Digital BW, The Print

>... the issue of "deep black" Dmax.
>I think you hit it right on the head, about inkjet printers...

My latest Epson Premium Semimatte ("PSM") prints have a dmax and dynamic
range that exceed the traditional B&W silver print by a significant margin.


I spray these with PremierArt Print Shield and dry mount them.  I think the
finish is very competitive with my air-dried fiber prints.

However, due to the spray, these have a washable surface (unlike a silver
print in my experience).   So, I'm experimenting with framing with no glass.
This eliminates the reflections and makes the entire dynamic range much more
accessible.  I think this is the best B&W medium I've seen.

So, I think matte paper is a major source of the problem.  It's not digital
or "carbon" printing, per se, that is the source of the low dmax.

The latest "barrier papers" (also known as "RC" prints) can hit between 2.3
and 2.5 dmax.  Silver in the lab hit 2.2, but in most of my real world
prints the dmax was about 1.9.  

I never liked the old RC silver prints.  But these latest inkjet materials,
when sprayed (or maybe "Glopped") have a very nice finish.  I especially
like the Semimatte finish.  It's not the old RC.

Another persuasive factor for me was is the Wilhelm ">200 years" rating to
the Epson Premium Semimatte, Semigloss & Luster papers.

With the barrier (polyethylene) in the back and the lacquer spray in the
front, these pigments are "encapsulated," offering some significant
protection from environmental hazards (abrasion, water, fingerprints, UV,
perhaps pollutants). 

Seeing is believing.  Try some or ...

I'll be hanging two 22x28, unglazed prints (and some other matte-under-glass
prints) in the local Gallery Los Olivos' "New Perspectives" show next month
(Feb. 2005).  I hope some forum members within easy driving distance will be
able to come by and see what these "encapsulated carbon" prints can do.  I
think silver has met its match.

So, back to the subject line, I think an increasingly large part of the way
forward requires glossy-compatible inks.

By the way, the Gallery Los Olivos reception on Feb. 5, from 2-4, is open to
all and all are invited.  Additionally I sit at the gallery Feb. 3.  Hope to
see a few of you.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com