Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "bggilliand2001" 
<bgilliand@m...> wrote:
> Treadwinkle,
> 
> Have you printed a 21 step wedge greyscale file yet? This should be 
> the first things you do with any new ink or ink change. You can get 
> the file on the web site at this link:
> 
> 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint/files/Image
> %20processing/21stepNew.jpg
> 
> It is located in the files>image processing section and 
> titled "21stepNew.jpg" on the group web site. Print this first if 
you 
> haven't already. I struggled and struggled only to find out after 
> printing this file that one of the ink carts was off. A call to MIS 
> got an apology and a prompt replacement.
> 
> I understand there are some problems with some of the Piezo inks 
> right now as well from reading posts on the Piezo list. Hang in 
> there! It is a struggle at first, I've banged around withis this 
for 
> about 6 months. My firts prints were terrible, but now I'm finally 
> getting the hang of things and some remarkable results. You will 
have 
> a noticable improvement with the Photorags. Make sure you do a head 
> alignment on the printer with your new paper. 
> 
> Maybe you can find someone in your area to compare notes and 
> workflows, or get some pointers on the conversion and printing 
> process. There are some great tutorials out there. Just search 
around 
> on the Adobe sight or the web. Sounds like you have the photography 
> down cold. Best wishes, I'll be glad to assist off line if you have 
> any specific questions or want to walk through the process. 
> 
> Barry Gilliand
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "treadwinkle" 
> <VOLveeta@b...> wrote:
> > I'm shooting actor headshots.  I've got a Canon d60, Epson 1280, 
> > piezotone warm neutrals and... eh!  I'm waiting for "the paper" 
to 
> > arrive because thusfar, with the Epson Archival Matte, the 
results 
> > are just plain unacceptable.  The Hahnemühle Photo rag is on 
> > backorder, and I don't know if IT will satisfy whenever I finally 
> > ACTUALLY see the stuff.  It's such a crapshoot, I'm this close to 
> > returning to the darkroom.  Does the right paper REALLY exist?
> > 
> > Is anyone out there SO happy with their digital b&w production 
that 
> > will PLEASE ease my fears that I've dived into a technology that 
> > really hasn't gotten there yet?  Help me!!!  Is it possible to 
find 
> > b&w satisfaction in the digital world?  Can real b&w be achieved?
> > 
> > I'm at a point where I just want someone to say, "try this paper 
> > with that particular ink and printer and you'll get very good 
> > results".  Because so far, well... I'm tired of wasting money.
> > 
> > Thanks for any thoughts.
> > 
> > Treadwinkle