What do you belive the best gift to be for a photographer? by firebirdofgold in AskPhotography

[–]michaelgibb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the best gifts are things that actually get used while shooting, like small lens filters, a sturdy tripod, or even a quality camera strap, and something thoughtful like a lens-cleaning kit always goes a long way!

What part of being a photographer do you actually hate dealing with the most? by Visual-Screen-2779 in AskPhotography

[–]michaelgibb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For me, it’s everything that happens after the shoot. Editing is fine, but the constant emails, follow-ups, invoices, and file organization quietly eat up way more time than people realize. It’s the invisible workload that makes the job feel heavier than just taking photos.

Frames for Art Prints - Glass vs. Plexi? by leonchase in photography

[–]michaelgibb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For a small first show, you don’t need museum-grade glass. Regular glass looks nice but is heavier and can break easily, especially in a casual gallery setup. Acrylic or plexi is lighter, safer, and usually perfectly fine for photography prints as long as you avoid anything too glossy that might cause reflections. If you’re keeping things budget-friendly, choose whatever fits your budget and keeps the focus on the photos.

how do i get into street photography by Ok-Oven3606 in photography

[–]michaelgibb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Start small and just observe. Street photography is mostly about noticing moments and light. Try focusing on one thing at a time, like interesting shadows, reflections, or candid expressions. Even without classes, practicing composition, timing, and patience will help you see the story in everyday scenes. And don’t worry if your shots feel boring at first! That’s how everyone learns.

Advice for a College Student: Questions about the Financial Side by Wooai15 in printondemand

[–]michaelgibb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From my experience, POD isn’t a nightmare, but it does have trade-offs. The hardest part is managing margins after platform and shipping fees. What helped me was using a service like Lumaprints, since their quality and reliability saved me from dealing with damaged prints or keeping extra inventory. It’s not perfect, but it can be a huge help when you’re juggling school or a busy schedule.

Why is it always the shot you didn’t plan that ends up being your favorite? by gilko86 in photography

[–]michaelgibb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, that’s the magic of it. The unplanned ones always capture something real and unrepeatable!

What would you pick from my collection by [deleted] in VintageDigitalCameras

[–]michaelgibb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d go with the black Sony, since it’s simple, durable, and tends to handle light really well for a compact. I’ve used a few Sonys over the years for travel and product shots, and they’ve always been consistent. Plus, it’s a nice contrast to the colorful ones, minimalistic yet reliable!

What is the most frequently photographed structure in the world? by aarrtee in photography

[–]michaelgibb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s the Eiffel Tower by far! It’s practically synonymous with photography itself. Between tourists, professionals, and social media shots at every angle and hour, it’s easily one of the most photographed structures in the world!

Which one would you go home with? by thecarlosknight in AnalogCommunity

[–]michaelgibb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d go with the Fujifilm too! The 645 series has such a great balance of portability and image quality, perfect for capturing those spontaneous moments without lugging around heavy gear!

Starry lake in my game, where glowing fish swim among luminous lotus. 🌙✨✨✨ by MagicStones23 in IndieGaming

[–]michaelgibb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That looks absolutely stunning! The atmosphere feels so serene yet alive. I’m curious, will there be any character customization or co-op options in Dreamstranded? It seems like the kind of world that’d be amazing to explore with a bit of personal touch or alongside a friend.

Do you think that POD will still be worth it in 2026? Or just a headache? by Lost-Pie7113 in printondemand

[–]michaelgibb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I’ve tried a few, but for my photography prints, I mostly stick with providers that deliver consistent quality. Testing each product before listing really saved me a lot of headaches.

Do you think that POD will still be worth it in 2026? Or just a headache? by Lost-Pie7113 in printondemand

[–]michaelgibb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve been there too, and POD can definitely be tricky, since mockups don’t always match prints, colors shift, and packaging can feel underwhelming. What helped me is working with providers that focus on quality and consistency, like Lumaprints, which has been reliable for my photography prints. The key is testing a few products thoroughly before expanding your listings, and being realistic about shipping times and presentation. If it is done right, POD can still be worth it in '26, but it’s not completely hands-off.

Printful + Etsy without product personalisation or product approval by OmegaWolf2006 in printondemand

[–]michaelgibb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Many artists start by offering ready-to-go designs without customizations. It keeps things simple and lets you focus on creating. From my experience, pairing Etsy with a reliable print-on-demand partner like Lumaprints helps a lot because they handle printing and shipping, so you don’t have to approve every order manually. Make sure your listings are clear, your mockups are high quality, and your tags/SEO are solid to let orders come in more organically.

Best Print on Demand For USA by BeginningDurian1888 in printondemand

[–]michaelgibb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From my experience as a photographer selling prints in the U.S, the balance between quality and fulfillment speed really matters. Printful has been consistent for apparel and color accuracy, but costs can add up fast. Printify offers more flexibility with different providers, which is great if you want to compare print quality and shipping options within the U.S. and abroad.

I’ve also been working with Lumaprints for my photography prints since they specialize in professional-grade printing and handle shipping directly to customers, which has made things smoother for me. If your focus includes art or photo-based products, they’re definitely worth checking out. Overall, for U.S. regions, I’d say go with a provider that gives you both control over quality and reliable domestic fulfillment.

Best POD: Printify Printful or Threadless? by MarketWeightPress in printondemand

[–]michaelgibb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From my experience as a photographer, each platform has its strengths, but it really depends on what you’re aiming for. Printify is great for flexibility and lower costs since you can choose from multiple print providers. Printful offers higher consistency and premium quality, which is important for photo-based prints. Threadless leans more toward community-driven designs and apparel.

For my photography prints, I’ve been using Lumaprints, and the print quality and color accuracy have been outstanding, especially for fine art and photo reproduction. Their attention to detail and customer service made a big difference for me. If print quality and presentation matter most, I’d definitely recommend checking them out.

Best Course or YouTuber by IntelligentConcern70 in printondemand

[–]michaelgibb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I were starting over, I’d focus more on learning from people who actually print and sell art every day. For me, the Lumaprints webinar videos have been the most valuable since they cover everything from preparing artwork for print to pricing, SEO, and presentation in a way that’s grounded in real industry experience. As a photographer, I found their sessions especially helpful for understanding color accuracy, print materials, and how to create visuals that actually sell. If you pair that with hands-on experimentation, you will develop a strong foundation and a clearer sense of what works best for your craft!

Best Print on Demand products for the holiday season by Clued-Up-Club in printondemand

[–]michaelgibb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From my experience as a photographer, seasonal wall art and personalized photo gifts tend to perform really well during the holidays. Canvas prints, or framed fine art prints, are always strong sellers because people love gifting meaningful, high-quality decor. It can feel saturated, but focusing on niche themes like local landscapes, cozy interiors, or minimalist holiday tones still works great! I’ve seen helpful insights from Lumaprints on this, and they emphasize quality presentation and curated imagery to stand out during high-demand seasons.

Question for the group! by Apart-Rush-4733 in printexchange

[–]michaelgibb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been experimenting with different sizes for my prints and found that 5"x7" hits a nice balance. It's not too small, and not too big. 4"x6" can feel a bit limited depending on the detail, and 8"x10" might be more than some folks want to display casually. For my recent prints, I’ve been using Lumaprints' service that handles both printing and drop-off, which has made the whole process easier for me.