Digital BW, The Print

Hello Scott,

><cj@c...> wrote: "Perhaps as a group we have lost our
>collective memory of what BW emulsion prints looked like."

>I am not so sure we have EVER been looking at "pure" black tones in 
>our traditional printing....

I think you are misinterpreting what I said, I was not referring only
to black prints.  If you read it again you will see that I also
referred to sepia prints, and described the various tones from neutral
to very warm that I get using BO.  What I was trying to say (I'll try
again, this is about the 4th time) is that the tones we get using
color inks don't look like the various color tones we get with
emulsion prints.  Look closely at a supposedly neutral print (neutral
means black, not blue or green or anything else) and you see all sorts
of subtle colors.  You don't see black that looks like the black of a
cold tone silver paper (or whatever other tone is being imitated), you
see imitation black with all sorts of tints floating around in it.  If
that doesn't bother you, then fine.  But print Eboni BO on Kayenta and
you won't see those colors. I'm spoiled I guess.  The same for sepia.
 I have yet to see an inkjet "sepia" print that looks anything like a
real sepia print.  I have only seen unconvincing fake sepia and to me
it looks horrible.  

I agree that in many ways our IJ prints are better.  But on this
particular issue I find the mixing of color inks very unsatisfying. 
I'm waiting and hoping for something better.

Here's another analogy.  Walk into Office Depot and you'll see a wide
range of nice looking office furniture.  It's all made of particle
board covered with veneers and bolted together with various fasteners.
It all looks real nice, the technology has come a long way.  This
stuff is ubiquitous, and we all accept it.  It performs a real need
for nice looking furniture that is relatively inexpensive, reduces
hardwood tree usage and other good stuff.  It's a real boon and
satisfies the masses. There's nothing wrong with it. But anyone who
has done woodwork or knows fine furniture isn't fooled by it for a
second. Those who appreciate the difference and can afford it have the
real thing.  The imitation stuff is fine as long as you don't examine
it too closely.


Regards,
Clayton


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