Is a Metal Print Worth the Extra Cost
It depends on what you want from the piece, but for this photograph I think metal is worth it if the wall is right. It is the most durable of the three materials, it has high UV protection, and it shows off the color better than anything else I offer. It is also usually the most expensive, so it helps to know what you are paying for.
Spring flowers line the California hillside overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. From here, I snap this stunning photograph of the Golden Gate Bridge, perfect for any wall in a home or a office.
Additional Information:
Please allow 5-10 days for printing and shipping.
I have the ability to print custom sizes and material (like wood, gatorboard, etc.). If this interests you, please reach out to dj@dalton-johnson.com for a free quote with the size and material you desire.
Start with what you get. Metal is stunning. The yellow wildflowers, the blue sky, and the red of the bridge come through with real punch, and the image has a presence on the wall that paper and canvas do not quite match. It is also built to last. If you are hanging a piece somewhere it will be seen every day for years, that matters.
The UV protection is a real advantage. Sunlight is what slowly wears down color, and metal has strong protection against it. That is a big difference from canvas, which fades in direct sun. If your wall gets a lot of light, metal is the safest choice for keeping the colors bright.
Now the tradeoffs. The first is price. Metal is usually the most expensive option, and the gap grows with size. The second is glare. Metal has a lot of it. If light bounces off the surface, it can shine into your eyes. A dining room table across from a bright window is the classic mistake, and it is worth thinking through before you order.
How does it compare with paper? Paper with a frame is usually the cheapest option. Paper needs a frame, since without one it can look unfinished, but with a good frame it looks great and costs less than metal. If your budget is tight, paper is the smart choice, and I choose the paper for every order myself.
How does it compare with canvas? Canvas usually sits in the middle on price, though on larger sizes it can cost more, partly because it has to be built and shipped. It absorbs light, so it has almost no glare, but it can look duller with a photograph this colorful, and it fades in direct sun.
So when is metal worth it? I would say when durability matters, when you want the colors to look their best, and when you have a wall with soft, steady light and no harsh reflections. It also makes sense for a piece you do not want to replace.
When does another material make more sense? If money is the main concern, go with paper and a frame. If your room is bright and reflective all day, paper or a matte look can be easier to live with.
I live in South Lake Tahoe, and my own walls hold Lake Tahoe photographs and hand painted local art rather than this print. So I am not telling you what I hung in my house. I am telling you what I would pick for this image if I had a wall for it, and that is metal or paper.
Think about how long you plan to keep it. If this is a piece you will hang once and leave for years, the extra cost is spread over a long time and starts to look reasonable. If you like to redecorate often, a framed paper print is easier to swap and easier on the budget. Neither answer is wrong. It is simply worth being honest about how you live with art before you decide how much to spend on it.
The print comes in seven sizes and ships in about 5 to 10 days.
Go check out all the prints by Dalton Johnson.
About the Author
Dalton Johnson is a photographer, writer, and filmmaker who tells stories about real people pushing themselves in the outdoors, from the High Sierra to the far reaches of every continent. He has shot and written for brands, tourism boards, and editorial outlets, including Nike, Patagonia, Four Seasons, PBS, GoPro, and Ford, with more than 160 campaigns and hundreds of published articles to his name. Off assignment, he bikepacks, trail runs, swims open water, chases big waves, and rock climbs.
