Digital BW, The Print

Hello Vic,

>I'm still struggling to make the transition from film to digital 
>and my head is so full of ZONES that I am a little bit like a fish 
>out of water with this new 'system.'  I need an ANCHOR point 
>somewhere...With my old Zone VI calibrated spot meter, 4 x 5
>TRI-X/HC-110, and Brilliant paper I (thought) I knew what was 
going on most of the time!

I too came from a Zone VI orientation and am now happily doing only
digital printing, and am also now feeling my way into using a digital
camera (and I like what I'm getting so far, but still much to learn).
 

 
>I'm also a little bewildered by the reference to DOTS in BO printing 
>-- which by the comments I've read, seems to be a very good 
>methodology.  Are they REALLY discernable in a properly sized (for
>the image resolution) print?  

Yes and no.  It depends on what the definition of "discernable" is (my
last name is not Clinton <g>).  There are two levels of discernment. 
One is whether individual dots are visable.  In most cases a loupe is
required.  Someone with really sharp eyesight, looking carefully under
good light, can see dots in higher zones.  At normal viewing distance
by people who aren't looking for it they are never noticed.  The
other level of discernment is that BO prints have a grainy look in
smooth upper mid-tone areas that resembles Tri-X prints.  BO printing
is often preferred by long-time Tri-X users and is often referred to
as "Digital Tri-X".

My web site (link below) has some articles about BO printing and
discusses the pros and cons of the dots along with other things.  BO
is a great way to get started because there's no messing with
separation curves and paper profiles, and many people like it better
than other methods because of its look.  It's a complex issue with
many facets, but the main thing is it's easy and inexpensive to get
started and doesn't lock you in to any system.  You can always
experiment with other things and come back to it if you wish.  So
there's nothing to lose by trying it.


>Does anyone provide a similar inexpensive sample print series for 
>100% digital processing?  I still need to see a full digital B&W 
>print.

My web site also offers some inexpensive sample prints.  At the moment
they are all from scanned Tri-X negs, but I will very soon (next few
days) be adding one from my recent digital camera work. One of the
things I'm discovering is that because the digital images have no film
grain, the BO prints look much smoother than those from scanned film.
 So the grainy look is greatly reduced, but the crisp sharp BO look is
still there.  I'm very pleased with it and at this point have
dispelled my fears that I would not be able to make good BW photos
with a digital camera.  It's been a long slow transition for me, but
the more I learn the more excited I'm getting about it.  Please feel
free to contact me by email if you have any other questions.

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm