What do you want your photographs to look like – in the flesh? It’s all very well to look at our images on a phone or computer screen, but when you turn the files into a print with paper and ink, what does it need to say?

For photographers wanting an authentic look, sport or wildlife for example, then a gloss or semi-gloss can be an indication of reality. Interestingly, even in the days of film, an ‘authentic’ look was equated with enhanced colours and contrast. People would say they wanted ‘natural’, and then promptly picked ‘enhanced’ because it looked better.

On the other hand, if your approach to photography is a little more interpretative, then a matte paper with its softer contrast and colours is very popular. Sure, there’s a slightly smaller gamut, but colour is as much a matter of the other colours that surround it and so you can still create prints that appear to have enhanced colour and contrast, but sit on a matte surface without annoying reflections.

Canson Infinity Edition Etching Rag is a 100% cotton fine art paper with a smooth texture, reminiscent of the original genuine etching and printmaking papers. The paper has the purest white tone available on the market, without any optical brightening agents (OBAs) which deteriorate over time and, if you’re printing with archival intent, are not a good choice.

Canson Edition Etching Rag offers a high paper shade stability and a resistance to aging by using natural minerals. The museum-grade paper provides deep blacks, excellent image sharpness, optimum colour graduation and its unique slight grain makes it ideal for printing detailed work, colour photographs and exceptional black and white portraits.

Edition Etching Rag comes in a full range of sheet and roll sizes and is available from Kayell Australia.