Exhibiting Prints Outdoors - Meet Performance EXT Metal Prints

​Last week I shared a post about this year’s Photoshop World and the fun of a completely new personal project – a metal print hanging OUTSIDE our home. 
 
​The Concept: After a lifetime in this industry, our home is filled with photographs. Out of approximately thirty-five framed pieces of art, only one isn’t a photograph. While three of the prints on our walls our mine, the rest were all gifts over the years from friends in the industry. And, in storage, rotated into the house every year or two, there are at least another thirty.
 
It sounds sappy, but these prints are like my children. There’s a story behind each one, and I’m betting most of you understand my attachment. Each print comes from a point in my career and represents another great friendship. Friends not in the industry are amazed at the diversity of the work, even to the point of not believing a couple of canvas prints are photographs.
 
So, when hanging out with my good buddy Glen Clark in the Bay Photo Lab booth at Photoshop World, there was a giant metal print on display, which was beautiful.  And, the "wheels" started turning, was there a version of this product that could be hung outside? A few minutes more with Glen and I learned about Performance EXT metal prints!
 
The Process: Sheila and I wanted an image shot locally, and I wanted it to be captured on LUMIX. While I’ve always been passionate about the craft, since I started working with LUMIX cameras and the LUMIX Ambassador team five years ago, my love for imaging has never been stronger.
 
Living only a mile from the beach, I wanted a sunset. Lately with the storms and cloud cover every night we've had a non-stop stream of stunning light shows. I captured the image I wanted with an FZ1000 and Sheila, and I started measuring walls outside. We decided on a 30x60 inch print.
  
I set up the Bay Photo ROES software on my computer and from that point on it couldn’t have been easier. I have no experience in printing for outdoor viewing, so I trusted the Bay Photo team to make whatever exposure adjustments were necessary, as well as pick the best method for hanging the print.  
 
The Print Arrives: The hardest part of the process was unpacking the print! LOL In all honesty, I was delighted over how well packed it was. Even Fedex couldn’t mess this one up!

There’s a lot of personal pride from everyone I’ve ever worked with at Bay Photo. The addition of a “Packed by” card inside the box enhanced the feeling of knowing my order got the attention it deserved. (Thanks M. Wilson – you did a great job taking care of my new baby!)

Once unpacked, having already measured the wall and knowing exactly where it was being hung, the rest of the process took minutes. Two holes drilled into the wall with concrete screws and the extension of our home gallery was complete.

The Results: The print is beautiful, and I couldn’t be happier with the ease of the process. Plus, the team at Bay Photo did it right. There’s a frame on the back that lets the print float on the wall. Remember too, this is going to be outside all year long in Florida heat, sun and weather.  
 
There are two additional things I love about the print. First is my pride that it's one of my images we chose to have outside. Second, is what it represents, a lifetime in an industry I love dearly that's filled with some incredible friendships. This print is a fun testimonial to some great friendships at both Bay Photo and Panasonic. 
 
And one more thing – as a consumer, this is a unique product and application. We’ve all seen images outside, but most often they're commercial applications. But, I'm betting many of you have a back porch or patio that's screaming for something other than plants, and take it one step further - how about your clients? 

Who says your favorite photographs can’t be hung outside? 

Click to find out more about Bay Photo Lab's Performance EXT Metal Prints.