Digital BW, The Print

David,
Sorry for delayed response.Been away.

> Interestingly, about a dozen years ago there were high quality
monochrome
> portrait CRT monitors made primarily for the DTP market which had a
white
> background with a black image (text) which displayed B&W photographs
very
> Œrealistically².<S>.
>

I worked for a company manufactoring DTP systems using the crts-page
at a time-like this. Market interest in color systems and competitive
forces drove their demise.


> Other than the limitation imposed by color inks, I think maybe we
might be
> making the solution harder to attain than it needs to be. I know
Paul Roark
> sees it somewhat from that perspective. However, there is a lot of
trial and
> error experience and the craft skill that derives from that in what
he does.


Yes,that was pretty much my point earlier. For now, at least, the
process is very much craft driven. I am delighted with the ability to
squeeze the utmost from a negative or transparency via digital means.
It puts those capabilitys in the hands of mere mortals as well as
large high budget concerns.In the past, masking for tonal changes,
sharpness via unsharp masks etc required special skills and gear. ie:
significant time and money.It was/is certainly doable by ordinary
people but not easily or at low cost.

Best,
Duane