Why Glossy Photos Look Better

Nick Carver February 5, 2025
Video Thumbnail
Nick Carver Logo

Nick Carver

@nickcarverphoto

About

I love shooting film, especially if it's medium or large format, especially if it's in the desert.

Video Description

Contribution link: https://www.nickcarverphoto.com/glossyphotos Contributions of 5 bucks or more using the link above get access to a bonus 25-minute video tutorial all about soft proofing with ICC profiles for print. Also, I got some online courses on film photography stuff like light metering and large format: - Online Courses: https://www.nickcarverphoto.com/learn - Photography On Location: Extended Play: https://www.nickcarverphoto.com/ep - Prints: https://www.nickcarverphoto.com/prints REFERENCES: - https://www.askamathematician.com/2012/06/q-why-do-wet-stones-look-darker-more-colorful-and-polished/ - “Color and Light in Nature” by David K Lynch & William Livingston (pg. 100 in 2nd edition reprint) AFFILIATE LINKS (these links support this channel): - Canon Pro-1100 Printer: https://bhpho.to/4aJpLh3 - Canon Premium Matte Paper (8.5x11): https://bhpho.to/3WNFIx2 - Hahnemuhle Matte Baryta Paper (8.5x11): https://bhpho.to/4gtzoSl - Hahnemuhle Gloss Baryta Paper (8.5x11): https://bhpho.to/4aKE0SE - Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308 GSM (17” roll): https://bhpho.to/46P2nvs VIDEO DESCRIPTION You know that old saying “you can’t have your cake and eat it too”? Well apparently we’ve been saying it wrong. It’s supposed to be “you can’t eat your cake and have it too”, which makes more sense but sounds weird. However you say it, glossy vs matte photos falls squarely in that whole not being able to eat/have my cake at the same time deal. I love deep, rich shadows in my prints...especially on the dusk stuff. I also hate reflections on my prints…especially on the dusk stuff. That’s because print reflections are even more crippling in photos with a lot of dark tones for the same reason you can see your own reflection easily in a clean black car but not so well in a clean white car. They show up more on the dark prints. So a hatred for reflections but a love for deep rich shadows. Welp! Turns out those things are mutually exclusive. “But why, Nick?? Why can’t I have both?” Well, friend, you’ll just have to watch the video to find out won’tcha? Thanks for watching. Website: https://www.nickcarverphoto.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/nickcarver *This video contains no paid endorsements of any kind.

Essential Camera Gear Upgrades

AI-recommended products based on this video

Loading...
Glad Cherry Blossom colour and scent Garbage Bags - X-Small 15 Litres - Febreze Freshness, 52 Trash Bags

Glad Cherry Blossom colour and scent Garbage Bags - X-Small 15 Litres - Febreze Freshness, 52 Trash Bags

(95)
$7.64
Prime
900+ bought in past month
Loading...
SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card - C10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, SD Card - SDSDXXU-064G-GN4IN

SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card - C10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, SD Card - SDSDXXU-064G-GN4IN

(71,074)
$21.99$16.59
FREE delivery Sun, Aug 10 on your first order
500+ bought in past month
Loading...
SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card - C10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, SD Card - SDSDXXD-128G-GN4IN
Best Seller

SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card - C10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, SD Card - SDSDXXD-128G-GN4IN

(71,074)
$29.99$26.61
FREE delivery Sun, Aug 10 on your first order
4K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Lexar 128GB Micro SD Card, microSDXC UHS-I Flash Memory Card with Adapter - Up to 100MB/s, A1, U3, Class10, V30, High Speed TF Card

Lexar 128GB Micro SD Card, microSDXC UHS-I Flash Memory Card with Adapter - Up to 100MB/s, A1, U3, Class10, V30, High Speed TF Card

(26,884)
$18.99
FREE delivery Wed, Aug 20 on your first order
5K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Lexar EQ790 4TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe 1.4, Blazing Speeds Up to 7000MB/s Read 6000MB/s Write for Intense Workloads & PS5 PC Gaming, High Performance Internal Solid State Drive

