Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Tyler Boley" <tyler@t...> 
wrote:

(snip)
> 
> Actually I start even smaller and work up, and often do full image 
> size but cropped small prints of areas that need more attention, 
also 
> to evaluate sharpening. After all that I tend to think I'll luck 
out 
> and get a good one at full size and go ahead. Never happens. 
Sometimes 
> I do a 13x19 on EAM since the tonal values with my curves are so 
> similar to Wells River, but it feels so different I still can't say 
> for sure untill I do a big one on the final paper. You know, you 
can 
> do everything right and the magic still isn't there, assuming it 
will 
> ever be!

Tyler,

I know exactly what you mean. While the overall adjustments may work 
okay, local contrasts and brightnesses may not work at all. In the 
small print some small area is fine and at a larger size it becomes a 
featureless blob that needs local contrast work. Mostly it is just 
the aesthetics. Things simply do not look the same as the print 
changes size. Works both ways too. An image that looks great as a 
16x20 may not come across well at 8x10.
> 

(snip)

> 
> If I can sneak it into the car behind my girlfriend's back. I think 
> she's anticipating spending some time together, even after all 
these 
> years!

Now this is a common photographic problem that nevers seems to get 
adequate coverage in any of the photo books. Even Ansel failed to 
give us a solution to this one. Maybe he was holding some secrets 
back after all!

Actually I did solve this problem to some extent. I did a very 
dastardly deed and succeeded in getting my wife addicted to 
photography. She is in charge of color with her Canon G1 and I handle 
the B&W. This has resulted in a much greater tolerance for taking 
pictures while vacationing!
> 
> > towards the Piezo driver but don't like the ink color. I really 
do 
> > hope to get to see some of your prints one of these days.
> 
> My problem is that I tear them up as fast as I make them...

I am much worse and never throw any of them away resulting in 
mountains of worthless work prints of unknow origins all over the 
place!

Martin