Digital BW, The Print

* -----Original Message-----
* From: Paul Roark [mailto:paul.roark@verizon.net] 
* Sent: Monday, September 15, 2003 7:48 PM
* To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
* Subject: RE: [Digital BW] Getting everything calibrated and profiled
* 
* 
* Martin,
* 
* I agree that to do color work a monitor spyder and 
* appropriate software is very important.  But then, that's one 
* reason I like B&W so much.  I don't have to worry about the 
* color being "right."

Paul,

I think you are missing a lot by not getting the best monitor calibration
you can. My experience is that I get to a finished print more easily. It may
not be strictly necessary, but why not take advantage of good tools if you
have the option? 
* 
* I think B&W remains a medium in digital printing that can be 
* done with very little equipment.  A cheap PC and a printer 
* (1280 preferred, refurbished
* works) are about the only significant outlays one needs (or 
* will soon need) to make to produce archival B&W that is 
* visibly as good as the best.

I don't know, you can get by without Photoshop or your own means of digital
input (scanner or digital camera) but I don't think that there are many of
us who willingly go that route or wouldn't want a fast CPU, lots of RAM and
a good monitor. In theory I completely agree with you but in practice I am
skeptical. With poor tools or a shortage of tools achieving success is too
likely to be frustrating and ultimately expensive in materials.

Martin