Beginner What is matte?

[GalJulie]

Hi guys

I see people posting images asking which people prefer - matte or not matte.
What is matte?
Why do people hate matte?

Thx

 

[StephenM]

Matte or glossy surface. Think of it as plain paper or super glossy.

In favour of matte - can be perceived as "art" surface, doesn't have reflections. If printing with pigment based inkjet printers, no problem with "bronzing" (a surface effect with glossy papers when held at an angle to the light.

For glossy - deeper blacks, better tonal range, maximum detail.

Glossy makes a photograph look like a photograph and some photographers hate this

 

[MartynK]

Yip, it's a print finish. You can also get lustre/pearl finishes which are in between glossy and matte (aka matt).

I don't care for glossy at all. No particular reason, just a personal preference for matte.