Glossy, Satin, Matte - preferences for the people

[MrIconoclast]

I have been printing photographs for years and lately I have noticed that many people amoung the general population seem to prefer the matte finish for all types of photographs.  This has surprised me a bit, previously, most people seemed to enjoy the glossy or satin look.  The level of detail and perceived sharpness is much better on glossy papers.

 Has anybody else noticed a shift in preference for prints?    Is something going on with commercial photograph printing that I don't know about?

[mikeseb]

I'd have said the trend was in the opposite direction, now that there are printers that can print glossy capably; and a wider range of decent glossy papers.

[rdonson]

The "general population" regards photos as always being on plastic (RC).  That's generally all they've known.  Some labs now offer a "matte" on RC but its hard to think of it as a true matte finish on a paper stock.