Digital BW, The Print

Hi all,

 

I’ve been showing around some prints from the 2100/2200, looking for
feedback. These prints were both on matte paper (Epson Archival Matte,
Hahnemuhle Torchon, Photo Rag and William Turner) as well as semi-gloss
(Epson SemiGloss Premium, Mitsubishi semigloss and Ilford Galerie Perl). I
find the available glossy paper too “RC-ish” for my taste – In the darkroom
I print FB glossy air-dried.

 

Ideally, I would love to find an inkjet paper that most resembles the look,
touch and feel of FB paper (Ilford). For the moment the closest I got is
with Ilford Perl and Mitsubishi semigloss.

 

I liked the Hahnemuhle Torchon a lot, but I think this specialty paper
doesn’t “work” with all subjects/projects; I’m planning on using it for some
colour work, to achieve a “watercoloury” effect.

I liked the texture and feel of William Turner paper as well, but I think it
lacks a certain “punch” to be used as my everyday paper… But I will
certainly be using it for some projects where the “punch” isn’t really
required.

 

So… I showed some prints to friends and relatives (non-photographers) and
they ALL thought that matte papers look “inkjettish”, non-photographic. Most
people seem to be used to glossy papers as a photo standard. (if it doesn’t
bronze, it isn’t a photo!)  Are you people having the same kind of feedback?

 

After all, people don’t really care if paper A is more “fine-art” and
expensive than paper B and they shouldn’t… Their feedback is valuable
exactly because they don’t know this!

 

Ultimately, it is the artist’s choice the kind of medium he/she’ll be using
– but what’s your experience regarding the feedback you receive from
non-photographers? Do they always say: I prefer your darkroom stuff?

 

Thank you for your time.

 

José Miguel Ferreira

T: (+41) 076 472 09 15

 <http://www.jmf-photo.net> http://www.jmf-photo.net

 



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