Digital BW, The Print

Yes, fine monochrome printing is much more difficult than fine color printing, whether 
through Epson's or in the darkroom. I think it always will be. Just like Hitchcock's films 
were far more difficult to light than the color cinema of Hollywood today. You have so 
many subtle decisions to make, and like you both just suggested you don't know until you 
see it, the screen is just a point of departure ( like the negative in the ole days.) To me the 
great advantage of inkjet output is the ability to fine tune the curves in all areas of the file 
and the amazing control over dodging and burning. I have been able to impress clients 
over and over even when just printing out of a black channel on a 10K by spending a lot of 
effort mapping out my dodging and burning for a particular image. There is no short cut 
software for that. It's all about time and experiene.