Digital BW, The Print

* -----Original Message-----
* From: Terry [mailto:teelions@...] 
* Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 9:39 PM
* To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
* Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Trouble with ImageExportBW
* 
* 
* Martin
* 
* I'm also using a 1280 on Win XP. But I did as you suggested and hit 
* the feed button after it shot through the first time and IT WORKED! 
* Thanks for the hint.

Terry,

Take Gilbert's advice as well. I bet if you put the foam core in as he
described you probable won't have to do the double feed anymore.
* 
* By the way, I'm using the MIS FSN inks with this driver and I must 
* say I am not truely satisfied with the quality of the print as 
* compared to the MIS-VM inks I used previously. I'm finding less 
* tonality (muddy) and less sharpness with prints using the FSN inks as 
* compared with the same images I previous outputted with the VM inks. 
* I'm printing on Somerset Velvet paper.

There shouldn't be any difference in the image sharpness unless what you are
seeing the result of reduced contrast which might be perceived as being
softer. Just remember that you have to edit your image file to work with the
different ink and software. It isn't possible to take a file that printed
well with MIS-VM and RGB separation curves and have it print well with FSN
and the plug-in or with any other combination of ink and software. Anytime
you change, ink, paper or software you will have to adjust your image to
compensate for the change in materials. Just like working in the wet
darkroom and changing to a different brand of paper. The contrast, exposure,
burning and dodging all have to be adjusted.
* 
* I'm considering switching out the FSN's and trying out the Ultratones 
* since I'm still in the experimental stage before committing to a CIS 
* system. But the FSN's are brand new. I've only made few prints with 
* them. What could I do to enhance the quality of the print?

I suspect what you are seeing is the double impact of the lower Dmax the
plug-in produces combined with the low Dmax the Somerset Velvet produces.
With the FSN and the plug-in try one of the Hahnemuhle papers such as Photo
Rag, German Etching or William Turner. These should give you a much stronger
black. Or try the Ultratones since that will give you a full black ink
density on the Velvet.

Unfortunately a lot of this comes down to personal experimentation. We all
have our own individual tastes. The only way you can find what pleases you
the most is to try out different combinations of inks, paper and software
until you have a set of materials and a workflow that gives you what you
want.

At some point though you need to pick something and stay with it long enough
to master it. I have seen people make excellent prints with just about every
workflow, inks and paper. I think the quality of their results had more to
do with the time and attention they put into their printing than what
particular materials and methods they chose.

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