Peter Lik Alternative

If you’ve ever stepped into a Peter Lik gallery, you know the feeling, those breathtaking, larger-than-life landscapes seem to glow from within, leaving a lasting impression. Peter Lik, the renowned Australian photographer, has built a visual empire around dramatic, vibrant landscape photography, showcased in luxurious galleries across the U.S.

But here’s something many people don’t realize you don’t have to break the bank to bring this level of beauty into your home.

As a professional fine art landscape photographer myself, I often meet collectors searching for art similar to Peter Lik – those glossy, oversized prints that transform a room. Many of them stumble across my work while Googling “artists like Peter Lik” or “Peter Lik style prints,” and it’s easy to see why.

Let’s explore what makes the “Peter Lik style” so captivating—and how you can achieve the same stunning look through other talented artists (yes, including me).

Who Is Peter Lik?

Peter Lik first discovered the beauty of American landscapes in 1984 while traveling through Alaska. He later returned to the U.S. in 1989 with a goal of capturing all 50 states, eventually publishing a coffee table book called “Spirit of America”.

His signature style—sweeping panoramas, rich colors, bold contrasts—was honed using both film and digital formats. Lik’s tools of choice have included the Linhof 617 Technorama (a medium-format film camera), along with Phase One and Nikon systems.

By the mid-1990s, he had established a printing and framing facility in Las Vegas and began building a gallery empire. Today, his name is nearly synonymous with high-end landscape photography.

What Camera Does Peter Lik Use?

Lik is best known for his panoramic photographs captured with a Linhof 617 Technorama and using Fuji film. He is featured in several photographs with this monster in his arms. Peter is more of an athletic type but I doubt he enjoys carrying this monster around on long hikes.

Linhof 617 Technorama

Linhof 617 is a panoramic 6 x 17cm frame size camera. It is now available at around $7k new or around $5 to $6k used and uses 120 and 220 roll films. Although there may be a rare situation where this camera is preferable to the latest full-frame Nikon digital panned three times for panoramic capture but I wouldn’t bet at those odds.

Phase One

Another camera Peter Lik used is a Phase One. This brand is known for its modular XF medium format design.

The idea behind this design is that you don’t have to replace the whole camera when technology advancement produces better image acquisition electronics. You just swap the backing like you would re-load the film on the analog cameras and you immediately will obtain upgraded capability. This beauty is not for everyone though. The current listed price of the latest Phase One 100MP camera with an 80 mm lens is 48,990 USD.

FujiFilm GFX100

The next one on the list is FujiFilm GFX100. This baby is a much more affordable alternative to 100MP Phase One. With the price tag of approximately $10k for a body, it comes closer to the professional full-frame systems but not quite there yet. Prepare to shell out another $3k for a lens and you’ll be ready to hit the road.

Nikon D850

And lastly, Peter Lik also used Nikon D850 and I’m sure his backpack was much lighter when he did. The 850 is a magnificent 46MP full-frame camera that is capable to produce amazing images with a very wide dynamic range. I personally forgot when was last time when I had to do bracketing using this camera. Even on the most contrasting scenes, it masters to capture the full range.

Which camera would you choose to do your landscape photography? Medium format is amazing for certain types of work. For example, shooting the Grand Canyon standing on the rim without any front plan. Like the one below.

The medium format would be unbeatable. For a scene like the one below, I would choose the 35mm camera system.

The reason is the optical properties of the large format cameras. In order to get the sharp image across the wide focal length, you will have to focus stack way more than you would with 35 mm. Even at the similar aperture and focal settings, the depth of field of large and medium format camera is going to be squeezed much more than on 35mm.
Anyway. Enough about the camera’s specifics and back to Peter Lik.

Famous Work by Peter Lik

There is a number of landmark photographs of Peter Lik that often decorate the main feature walls at the storefront of his galleries.

1. Phantom – A photo made inside of Upper Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona.

2. Tree Of Life – A photograph of a Japanese Maple tree located in the Japanese Garden of Portland, Oregon.

3. Sacred Sunrise – A photograph of the sunrise bursting its rays under the Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park.

4. Endless Summer – A seascape featuring the Scripps Pier in La Jolla, California.

5. Spirit Of the Universe – A lavender field under the Milky Way spanning above the sun-lit clouds shortly after the sunset. How did Peter manage to capture all of them together? Don’t ask me.

6. Ghost – Another photograph of Antelope Canyon with a similar subject as the Phantom.

7. One – A photograph of autumn trees reflecting in the water. The print was reportedly sold for $1 million.

Where Are Peter Lik’s Galleries?

Peter Lik’s galleries are strategically placed in major tourist destinations—from Las Vegas to New York to Miami. In fact, Las Vegas alone hosts four Lik Fine Art galleries, attracting thousands of art lovers daily.

