Digital BW, The Print

>
>
> I was talking with a professional photographer friend of mine today (we
> owned a studio together some 10 years ago).  He is one of the better 
> B&W
> photographers in both his imagery and his darkroom techniques...and he 
> has
> tried to print digitally, but hasn't gotten very far (he doesn't like 
> the
> results).  He simply isn't doing it right (printing on a color 
> printer, or
> single ink printing), and isn't all that computer/technology savvy as 
> far as
> digital imaging goes.  I will bring him some Piezo prints tomorrow, 
> and he
> will in fact be making a comparison for him self.  He would very much 
> like
> to print digitally, and if he likes what he sees in my digital prints, 
> I'll
> be helping him get set-up to do so.

> Austin
>
>

Austin,

It will be interesting to hear from you what his reactions are.

There was a recent article in some new digital printing magazine that 
showed up in my mail, called Great Output.  The article listed a number 
of myths about digital printing, and the responses to them.  I think 
Harald Johnson was a participant, maybe even the writer of the article. 
  Hope I'm not misrepresenting him here.  Anyway, one of the main myths 
is that digital printing is easy, or easier than darkroom printing.  
Harald (I believe), points out that one of the things that makes 
digtial printing even more complex is the vast number of choices we 
must make in doing it.  The general public thinks that photography is 
easy to do because the manufacturers have provided us with tools with 
which it is indeed very easy to get an amazingly good snapshot.  Of 
course, we all know how much more there is to it to make a good 
photograph.  And there is a lot to learn about making good digital 
prints as well.  People at work often complain to me "you know, I 
printed this picture on my printer, and the colors were all wrong."  I 
just smile, shake my head, feel their pain, and think to myself "you 
have no idea."  :  )

James


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