Digital BW, The Print

It's interesting because I have had a bulletin borad hanging in my studio for 4 years with 
all kinds of proofs that I've done through the years on it on all kinds of papers. The most 
common papers on it are Hahnemuhle rag media and Epson Enhanced Matt. I don't smoke 
and don't allow anyone else to smoke in the studio ( nor do I burn wood in a fireplace. 
None of these 5x7-8x10 size prints are yellowed or stained in any way. I just looked. They 
all look like new and have not been sprayed. 

It is very true that cigar and cigarette smoke will absorb into inkjet prints like moths to a 
flame. And, if smoke and ozone from airconditioners will discolor these prints, then a lot 
of other contaminants will as well. But some people just worry too much. If you don't like 
taking chances with new media go back to the toxic darkroom and die an early death. 
Have fun in there.


> 
> Just curious- any of you other smokers (I know you're out there!)
> noticed yellowing prints?  I left a scrap print made on EEM laying on
> top of my scanner and noticed that after a day or so it had become
> noticebly yellow. In fact all the scrap prints I have laying around
> are discolored, none of which have never come into contact with
> newsprint (hell, i don't even get the paper, just find the news too
> depressing these days). I smoke alot when I work, so obviously I
> theorize the coating absorbed the residue from the cigarette smoke. 
> Anyone else?
> 
> And I already know that I will die a painful death of lung cancer so
> no lectures please;)
> john