• New York. Lik Fine Art – The Shops at Columbus Circle
• Aspen, Colorado. Lik Fine Art Aspen at 406 E Hopkins Ave
• Caesars, Las Vegas, Nevada. Lik Fine Art Caesars at The Forum Shops at Caesars. The Forum Shops at Caesars Third Floor 3500 South Las Vegas Boulevard Suite T-10, Las Vegas. Phone: +1 702-836-3310
• Forum , Las Vegas, Nevada, Suite N-09 Las Vegas, Nevada 89109. Phone: +1-702-369-8239
• Key West, Florida. 400 A Duval St, Key West, FL 33040. Phone: +1-305-292-2550
• Lahaina, Maui. Tragically destroyed in Lahaina fire in Summer 2023.
• La Jolla, California. 1205 Prospect Street La Jolla, California 92037. Phone: +1-858-200-0990
• Peter Lik NYC– The Shops at Columbus Circle, Floor 1, 10 Columbus Circle, Suite 118, New York, New York 10019, (212) 941-6391
• Mandalay, Las Vegas, Nevada. 3930 Las Vegas Boulevard, Suite 131 Las Vegas, Nevada 89118. Phone: +1-702-309-9888
• Miami, Florida. 655 Lincoln Road Miami Beach Florida 33139. Phone: +1-786-235-9570
• The Venetian, Las Vegas, Nevada. Lik Fine Art at Venetian Hotel. 3377 Las Vegas Blvd S Suite 2071, Las Vegas, NV 89109, Phone: +1 702-309-8777
• Park City, Utah – 592 Main Street, Park City, Utah 84060, (435) 599-7119

Given the sheer number of tourists who pass through these venues, it’s no wonder Peter Lik has become the face of acrylic photography. But again, he’s not the only artist creating this style of work.

Most of Lik’s galleries are outfitted with the light-controlled showrooms to showcase the prints to potential customers. Peter Lik’s finishing method of choice is acrylic face-mount technique. This is one of the most expensive methods of photo finish and probably, the best in conveying the essence of photography. The glossy, high-definition prints create the sense of magic.

What Paper Peter Lik Prints On?

Peter Lik used to use silver halide material for his Limited Edition images such as FujiFlex Crystal. However recently he has announced that he completely switching to Hahnemuhle Metallic Gloss. That signifies a big shift from chemically processed papers to inkjet technology.
I did few tests myself and you can’t really tell the difference between modern pigment ink metallic prints and silver halide by Fuji. Only at a very close range and looking at a sharp angle to the print’s surface you can see the somewhat smoother surface of the FujiFlex. To get more information and comparative analysis of the two competing media please read my post on the subject.

What is the Peter Lik Style?

So, what do we mean when we say – Peter Lik Style? Lik’s signature style that fascinates so many guests visiting his galleries and many photographers around the world is a spectacular presentation technique.

Firstly – all images are printed in large format for maximum visual impact.

Secondly – all images are face-mounted on acrylic. This the finishing method of choice for Peter Lik.

Thirdly – if framed, the vast majority are set in wide linen-wrapped liners and expensive frames. In contrast to the traditional photo print presentation methods with cardboard matting and plain minimalistic frames.

And finally, if it’s a color print, it will sport a particularly high level of color saturation. Don’t take me wrong. This is beautiful and in part that’s what makes these prints play with the light the way they do. If you’re interested in learning about prices on some of Peter Lik’s images and their availability on the secondary market, please read my post on Lik’s secondary market.
And that was in essence a simple recipe for the Peter Lik style. And not being able to offer you an actual photo of Peter Lik’s piece I will post some of mine.

How to print like Peter Lik?

If you’ve visited a Lik gallery, you’ve probably experienced that awe. The photographs don’t just hang—they command the space. They shine. They seem to glow from within.

I was making acrylic mounted prints over the past decade and learned few things about the process, display properties, longevity, and many other aspects of this type of art. In my opinion acrylic face-mount is the ultimate finishing style for fine art photography.

For a while, I didn’t have a chance to properly inspect Peter Lik’s print in person outside of what I saw at his galleries. Until a client of mine asked me to frame a print he bought on the second-hand market. He sent me the print and I had an opportunity to inspect it up close. The print I had in my hands had what looked like a metallic glossy photopaper encapsulated between 3 mm thick front layer and a 1 mm thick backing. I was pleased to see that the general look and feel of the print were very similar to what I was producing. The only exception is that I only sometimes use acrylic on both sides of the print while Peter Lik seems to use it all the time. I frequently use composite board like Dibond TM for exceptional flatness and weight advantages.

