Digital BW, The Print

* -----Original Message-----
* From: Eric Maquiling [mailto:eric@maquiling.org] 
* Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 5:16 PM
* To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint
* Subject: [Digital BW] Potential ex-darkroom convert
* 
* 
* I've moved a couple of times this year and it looks like my 
* darkroom will be in boxes for a while. I've been on lurking 
* mode listening and learning as much as I can.  I've been 
* generating some quickie 'beginner's guide' to a person with 
* nada, nothing, except of course a computer and cameras :)
* 
* This is what I have to get so far, and my question is, anyone 
* else can contribute?  I mostly want to do B&W, 11X14 as 
* biggest (or the next size up), may try doing digital negs for 
* alt processes:
* 
* 1280 printer (looks cost effective)
* I have Win2K, old, but works
* Piezo inks
* some type of software to calibrate my monitor?
* profiles?
* paper
* photoshop for dummies
* 
* Anyone have anything to add to the list?
* 
Eric,

If you are going with the Piezotone inks (use the Selenium Piezotone myself)
you will need the software that goes with it. Either the Piezo plug-in or
the bwguys.com version called "Image Export BW".

One thing to keep in mind in making the transition from the darkroom to
inkjet printing is that the inkjet printing works best on matte papers and
is comparable to matte silver fiber paper but very different from air dried
silver fiber. More like some of the alt processes. You have to look at the
change as a change in media not a substitution.

There is a lot to offer in terms of what Photoshop can do for you but as Ken
pointed out it is a steep learning curve. Think about how long it took you
to get silver prints you were satisfied with and while the switch will not
take as long you will have some idea of what you are getting into.

The monitor calibration is great but not required to start. You would be
well advised to create a custom dot gain curve in Photoshop so that you have
a reasonable match between what you see on screen and what comes out of your
printer. This can be done without any special software or equipment and if
you get that far there is info in the Files section on how to do it.

Dan Burkholder's site is a must read. You can use his techniques to make
great silver fiber prints too. I have a couple of platinum/palladium prints
made from contact negs printed with Epson dye inks on a 1280 on Pictorico
film that are really wonderful. Best of all worlds.

Martin Wesley
http://www.carolyn.cc/Guests/MartinWesley/pages/MW_01.html
http://www.borderless-photos.de/guests.html