Digital BW, The Print

Paul,

You'll be happy to hear that I'll soon have a 1290 here for writing curves.
The 1280 UT2 curves are not quite right for it.  So, the 1290 system will
get even better soon.

PermaJet's new papers are also going to be launched soon.  Its "Alpha
Natural White" is now at the top of my matte paper list.  It and Epson's
UltraSmooth (aka Scrapbook & Premier Art Hot Press) are the only cotton
based, non-optically-brightened, non-flaking papers I know of, but the Alpha
has a dmax close to PhotoRag.  So, the papers are really getting close. 

We need more buffered glossy papers (like the Epson Premium line) and glossy
papers with no bronzing that are better than Epson Glossy Paper (there may
be one).

On the "to do" list now is bust Adobe's monopoly at least for B&W workers.
Digital Light & Color is there, and I'm going to try to convince Microsoft
to support curves.  

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com 

For UT2 information, curves, and settings see:
http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/
____________________________

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Murphy [mailto:psmurnan@...] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 11:35 PM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digital BW] A photographer's thoughts on digital black & white
printing:

A photographer's thoughts on digital black & white printing:

I started my photographic career over 20 years ago as a black & white 
printer. I spent a few years in the darkroom printing large numbers 
of prints for the photographers in a busy commercial studio before 
becoming one of those photographers. I always preferred to print my 
own b&w when I had the chance as I really enjoyed it.

Gradually I moved away from printing and eventually digital 
photography became a working reality. I made the switch to digital 
cameras only last year when I was finally convinced the technology 
was viable and cost effective compared to film. There was a lot of 
new stuff to learn, in fact I'm still learning and enjoying the 
process. It certainly keeps my brain active and the re-education has 
focused me on the creative process more then ever.

I got involved in digital printing a few years ago with Epson desktop 
printers.  As colour  printers they were excellent.  I had always 
sent out colour work to a lab, now it was pretty easy to get a print 
from a scanned negative that looked as though it had come from that 
lab.  I brought most of my colour work back in house. I did try 
printing black & white on these printers but was never happy with the 
result. Colour casts were the main problem, I could never get a 
neutral print and black ink only prints would never be accepted by 
clients used to those on glossy resin coated paper. So I left digital 
printing to colour work only and printed b&w the traditional way in 
the darkroom.

Wind forward to a few months ago. I read some articles in photography 
magazines about quadtone ink systems that piqued my interest. A 
thorough search on the internet yielded a lot of information. I knew 
I was in for a whole new learning experience. 

Firstly I equipped myself with an Epson 1160 and MIS VM Quadtone 
inks. It was straightforward to set up and get prints from. I used 
Epson Archival Matte and Hahnemuhle Photo Rag paper. Ok so these 
prints were not what I was used to from the darkroom. I had generally 
preferred gloss or lustre RC finish on my black & white work. Trying 
these types of papers (Ilford Gallerie Pearl for example) led to 
differential reflections with the pigment based inks that were 
unacceptable.  Holding one of the prints from the 1160 on matte paper 
next to a darkroom printed copy is like chalk and cheese. They are 
two very different media. This is what I needed to get my head 
around. The matte print when placed under a glass frame gives a 
lovely classic, timeless image and is clearly ideal for a large size 
exhibition print. Hold it in your hand and it looks a little lifeless 
and dull, frame it and it takes on a whole new character. 

On the internet I read about a new model printer from HP that claimed 
to deliver exceptional black & white prints on glossy paper using 
their optional grey cartridge. A lot of research led me to buying the 
HP 7660. Straight out of the box I got a print that closely matched 
those from the darkroom. I have spent a few weeks running prints 
through it with a variety of papers and have found it to be a 
terrific printer. The combination of HP's Premium Plus Glossy Paper 
with the grey cartridge has been tested by Wilhem Research to have a 
lifespan of 75 years. That's good enough for my clients and me.  I 
have had very good results using Ilford Gallerie Smooth Pearl, though 
that does not have the archival properties of the HP paper. However 
if you need prints that don't need to last a lifetime it's the paper 
to use.  The 7660 is limited by its output size compared to the 
larger Epson models. Hopefully HP will release an A3+ version in the 
future. I have not used my darkroom for black & white printing since 
I bought this printer.

My latest experience is with an Epson 1290 (1280 in the US) and MIS 
UT2 inkset. I decided to give this a try after reading about users 
experiences on this forum. Compared to the 1160, the prints are an 
improvement. Clearer, sharper images with better shadow detail and 
increased dynamic range.  I can also print on glossy surfaces; Epson 
Premium Semi-Gloss giving the best result and having, as I 
understand, an archival lifespan of 200 years. I recently went to a 
Man Ray exhibition currently showing in the Art Gallery of New South 
Wales (Australia) and was pleased to note that the quadtone prints I 
am making now on my 1290 with UT2 are similar in tone and finish to 
those on display there. The Man Ray prints date from the mid 1920s.

So what are my conclusions? I am convinced that I can retire my 
darkroom in the very near future and totally rely on digital printers 
for my black & white work.   There are two types of print media that 
although very different in appearance, offer photographers (and 
clients) a distinct choice. The quadtone pigmented ink on cotton rag 
paper when framed under glass looks elegant and timeless.  The RC 
glossy or lustre finish dye based print has the look and feel of a 
traditional darkroom print.  I like to use both where appropriate. 


This very forum has provided me with much valuable help and 
knowledge. I must say a big thank you to Paul Roark whose tireless 
work in this area and quick response to varied requests from many 
members is to be commended. There are many other members too; who 
provide knowledgeable and ready help for those learning this often 
difficult and sometimes frustrating process. 

Paul Murphy




Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, and other resources as
they are often being updated.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint

If you wish to receive no emails or just a daily digest, or you wish to
unsubscribe, please edit your Membership preferences by visiting this same
page.

Please follow these basic guidelines:
- As threads develop, trim off excess portions of earlier messages to keep
them short.
- Good manners are required at all time. No personal attacks or flames.
Hostile, aggressive or argumentative users may be removed from the
membership without notice.
- Keep your posts and threads related to the group topic of digital B&W
printing. Users who persistently make off-topic posts may be removed from
the membership.
- By posting on this forum you agree to abide by the group rules and
guidelines, and to abide by the actions and decisions of the group Owner and
Moderators. See "Group Topic, Rules and Guidelines" in the Files section:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint/files/

BY PARTICIPATING IN AND/OR POSTING MESSAGES TO THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT
YAHOO! GROUP YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THE "OWNER" AND
"MODERATORS" OF DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU
FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY
DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS,
GOODWILL, USE, DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF THE  "OWNER" AND
"MODERATORS" OF DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES), RESULTING FROM: (i) THE USE OR THE INABILITY
TO USE THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP; (ii) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR
ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA; (iii) STATEMENTS OR CONDUCT OF ANY
THIRD PARTY ON THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP; OR (iv) ANY OTHER
MATTER RELATING TO THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP.
 
Yahoo! Groups Links