Digital BW, The Print

First, let me give Clayton Jones a plug here since your question can find a
lot of answers in an article he wrote and posted on his website. Click here
http://www.cjcom.net/articles/digiprn5.htm for his very informative "Great
Paper Chase" piece.

I had the same "complaint" with the Moan Entrada natural, and as a result
tried the BW. It seems a bit brighter than EEM, though not quite as smooth
and detailed. But with the right image, it can really pop, B&W or color.

I've also used Legion Photo matte quite a bit. It's at least as smooth and
detailed as EEM, subjectively I'd say a bit more - the reason why I've used
it quire a bit. For non-archival work for a client or for my portfolio,
that's what I use, and recommend it highly. I've tried dozens more through
sampler packs, eBay "buys" and so on. But now try to stick with three or
four at most.

Clayton's characterization "Paper Chase" pretty much nails it - emphasis on
"chase". Try to find what does your images justice and stick with it.
Otherwise you wind up trying papers instead of making images.

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Poster [mailto:mposter@...]
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 1:11 PM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digital BW] Matte Papers



My first post here, though I've learned a lot, lurking.

I've been using Epson Enhanced Matte on a 2200 for 2 years. In fact, it's
the only paper I've ever used. Most of my work is color, but I do print BW
from time to time and some limited testing with QTR makes me think I'll be
buying that and printing more BW going forward.

I feel like I'm on the downhill side of the learning curve so I'm ready to
spend a bit more for paper than I have on the EEM. I was never completely
happy with EEM, but it worked reasonably well. At this point I want to at
least achieve same image quality as with EEM or, better still, exceed it.
At the same time, I'd like to feel more assurance that the prints will be
as permanent as the current state of the art allows.

After much reading I've developed a very short list of possibilities and
have played a bit with one of those so far: Moab Entrada Natural. The
warmish color put me off a bit at first, but the prints made using Moab's
canned profile are quite nice. I'm at the point of having a custom profile
made for this paper and just want to get some feedback on alternatives
before committing. I should say I'm no paper junkie. If at all possible I
want to find one something that works and stick with it.

I've read some good things about Hahnemuhle Rag, Premier Hot Press, Epson
Ultrasmooth, Museum Digital and the Moab. The HR is expensive for a guy
that's still throwing away more prints than not and the flaking issue
sounds irritating. The EU sounds great, but I have no interest in cutting
paper from rolls. The PHP is "identical" to EU according to some and it
sounds like a good paper. Inkjetart claims Museum Digital is identical to
EU as well.

So, as subjective as I know all this is, I'm looking for help in narrowing
the list. I'm not averse to testing myself, but it seems that in order to
do so I'd have to purchase the papers and have profiles made. This is more
work and expense than I'd like. I'm a bit apprehensive asking such a
subjective question, but I've read enough here to know that I'll have a
chance of beating some of this learning curve with your help. Is anyone
here willing to share their good or bad experiences with papers on my list?
Or, gulp, is there a paper I haven't considered, but should?

Michael




Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, and other resources as
they are often being updated.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint

If you wish to receive no emails or just a daily digest, or you wish to
unsubscribe, please edit your Membership preferences by visiting this same
page.

Please follow these basic guidelines:
- As threads develop, trim off excess portions of earlier messages to keep
them short.
- Good manners are required at all time. No personal attacks or flames.
Hostile, aggressive or argumentative users may be removed from the
membership without notice.
- Keep your posts and threads related to the group topic of digital B&W
printing. Users who persistently make off-topic posts may be removed from
the membership.
- By posting on this forum you agree to abide by the group rules and
guidelines, and to abide by the actions and decisions of the group Owner and
Moderators. See Group Topic, Rules and Guidelines in the Files section:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint/files/

BY PARTICIPATING IN AND/OR POSTING MESSAGES TO THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT
YAHOO! GROUP YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THE OWNER AND
MODERATORS OF DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU
FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY
DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS,
GOODWILL, USE, DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF THE  OWNER AND
MODERATORS OF DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES), RESULTING FROM: (i) THE USE OR THE INABILITY
TO USE THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP; (ii) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR
ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA; (iii) STATEMENTS OR CONDUCT OF ANY
THIRD PARTY ON THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP; OR (iv) ANY OTHER
MATTER RELATING TO THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP.

Yahoo! Groups Links







---
Incoming mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.796 / Virus Database: 540 - Release Date: 11/13/2004

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.796 / Virus Database: 540 - Release Date: 11/13/2004