Digital BW, The Print

Mike, where do you get a Stouffer step Guide?
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> Austin wrote:
>> I don't understand how compressing blacks will make them "better"???  The
>> darkest black will still be the darkest black, even if there is more of
>> it...
> 
> Me neither, I prefer to have a nice linear distribution of tone.
> 
> Austin, here is my final observation in all this and I think that the bottom
> line is that if people are happy with the Piezography output then by all
> means use it.
> 
> If one was to compare the printed 21 step tablet that IJM supplies with
> their system to a calibrated Stouffer 21 Step Sensitivity Guide I thick my
> point will become immediately evident. The 21 Step Stouffer is a quality
> control scale that helps the user to determine and standardize the proper
> exposure and processing of photo materials. Obviously it is also used in
> printing as a check to determine that the full tonal range is profiling
> correctly.
> 
> The densities of each of the 21 Step Senitivity Guide each represent
> approximately 1/2 - 2/3 stop.  The guide is extremely linear and obiously it
> would be difficult to fully linearize a inkset and may not be entirely
> necessary. If you were to measure and graph the Piezo or MIS FS  inks with
> their software you would find that the highlights are expanded and the
> shadows are compressed a bit. The effect of this in densimetric terms is an
> increase in contrast. This is not necessarily a bad thing as it is well
> established that an increase in contrast gives the appearance of of denser
> blacks.
> 
> In an ideal world, my point is that I want software that produces a linear
> distribution of tones. Obviously I do not want a linear distribution within
> my print as it would be completely flat and lifeless. Howvere, I want the
> tonal range of the 21 step table to be linear so that when I manipulate my
> image on the screen and determine the density range along with lightness and
> contrast, the printer prints my image exactly as I intended.
> 
> What the Piezo driver is doing is increasing contrast to the benefit of the
> image and in 99% of the cases this is acceptable and appreciated by the end
> user. But, for a zone system large format photgrapher such as I am, I prefer
> to have my materials as linear as possible and let my previsualization of
> the scene be translated to the final output without any help.
> 
> I do agree that most people appreciate the extra help.
> 
> Mike
> 
> 
> 
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