Digital BW, The Print

Saturday, August 31, 2002, 10:12:44 PM, treadwinkle wrote:

t> I'm shooting actor headshots.  I've got a Canon d60, Epson 1280, 
t> piezotone warm neutrals and... eh!  I'm waiting for "the paper" to 
t> arrive because thusfar, with the Epson Archival Matte, the results 
t> are just plain unacceptable.  The Hahnem\ufffdhle Photo rag is on 
t> backorder, and I don't know if IT will satisfy whenever I finally 
t> ACTUALLY see the stuff.  It's such a crapshoot, I'm this close to 
t> returning to the darkroom.  Does the right paper REALLY exist?

t> Is anyone out there SO happy with their digital b&w production that 
t> will PLEASE ease my fears that I've dived into a technology that 
t> really hasn't gotten there yet?  Help me!!!  Is it possible to find 
t> b&w satisfaction in the digital world?  Can real b&w be achieved?

t> I'm at a point where I just want someone to say, "try this paper 
t> with that particular ink and printer and you'll get very good 
t> results".  Because so far, well... I'm tired of wasting money.

t> Thanks for any thoughts.

t> Treadwinkle


Have you viewed other's digital work or just your own so far with no
"yardstick" to measure against?

I'm getting some pretty amazing results myself after only two months
with an 1160, MIS FS-N inks and EAM. I've just participated in my
first print exchange and must say I've been even more wowed by those
who are obviously doing an even better job than I am. And one great
thing is seeing in my hands how the potential is even higher with
papers other than EAM. I too am anxiously awaiting my Hahnem\ufffdhle Photo
rag, which is on the way.

Seeing what others have been able to accomplish, even though I was
fairly satisfied even before, has provided incredible incentive
knowing that even better can indeed be achieved.

You do not say how extensive or proficient are your B&W digital
darkroom skills but be sure you are keeping in mind that the entire
digital workflow, (I'll assume you are using superlative negatives)
from scanning the negative to post-processing in Photoshop, is as
important as all your traditional darkroom steps are to producing
a wonderful print digitally as well.

As another poster said, please give us some particulars of your
dissatisfaction, and include details of your entire workflow.

Best regards,
 Richard  

mailto:richard@...