Paper, Metal, or Canvas for an Owl Print
When I released my Golden Gate Bridge print, I steered people toward paper or metal, because the colors were so vibrant that canvas could dull them down. Owl Eyes is a different story. The image is built from warm browns, a soft blur behind the owl, and a pair of bright yellow eyes, and I think all three materials look good on it. That makes the choice easier in one way and harder in another, so let me walk you through it.
Road tripping Highway 395, I took a side road to Twin Lakes. Along the way, birds. Lots and lots of birds, but nothing of note. However, on the way back, after the coldest swim of my life, an owl sat upon a fence post.
Pulling out my Tamron 150-500mm lens, I spent an hour locking eyes with this owl.
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 the photograph. The owl sits on a weathered post beside a farm field, and the light had faded after sunset, which turned the whole frame into a scale of browns. The image is in portrait orientation, with the eyes just above the center. It is quiet and earthy, and it has a Western feel that suits ranch houses, cabins, and barn-style spaces. The material you pick should support that mood, not fight it.
Paper is where most people start. It shows fine detail and natural color, and it is the least expensive way to hang this print, especially with a frame. The catch is that paper needs a frame. Without one, it can look unfinished, and with a simple wood or black frame it feels like a real piece of art. If you are hanging it in a room with soft, steady light, paper is a smart choice. I choose the paper myself, so there is nothing to decide there.
Metal is the most dramatic option. It is also the most durable, it resists UV light well, and it makes the details and the color pop. The owl's eyes are the sharpest part of the image, and metal tends to make fine detail and color stand out. The tradeoffs are cost and glare. Metal is usually the most expensive choice, and it can reflect a lot of light, so place it away from windows and bright lamps.
Canvas is the warm, textured option. It has little glare, so it works in a bright room, and it gives the print a softer, more rustic look that fits the earthy palette. Canvas usually sits in the middle on price, though larger sizes cost more because of the construction and shipping. One note is that canvas can fade if it sits in strong direct sun, so give it a wall with gentler light.
So which should you choose? If you want the lowest price, go with paper and a good frame. If you want the most striking, longest-lasting piece, and you have a wall without glare, go with metal. If you want warmth and texture with little reflection, go with canvas. For a cabin or a barn-style room, canvas or metal would be my starting point. For a den or an office, paper in a nice frame is hard to beat.
Size matters too. The print comes in 8x10, 8x12, 11x14, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30, and 24x36. Because the photograph is a vertical portrait, it works well on narrow walls, in hallways, and beside doorways, where a horizontal print would feel cramped. If you want a custom size or another material such as wood or gatorboard, you can ask for a free quote.
I made my first physical copy of this print recently, and I was pleased with how it came out. Whatever material you choose, you are getting a photograph made by a person, not generated by a computer. Prints start at $26.95 and take about 5 to 10 days to print and ship.
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.
