Digital BW, The Print

John,

>...
>I studied with Todd Walker, ...

Todd (aka Hal) Walker was my Dad's high school darkroom and ham radio buddy.

>...I think we are just now experiencing digital 
>monochrome  as the new great medium we always hoped it 
>would be. 

I think it is getting there.  I'd really like it to be a medium that is not
dominated by large companies and is accessible to what would have been
darkroom workers in the past.

>...I still wish Wilhelm would help us out a little. ...

I agree, but it's a business for him, and I'm not sure the economics are
there for anyone to pay his fee at this point.

>What do you think of the role of sprays as one of the big answers 
>for longevity?

I think they could be very important, for both fading and physical
protection of the pigments.  The fade results with PremierArt spray on UC
inks are impressive.  Sadly, however, the dmax on matte paper is usually
decreased with the spray.  

It's a bit odd that the MIS inks are not helped that much.  It may be that
the MIS ink already has a substance that does whatever the PremierArt is
doing.  Perhaps it's the MIS UT binder.  I have noted that it is a bit on
the yellow side, so maybe there is a UV filter in it.

I have searched for a clear, archival coating that is also a really good
oxygen barrier. (Most fading is oxidation.)  It doesn't seem to exist at
this point.  Those that can stop oxygen don't last very long.  Also, many of
the otherwise most promising coatings yellow.  I think we'll see significant
progress in this area over the next decade.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com