Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Mark Tucker" <mark@m...> wrote:
...
But I was surprised to 
> actually print out the same file, having toned it in different ways, 
> and see how different toning methods didn't match the monitor 
> exactly. I can only guess we're getting into gamut limitations 
> here.

Sure. That's one factor (RGB vs CcMmYK).

...... 
> Even yet another interesting approach that showed up with yet a 
> different result: Choose ColorSync in the Epson print driver, and 
> print the file THAT way, using the custom proflle. I found a slightly 
> different look to that even.

The problem with using colorsync at the driver level is that it uses your system 
profile which in turn is your monitor profile. As a result everytime you 
recalibrate your monitor you will end up with a different print (over time).


But as anybody who's ever tried to print a 
> 21-step grey wedge, using six colors (CMYK,c,m) can attest, it's 
> VERY tough to get all 21 chips to be the "same color" of neutral. It 
> seems deceptively simple; but I dare you to try it sometime.


I did. I now use Piezo instead! Thanks but no thanks on six-color gray.

 
> I'm on a 7000, using MIS lightfast dyes (six colors). Using Epson 
> Smooth Fine Art.


I am guessing you need the color inks so you can use the same printer for 
both? That's a serious dilemma for anyone getting up to the pricier Epsons. 
No good way to swap inks "on the fly" so to speak.  Other  devices offer more 
elegant ways (reecnt Iris upgrades, Ilford wide format etc).

....
 I am toning using 
> Hue/Saturation/Brightness most of the time. In RGB mode. And 
> using "colorize". But, I have also toned just using the different 
> RGB channels; moving the middle gamma slider left and right, 
> while in different individual channels. I *will* say too, that toning 
> using H/S/B sometimes gives this weird "banding" look when 
> radically-different tones are adjacent. Sometimes, using Levels 
> seems like it tones smoother; smoother, as in the gradation. But 
> Levels also seems more limited in how saturated and how 
> extreme you can tone.

As long as you are fiddling, you may want to try Lab. Makes more sense to 
keep color apart from grayscale.

> 
> I don't really work in layers very often; I just do many multiple 
> "Save As"'s along the way, ending up with numerous 
> slightly-different files. Somehow, working in layers seems kinda 
> sissy; ie. "just commit, one way or the other".

Sure, but not all layer uses are meant to be undone - as their primary 
purpose. An alternate workflow might be building layers on your main RGB 
file, then recording an action that makes a dupe, flattens it, and possibly even 
sizes it for you.
Also using combinations of layers opens up roads you wouldn't have 
otherwise. For example using a curve layer to adjust contrast and another to 
adjust Hue/Sat. Or  burn/dodge color  using layer calculations between copies 
of your bg image . On and on. Not the "law", just something to look into...


Antonis