Digital BW, The Print

Hello Djon,

>I'd like to simulate 2475 Recording Film grain with an inkjet.
>Any Photoshop or other suggestions?  
>I'm envisioning black-only.

I don't know what that film looks like, but I tried for a long time to
get the Tri-X look and never could.  There is not only the grain but
also whatever spectral sensitivity the film has.  

My opinion now, after almost 4 years at it, is that a perfect
replication can't be done.  You are exactly right in your other reply
re the grain tool: it's an effect, and not the film grain itself. 
That's all it can ever be, and therefore is unlikely to ever be
completely satisfactory.

On the other hand, once I finally accepted that I couldn't imitate
Tri-X and let go of my attachment to it, I realized that I can still
make beautiful prints, even if they don't match exactly the look of
what I was used to before.  In fact, I found a whole new range of
expression that I was missing because of my rigid adherence to my
Tri-X quest.  It's a whole new world, and I have at this point let go
of the past completely and am fully embracing digital.  I'm almost
done selling all my film gear.

As for BO printing, it has many fine qualities and is used by lots of
people.  Even though I am experimenting with UT7 ink and like it for
certain things, BO still remains my primary technique.  There are some
articles about it at the link below.

So just dive in there and go for it.  Try lots of thing and you'll
learn an enormous amount.  Over time your preferences will evolve and
your own new style will emerge.  It's great.

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm