Digital BW, The Print

This may apply only to users of Gamma 1.8 and 5000K color temp, which 
is how my monitor is calibrated. A while back I noticed a 
considerable difference in my prints which looked too dark for the 
image on the screen, so I simply made a curve to raise the midpoint 
of 127 to 145; which seemed to correct the difference. I posted a 
question here asking if anyone had noticed a similar condition if 
they worked in Gamma 2.2, and received many responses. Some were 
well intended but none answered my question; which was not very well 
formed by me. Today while looking through a book called "Photoshop 7 
Artistry-Mastering the Digital Image" by Barry Haynes and Wendy 
Crumpler, I came across my answer. It dealt with creating a custom 
RGB workspace to replace the Adobe 1998 RGB workspace. This is how it 
goes Edit>Color Settings>Working Space:RGB >Custom RGB>Gamma 
1.8>White Point 5000K (D50) Save as JohnnyRGB.

This has opened the shadows (Zone I-III) considerable and now the 
image prints as it is on the monitor without any need of a printing 
curve anymore. Now all my image work is done at Gamma 1.8 and 5000K 
color temp by default regardless if I'm in color or Black and White. 
I'm happy now and can go out and hunt some images. I finally was the 
high bidder on an X-Rite 810 densitometer which I think will help me 
make paper curves for the different paper/ink combinations I'll use.

Your friend in Photography,

Johnny