Digital BW, The Print

Steve,

I've been using Arches Infinity for a few months and I like it.  I have not
had any flaking problems and even though I had read some comments regarding
the fragility of the surface, I have not had any problems with image
scuffing.  (But I am pretty careful and I do brush the surface and spray
with compressed air before loading in the printer.)

I've used both the 355 gsm and 230 gsm smooth paper.  The 355 is really
thick and perhaps a bit too much so, although it does make a great
impression.

Recently I have been using the 230 gsm 13x19 exclusively.  Full sheets for
11x14 images and for 8x10s, I have just been cutting 13x19 in half to 9.5 x
13.  For me, that is more economical than larger paper sizes and gives me a
bit more room on the page than an 8.5 x 11 for an 8x10 image.

The color of the paper is kind of a creamy white.  I don't think this paper
has any optical brighteners.  I'm getting good images with good shadow
separation using the QTR PFA curves.  (Although I am pretty new at this
myself so I am far from an expert.)

The smooth paper has a small amount of texture but less so than HPR.
Overall I am happy with this selection and I am sticking with Arches
Infinity for now.  The best prices seem to be at BH Photovideo in NYC
(available by mail order of course).

I'm participating in my first print exchange in March, so hopefully I will
get some feedback from others on my paper selection and what they think
about it...

Paul

> -----Original Message-----
> From: steveh0607 [mailto:steveh060758@...]
> Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 3:55 AM
> To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Digital BW] Paper for black and white prints
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Hello Everyone,
> 
> I'm new to digital black and white photography - I was never very good in
> wet darkrooms
> so hooray for photoshop! - and I'm still trying to find the right paper
> for black and white
> prints. Oh, I have the Epson 2200.
> 
> I've tried Hanhemule (most varieties) and although I like it, it flakes. I
> also like Epson's
> Velvet Fine Art, but I've read it has brighteners that may yellow with
> age. Museo has good
> midtone gradations, but lacks a good contrast punch (at least it seems
> that way to me).
> 
> What can the list tell me about Arches Infinity paper?
> 
> ps. Experimenting with paper is starting to get expensive!
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Steve
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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