Lexar EQ790 4TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe 1.4, Blazing Speeds Up to 7000MB/s Read 6000MB/s Write for Intense Workloads & PS5 PC Gaming, High Performance Internal Solid State Drive

(334)
$319.99
100+ bought in past month
Loading...
NEEWER Advanced 18 inch LED Ring Light for Phone, LCD Touch Screen, 2.4G Remote Lights Control, 3200-5600K, Tripod Light for iPhone Action Camera, for Studio Makeup TikTok YouTube Video Salon (Black)

NEEWER Advanced 18 inch LED Ring Light for Phone, LCD Touch Screen, 2.4G Remote Lights Control, 3200-5600K, Tripod Light for iPhone Action Camera, for Studio Makeup TikTok YouTube Video Salon (Black)

(2,807)
$181.49
FREE delivery Sun, Aug 10
Loading...
Anker Nano USB C Wall Charger,45W Fast Charging Smart Display Charger,with 180°Foldable Plug,Smart Recognition,Built-in Care Mode,for iPhone17/16/15 (Non-Battery,One USB-C Port,No Cable Included) ClimatePartner certified

Anker Nano USB C Wall Charger,45W Fast Charging Smart Display Charger,with 180°Foldable Plug,Smart Recognition,Built-in Care Mode,for iPhone17/16/15 (Non-Battery,One USB-C Port,No Cable Included) ClimatePartner certified

(698)
$39.99
FREE delivery Wed, Mar 4
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
4K Digital Camera - 64MP UHD Digital Cameras for Photography - Autofocus Point and Shoot Camera Compact Cameras for Kids Teen Boys Girls - Small Camara with 16X Digital Zoom, 32GB SD Card, 2 Batteries

4K Digital Camera - 64MP UHD Digital Cameras for Photography - Autofocus Point and Shoot Camera Compact Cameras for Kids Teen Boys Girls - Small Camara with 16X Digital Zoom, 32GB SD Card, 2 Batteries

(2)
$59.99
PrimeFREE delivery Sat, Jun 14
Loading...
koolehaoda Professional Gimbal Head Tripod Head Aluminum Alloy Heavy Duty 360° Panoramic with Arca-Swiss Standard 1/4 inch QR Plate for DSLR Cameras up to 55.11lbs/25kg. (GH-3)

koolehaoda Professional Gimbal Head Tripod Head Aluminum Alloy Heavy Duty 360° Panoramic with Arca-Swiss Standard 1/4 inch QR Plate for DSLR Cameras up to 55.11lbs/25kg. (GH-3)

(63)
$168.98
FREE delivery Thu, Jun 19
Loading...
16.4Ft/5M Long USB C Cable, Durable USB A to USB C Charging and Data Sync Cord, Power Extension Cable for Any USB-C Enabled Security Cameras Phones Tablets Switch Pro Controller and More

16.4Ft/5M Long USB C Cable, Durable USB A to USB C Charging and Data Sync Cord, Power Extension Cable for Any USB-C Enabled Security Cameras Phones Tablets Switch Pro Controller and More

(95)
$11.99
FREE delivery Sat, Jun 14 on your first order
Loading...
DELLFY Dash Cam, Dash Cam Front and Rear with App Control, 4K UHD Front Camera+2K Rear Cameras, Front 170°+Rear 160°, Night Vision, Dash Camera for Cars with 3.0" IPS Screen, 32GB Card

DELLFY Dash Cam, Dash Cam Front and Rear with App Control, 4K UHD Front Camera+2K Rear Cameras, Front 170°+Rear 160°, Night Vision, Dash Camera for Cars with 3.0" IPS Screen, 32GB Card

(0)
$89.99$74.39
PrimeFREE delivery Sat, Jun 14
500+ bought in past month