pot calling the kettle black here, because I haven’t printed like this in years. In fact, I’d even go as far to say that I’ve often said printing is dying. But I’ve definitely been convinced otherwise lately. Not by anyone in the industry, but by my family. True story: we’ll often go to events (cub scouts, football practice, neighborhood parties) where some one (way more organized than me) is taking pictures. After the event, they go where ever, and print some 4×6’s and give a few out to all the people that were there. My kids totally jump on it. Seriously, they immediately grab thumb tacks and start putting the pictures up in their rooms. My wife grabs a few and puts them on the fridge, and then some get put away into our photo box or drawer (which I have to say we look through much more than we look through old hard drives). As much as I thought print was dying, this shows me it isn’t.
So Here’s Your Task For Today
Get your cell phone out. Why? Because it’s probably your best point-n-shoot camera you own, and I bet there’s a lot of great family moments on it. Download the last 100 photos you have on it. Don’t bring them into Photoshop or Lightroom or iPhoto, don’t try to edit and don’t critique the lack of quality in the photo – nobody cares – they just want memories to look at. Send ’em to MPIX to print today (you have to do it today because the sale ends at midnight). The deal is you get 50% off 4×6 prints (I used the .19 cent print option) which brings the typical print to around 10 cents (+ shipping). Seriously, if it’s 100 photos it’ll cost you $10 bucks. If it’s 200, it’ll cost you $20. Skip the pizza night this week, bring your lunch to work one day or skip whatever it is you spend $10 on without even thinking. Print the photos and give them away. I guarantee you that if you have a family or friends, it will be the best $10 you spend this week.
The special code to get 50% off your prints is 4X6SALE12 and here’s a link to their website (I chose the .19 cent prints). And if you’re a NAPP member don’t forget you get discounts each month on the NAPP Member website.
That’s it. Just do it. I know I said in the beginning that part of this post was helping out my friends over at MPIX spread the word, but I truly believe that by spending that $10-15, you’ll help yourself out too and be happy you did. Have a good one!
Hi Matt,
As photo pros, many don’t realize or appreciate that there are a lot of non-pros that love Lightroom, and working towards greater quality. For me though, it’s also about the print- I am a scrapbooker, and “traditional” (non digital) scrapbooking NEEDS prints 🙂 Thanks for reminding people that printing a photo for fun once in a while is good for the soul 🙂
Great idea. I usually do 4×6 as draft copies (I cut 8.5×11 paper into 3 sections, so I have the same paper/profile to use). The last draft gets trimmed properly and thrown into the shoebox. The larger ones go into a rotating gallery on the wall (6 images, change one a week). However, I tend to discard them when their time is up.
Like you, we go thru the shoebox from time to time, but almost never go thru the digital archives.
I love looking at prints… yes, it takes a bit more work to ensure the printed medium pops the way it does on screen, but it’s a tangible artistic product that lasts (if properly stored) a lifetime–or more. I actually found some old darkroom work of mine last night, and boy did that take me back. Great reminder, Matt, that we have the option of printing and sharing — instead of simply posting. As for the sponsorship overlay, Matt kinda said it frankly and upfront, so I think readers understood there was a relationship with Mpix, and besides, the suggestion to print works with any provider.
I am so doing this! It has been a long time since I have printed as well. The suggestion about taking out the cell phone and print the last 100 photo. That is excellent!
Seconded!
I did this recently (though in Australia so not via MPIX, sorry) and it was awesome! It really does feel good to have the prints in your hands, it give you confidence that you photos ‘work’ as a printed medium, it helps spark new ideas, giving them away puts smiles on peoples faces plus it’s always exciting to get a package in the mail!
Oops, I should have read the previous comment before posting. To clarify I was ‘seconding’ the concept of “print stuff”.
Hi Matt,
I really love/appreciate/enjoy what you do. You offer to me, as a casual photographer, tons of great tricks and tips. I learned a lot thanks to you, here or on KelbyTraining.
But your credebility is lowering when you post this kind of articles that look more like advertisements than true and honest advices.
I really want to believe in you telling you want to help friends of yours. I’m sorry, but I can only see “sponsorship” through the lines.
Keep on the good work!
Clem
Sponsorship makes the world go around. At the end of the day Matt, Scott Kelby and others give out great (free) advice and tips on a daily basis. Maybe cut them some slack this time around.