Digital BW, The Print

Paul, Steve, Duane, Carolyn, Tyler, et al,

I have followed this thread with interest and have a few comments to
add.

First, Paul, your method using two curves sounds very much like my
approach, although it seems like doing it the hard way.  I just let PS
do the work for me. When using grayscale mode, when the Printer
profile is Same As Source it applies exactly the opposite of whatever
the front end profile is doing, so that no matter what is assigned to
the image it makes no difference to the print.  This allows easily
changing the monitor to closely match the print (I think everyone
agrees that there will never be a perfect match).  The actual
workspace profile used may be different, depending on monitor,
graphics card, etc. Is this essentially the same thing as you are
doing or did I miss it?  I also did get your point about wanting to
find an easy non-PS path for ordinary folks, so perhaps the twin curve
approach is for that...

I have found that a custom 18% DG curve works great for me.  I
assigned it to the Gray Working Space in the Color Settings window and
it is the default work space for every image converted to grayscale. 
I have excellent WYSIWYG and I hardly ever think about this stuff, I
just think "photography".  I work up the images and send them out to
the printer, and it works equally well with BO and UT7.

As for the broader subject, it seems that all of this lengthy
discussion boils down to you either change the screen to match the
print and get on with it, or you take the calibration approach which
requires some expense, twiddling and mind warping.  The former is fine
if you're working in a "closed system", as I think Carolyn put it, but
the latter is required for professional work where images must have
consistent output on various systems.  IMO each is equally valid,
depending on the point of view.

Duane, you put it very nicely in your intelligent and balanced "tea or
coffee" post (thanks for that).  For the record, anyone who has
actually read and given thought to my articles and forum posts will
know that I have never said that BO and/or my workflow is the best way
to do things.  All I have ever said is that it is simple, easy,
remarkably effective, and a great way to get started.  Some people are
technically inclined, others aren't.  Those who are not satisfied with
the BO and/or CJworkflow approach will move on to other things when
they are ready (with some good practical experience to take with
them).  Some (actually many) people find it a very comfortable,
effective and satisfying way to work.

Steve, I must confess that I am of the non-technical inclination, and
my eyes glaze over when I read your posts.  I respect your level of
knowledge, but also recognize that I simply have neither the time nor
inclination to go that route.  After over a year of frustration and
experiments I arrived at the understanding and methods I describe in
the articles.  They allow me to work quickly, intuitively, and
effectively, without all the fuss and bother, and I am busy living
happily ever after, making and selling lots of prints which
regularly bring comments about their beauty, etc.  I also regularly
get email from other happy users thanking me for showing them a way
that works for them.  So I hope that as much as you want others to
understand your point of view, that you will also recognize that
simply changing the monitor to match the print and getting on with the
work of photography is a perfectable suitable approach for many
people.

You also mentioned the fact that I recommend an Epson driver gamma
setting of 1.8, and you think it should be 2.2.  I cannot answer to
this in theoretical terms which might satisfy you.  All I can say is
that I'm a practical realist.  I tried both, and found that 1.8
allowed more easily attainable WYSIWYG using the method I describe.

Tyler, just wanted to say thanks for your always thoughtful comments.

A great thread folks!


Regards,
Clayton


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