About The Prints

Photographers have long sought a way to transfer exactly what they saw and captured on film to large prints suitable for “wall hanging.”  Until recently, traditional methods of optical light projected “blow ups” or enlargements made in the “wet” chemical darkroom produced prints that lacked the color, contrast and clarity observed in the original slide or transparency.  The bigger the enlargement, the more dull and flat the prints became. 

M. J. Baker Images is proud to offer all its limited edition fine art prints on Epson Professional Premium Luster paper made on Michael’s Epson Stylus Pro 9800 Printer.  This revolutionary, state-of-the-art process produces images of extraordinary color, contrast and clarity regardless of the final print size. 

The UltraChrome K3 archival pigment inks used in the process have the potential to hold the print’s outstanding color and contrast for decades of enjoyment.  Accelerated light fading tests conducted by Wilhelm Imaging Research predict a display life of over 70 years before any noticeable fading occurs.

The Process

Most of the images in this collection were captured on transparency (slide) film.  These transparencies are then scanned using a Heidelberg Tango drum scanner or Nikon Super Coolscan 9000 scanner.  To shoot film, Michael uses a Nikon F6 or Mamiya 7II medium format cameras. 

Some recent images in the collection are direct digital images taken with the Nikon D2X camera.  

Michael personally reviews and selects only the strongest images for inclusion in the gallery.  The color and contrast of each digital image is fine tuned by Michael in his “digital darkroom” using Adobe Photoshop.   The purpose is to create an accurate rendition of what Michael saw and experienced when the camera shutter opened.  Any fine tuning is always done with the strict rule of making the final printed image true to what was in front of the camera.

The resulting “Master” image is then re-sized for the final printed image, smart sharpened for clarity and assigned a color profile specifically developed for this Epson printer and paper combination.  This ensures that the resulting print matches the color observed on Michael’s color calibrated monitor.  (If you ever printed photos on your home computer and found the colors didn’t match what you saw on your monitor, you can appreciate why these precise calibrations and color management profiles are so critically important). 

The prints are then cold mounted on acid-free foam core board and double matted with acid free 100% cotton rag board..  You also have the option of ordering the “Print Only” which comes without mounting or matting.   

Each print is numbered, location identified and signed.

All prints in the gallery collection are offered in two limited editions:

• Prints 11 by 14 inches or smaller:              Limited Edition of 350 Fine Art Prints
• Prints larger than 11 by 14 inches:            Limited Edition of 350 Fine Art Prints

No other editions or “Artist’s Proofs” will be offered.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

No website image can begin to capture the exquisite colors and fine detail of these final prints.  We know buying art “unseen” over the internet can be risky, so we’ve taken away your risk.  We are so confident that you will be pleased with the quality of these printed images that, if for any reason you are not totally satisfied with the quality of the print, just return it undamaged within thirty days of receipt for a full refund.  Just call us to let us know what the problem is and we will arrange for shipping.  No risk!  No hassle!

Shipping

We ship all images FedEx 3 day express.  Images are usually shipped within 2 -3 weeks from receipt of your order.