Choosing a fine art photograph is about more than finding an image that connects with you. The medium on which that photograph is presented can dramatically influence how the finished artwork looks and feels in your home, office or collection.

Two of the most popular choices are metal prints and canvas prints. Both have their place in the art world, but they produce distinctly different results.

At Artistic Creationz Photography, our wildlife and landscape photography is created around detail, light, color and the atmosphere of the moment. For much of our work, we ultimately chose metal because of the way it preserves those qualities in the finished artwork.

But why?

What Is a Metal Print?

A metal print presents a photographic image on a rigid aluminum surface. The result is a clean, contemporary presentation that can produce exceptional sharpness, depth and color.

Unlike traditional framed photographs, metal prints can be displayed without glass covering the image. That allows viewers to experience the photograph without another surface between themselves and the artwork.

For wildlife photography, that can mean seeing individual feathers, fur and tiny details in an animal's eyes.

For landscape photography, it can mean preserving subtle textures in rocks, trees and water while allowing dramatic skies and rich colors to remain an important part of the image.

What Is a Canvas Print?

Canvas provides a much different presentation.

The image is reproduced on textured material and typically stretched around a wooden frame. That texture gives canvas a softer, more traditional appearance that can work beautifully with certain photographs and decorating styles.

However, the texture that gives canvas its character can also change how extremely fine photographic detail appears.

That isn't necessarily a disadvantage. It's simply a different aesthetic.

A painterly landscape or photograph intended to have a softer appearance may work extremely well on canvas. An image dependent upon extremely fine detail may benefit from a smoother presentation.

Color and Contrast

One of the first differences collectors may notice between metal and canvas is the way color appears.

Metal prints can produce strong contrast, rich blacks and vibrant colors. That's particularly effective for photographs featuring dramatic light, colorful sunsets, wildlife plumage or reflections.

Canvas generally creates a somewhat softer presentation.

Neither approach is universally better. The right choice depends upon the photograph and the look you want in the room.

Fine Detail

Detail is particularly important to us.

Wildlife photography frequently depends upon details that may have lasted only a fraction of a second: the texture of feathers, snow clinging to fur, the expression in an animal's eyes or the precise position of a bird's wings in flight.

Landscape photography presents a different challenge. We may want viewers to see texture from the foreground all the way into the distance.

Because metal has a smooth surface, it can be an excellent choice when preserving those details is an important part of the finished artwork.

A Clean, Contemporary Presentation

Another reason we gravitated toward metal is presentation.

A metal print can appear to float away from the wall when viewed from the side. Without a traditional frame surrounding the photograph, the image itself becomes the focus.

That minimalist appearance works particularly well with large statement pieces.

It can complement contemporary interiors while still working surprisingly well in more traditional spaces where the photograph provides contrast to the surrounding décor.

Durability and Care

Fine art isn't something we expect collectors to enjoy for a few months. It's intended to become part of their environment.

Metal prints are rigid and relatively easy to maintain. They don't require glass, and their surface can generally be cared for more easily than delicate traditional photographic presentations.

Canvas can also provide years of enjoyment when properly produced and cared for, although its textured surface and stretched construction require somewhat different handling.

Whichever medium you choose, placement and proper care remain important to the longevity of any artwork.

Why We Chose Metal for Artistic Creationz

When Neal Nachman and Liz Stokes photograph wildlife and landscapes, considerable attention goes into the smallest elements of the image — composition, light, timing and detail.

We wanted the finished artwork to retain as much of that experience as possible.

That's what ultimately drew us toward metal.

When you stand in front of one of our larger pieces, we want you to discover details you might not have noticed from across the room. We want you to move closer, look into the photograph and feel some of what we experienced when the image was created.

The print isn't simply the final step.

The presentation is part of the artwork.

Metal or Canvas: Which Should You Choose?

Ultimately, there isn't one medium that's right for every photograph or every collector.

Canvas can be an excellent choice when you want texture, softness and a more traditional presentation.

Metal can be an outstanding choice when you value crisp detail, strong color, dimensionality and a clean contemporary appearance.

The most important consideration is how the artwork makes you feel when you see it in person.

That's one reason we enjoy exhibiting at fine art shows. A computer or phone screen simply can't reproduce the experience of standing several feet from a large photographic print, moving closer and discovering the details within it.

Experience Fine Art Photography in Person

If you're considering fine art photography for your home or collection, seeing the finished artwork can make a tremendous difference. A computer or phone screen simply can't reproduce the scale, detail, color and finish of a completed piece.

Explore our Fine Art Photography Galleries to discover wildlife and landscape artwork available for your space. You can also experience our photography in person at one of our Upcoming Art Shows & Events, or discover a different approach to displaying photography through our Illuminated Fine Art collection.