What is Acrylic Face-mount?

Face-mount is a production and presentation method for graphics art, mostly photography. The photographic print is being permanently sandwiched with the print face adhering to the acrylic panel and the back of the print is backed to either one of a number of rigid composites, such as Sintra, FoamCore, Dibond, or another sheet of acrylic. The result: extreme depth, detail, and a vibrant “backlit” appearance when lit from the front. The optical clarity of the acrylic enhances contrast and saturation, making the print come alive.

For me, the selection of the backing usually depends on the size of the print. For larger pieces, I almost exclusively use composite panels. I chose them for their rigid properties which allow me to avoid deformations during mounting and float-mount application. For smaller pieces, I often use acrylic which has an attractive translucent edge.

The resulting package is super flat, especially comparing to free-floating prints mounted under the glass, which can deform and warp with humidity. Clarity and vibrance is another key characteristic that multiplies the key traits of a photographic print making it a true piece of art.

Acrylic Printing vs. Acrylic Face Mounting

Some shops offer acrylic prints that are not the same as acrylic face-mounted pieces. The acrylic prints are made by printing directly on an acrylic panel using specialized solvent-based inks. While at the first glance such prints may look similar and even offer a cost incentive you will quickly realize their disadvantages. To see the difference, you shall see them displayed next to a metallic media face-mounted print. The metallic papers carry tiny metal particles infused into the surface of the paper. Those particles increase the reflectivity of the images printed on them creating a so-called backlit effect.

Does Peter Lik Alternative mean a copycat?

One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is that only Peter Lik offers this kind of quality. That’s simply not true.

The acrylic face-mount process was initially registered under trademark – Diasec and was invented by Heinz Sovilla-Brulhart in 1969. Today quite a few photographers offer their work in acrylic mounted style. There are numerous print shops that offer one or more different acrylic based printing methods including face-mount.

I specialize in large-format acrylic face mount prints, crafted with the same level of care and attention to detail. My work is printed by myself in my personal production shop using archival materials, and I perform every step—from capture to final framing.

The key difference? I work directly with collectors – no high-rent galleries, no sales pressure, no inflated pricing. Just world-class fine art, made accessible.

All my images offered on this website are original works of my authorship. I have few photographs of well-known landmarks which recently turned into photographer’s places of worship. Peter Lik of course has his own take on those. Such are, for example, the lavender fields of French Rivera or Mesa Arch in Utah.

I also have lots of original subjects with nothing similar in anyone’s collection and which deserved the attention of art lovers all over the world.

Comparing Alternatives to Peter Lik Photography

Let’s discuss prices. Currently, there are numerous high-volume print shops around the country and overseas that offer acrylic mounted print service to anyone. There is also a number of talented photographers that offer their work through those shops. So, the resulting prints are in every way very similar in finish and style to those you see in Peter Lik galleries. The finishing technique is not cheap and you’re still looking to spend $3000 to $5000 for a large, framed print.

These prices come close to what is available through Peter Lik galleries but are often still a bit more affordable.

I have tried going this route too and eventually decided that I can offer better value to my clients by carrying out all tasks by myself. This way I can assure personal attention, quick fulfillment time, and a piece of mind of knowing how the print looks before I pack it for shipment.

So, just to compare prices and lead times. I have assembled some average prices for a limited-edition fine art print framed in linen-wrapped liner and premium frame. All price samples were taken at the time of writing.

As you can see, I offer expedited production of your order which is on average ships within 5 business days and at an unbeatable price.

Additionally, while most commercial nature photographers including Peter Lik rarely see the prints, they sell which are handled by the printing team of a specialized production facility. I handle each step of the production process from color correction to printing, mounting, framing, and building the crate for your artwork to safely travel to its final destination.

To conclude

Some of Peter Lik collectors are also clients of mine and I was pleased to hear them speak very highly about the quality and visual appeal of my work. I work alone and can afford to sell my prints at a lower price comparing to most galleries selling similar art. I also make them with lower print runs with some title editions as low as 25 copies.

If you’re on the market for stunning original photography art you shall definitely consider all leading and upcoming artists in the field you can find. In case you like a particular Peter Lik’s image but are on a limited budget, I would recommend looking at the secondary market and be prepared to take what’s available in terms of size and finish. And finally, if money is not a factor, buy what you love and never look back.

Non-Affiliation Disclaimer

Alexander Gubski Photography is an independent business. Alexander Gubski is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Peter Lik or the other owners of respective brands mentioned on this website. As well as with any of their subsidiaries or their affiliates. All brand names, as well as any related names, marks, emblems, and images, are registered trademarks of their respective owners. These trademark holders do not sponsor or endorse Alex Gubski Photography or any of its products or comments.