Digital BW, The Print

Duane,

> ... in regard to the lack of folks coming up with new
> paper curve/profiles to go with your curves. ...

> I am curious to know why a simple density curve applied prior to using
> your printing curves wouldn't easily set a picture up for a given
> paper. 

Yes, I think it will.  I think it works best when the 2 curves are set up as
curves layers and put on an small file as a curves set.  Then to print with
the curves, one simply drags the curves set to the image to be printed.  I
have a sample file that shows how this can be done.  What is important is
that the tone control curve be on top.

The unfortunate thing is that the combined RGB curve in the tone curves does
not work this way.  So, the extra linearization curve (which I'm thinking
can also be the monitor matching curve) needs to be a separate curve.  To
limit the loss of information, I think the layer set does this (as I
understand such things).


>... As I understand it, you have a curve set for
> printing EEM at the least in every workflow. If one prints your 21step
> scale on EEM as a visual in hand reference, all of the tonal
> relationships are there and known. It should be no pain to print the
> steps on a new paper and apply an 's' curve &/or bump up the lower
> values a bit to get separation to match the EEM print.

Due to the different ways that different papers absorb the inks, tones can
be altered by doing this.  As such, it is best to use a paper that is as
similar as possible.  However, there are usually enough different curves for
an inkset that one that is quite close can be found.


> 
> ... I would think that anyone who knows
> enough to work up a photograph to begin with can do the paper curve.

I think that most darkroom workers should be able to deal with monotone
curves.  Older partitioning curves and the variable-tone RGB curves get a
bit complex.  So, I've written a tutorial aimed at the monotone, grayscale
UT-FS (hextone CMCMY configuration) curves that I hope will be useful.  See
http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/Monotone_Curves.htm .  

The same basic concepts will apply to the "linearization" overlay curves
that go into the layer sets.  I will probably get around to writing up that
approach soon.

I'll send you off list the sample curves set I've been playing with.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com