Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Jay Gladwell" 
<jaygladwell@h...> wrote:

> However, when it comes to printing my photographs, I cannot
> entrust that to anyone else.  There is simply no way anyone 
> other than me is going to know/understand what I want--even
> after a lengthy explanation!  Granted, you may be getting
> something that is acceptable to you, but I've tried that 
> early on and it simple doesn't work, not for me.


Plenty of major professional photographers work with labs all the 
time.  And anyone who creates works for publication -  books, 
magazines, posters, etc, has to develop a relationship with a 
printer who understands what they want.   If the pro's can do it you 
can do it.

Anyway, all you *really* need is a printer who gives you CONSISTENT 
results - R=G=B=200 = X density on the print, R=G=B=100 = Y density, 
R=G=B=50 = Z density, etc.   That way you can make all the 
adjustments in your file and know exactly what you're going to get 
on the print.   In my case I have a sample step wedge that I print 
along with the image which I then cut off in the paper cutter before 
mounting the print.   That wedge should look exactly the same every 
time so I simply have the lab use it as a reference - if the wedge 
comes out right the print comes out right.  If there's any tweaking 
to be done they get to do it.