A nature photography print is an investment that will elevate your space for years to come, providing beauty and inspiration each day.
Whether you’re purchasing one for yourself or seeking the perfect gift for a nature lover, choosing the right print is an important decision that requires care and consideration. After all, you want an artistic piece that captures the magic of the natural world while resonating with your personal style and living space.
With so many options available, it’s helpful to understand the factors that make one print higher quality, longer lasting and more aesthetically pleasing than others. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll explore everything from different print materials and sizes to assessing print quality and custom framing.
By the end, you’ll have the knowledge you need to pick out the perfect nature photography print, destined to become a treasured part of your home’s interior landscape for seasons to come.
Table of Contents
Consider the Subject Matter
Narrowing your desired subject matter down can make it much easier to pick out the right nature photography print for you.
Popular Subjects in Nature Photography
Image: “Spirit Island” from nature photographer Steve McLaughlin.
These subjects make particularly popular nature photography prints, due to their majestic beauty and universal appeal.
- Landscapes: Sweeping vistas with beautiful natural textures like mountains, forests, oceans and sunsets create a dramatic focal point on a large canvas or metal print.
- Iconic landscapes: Photos of well known scenes, like Moraine Lake or the Northern Lights are immediately recognizable and hold meaning to adventurers and travelers.
- Macro photography: Intimate close-ups of details like raindrops, flowers or insects let viewers appreciate nature’s tiny wonders at magnified scale. These can make a bold artistic statement.
- Wildlife portraits: Captivating moments with animals in their natural habitats, like birds in flight, grizzly bears grazing on dandelions, or wolves howling can bring us closer to our wild neighbours. For many, different species of animals may hold deeper spiritual meanings.
- Seasonal subjects: Images of fall foliage or breathtaking winter scenes can take you back to your favorite season any time of year.
Narrowing Down your Favorite Subjects
“Grazing Elk” is available in many sizes and formats in the Mountains and Treasures online print store.
Here are some tips for deciding which subject you like the best.
- Think about the space you’ll install the print in. What scenes or colours would go along with the room décor?
- Are you drawn more to warm, cool or vibrant tones that match your style? Would you prefer a centerpiece that immediately draws the eye in or a piece that complements the existing décor?
- Consider your interests – do you love birds, flowers, landscapes? Choosing subjects you personally find engaging will increase your enjoyment each time you see the print.
- Browse nature photography widely to see what common subjects inspire you most. Take mental notes on what catches your eye.
- Think seasonally – do you like prints that remind you of a certain time of year?
- Do any images stir memories of being out in nature for you?
Narrowing your search down to a few top subjects can help you zero in on prints that fit your aesthetic, interests and lifestyle.
Choosing a Print Medium
One of the most important decisions is selecting the right medium for the image to be printed on. As time goes on, printing techniques have become more and more refined, producing beautiful, high quality reproductions. Some of the most popular mediums for nature photography prints include:
- Lustre Paper Prints: These premium photo papers provide vibrant colors and sharp details. The most affordable option, and great for mid-sized prints. Paper prints should be framed as soon as possible, with glass or acrylic to protect your investment over time.
- Canvas Prints: Images are printed on thick, durable canvas using Pigment-based inks, then stretched across a warp-proof wooden frame. The textured surface of the canvas can lend to a more “painterly” feel than other mediums. These prints come with a middle-of-the-road price tag.
- Metal Prints: For high-end prints, a smooth sheet of aluminum is used as a base. Images are permanently bonded to the surface, and are almost as vivid and luminescent as they would be when viewed on a computer screen. Most expensive, but absolutely worth it.
For more detailed information about photography print mediums, see our two articles comparing the three and also a deep dive on Canvas vs. Metal prints.
Selecting a Print Size
How large does a nature photography print need to be? Print size dramatically impacts the viewer’s experience. Consider these factors:
- Wall Space: Measure the area where you plan to hang the print.
- Viewing Distance: Prints viewed from further away can showcase more dramatic vistas. Those seen close-up needn’t be as large. The size of your room will affect how far away viewers will be.
- Budget: Larger sizes obviously cost more to produce, but offer a bigger wow-factor. Try to find the sweet spot between size versus investment.
At Mountains and Treasures, our prints are available online from 8×12″ all the way up to 40×60″. We can also do larger prints by request. For more sizing considerations, see our article on the subject:
Assessing Print Quality
“Call of the Wild I” is available to order online in our photography web store.
When purchasing fine art prints, quality should be a top priority. Art is one area where “you get what you pay for” always rings true. While you can find cheap photography prints online, typically the quality reflects the price tag.
Some markers of high quality nature photography prints include:
- Resolution: Crisp lines and clear details without pixelation at the intended viewing distance.
- Gear: Images are taken using state of the art, modern camera gear.
- Color Accuracy: Colors look true to the original image without appearing dull, faded or over-saturated. In the worst case scenario, low quality printers may introduce unwanted color casts to the image.
- Blacks: Deep, rich blacks indicate good tonal range reproduction. Murky greys suggest lack of contrast – though it can sometimes be an artistic choice of the photographer.
- Texture (canvas only): An authentic canvas print has a textural surface that feels layered and robust.
- Longevity: The print material, coating and production process ensure light-fastness and longevity over decades on display. A quality print is meant to stand the test of time.
Mountains and Treasures selected our print labs by hand to make sure each of our prints meet the highest standards of quality, color fidelity and durability.
Bring a New Piece of Art Home Today
A quality print preserves your unique perspective on the natural world as vividly as the day it was captured. But it also serves as a reminder of nature’s restorative power right where daily life occurs.
We hope the tips shared here help guide you towards the perfect print for you! If you run into any troubles, you’re welcome to contact us any time.
