Digital BW, The Print

> From: odesmais <odesmais@...>

> Now how do you advise to soft proofing : from say the grey file G2.2.
> I should go of course display->soft-proof (this is a translation of a
> French PS) and go perceptual BPC on, and white paper on

Yes

>(which also 
> turns black in on unless wrong)

No it doesn't.  Take a look.

>in the small soft proofing setting
> window ? Edit from there and ultimately convert to the QTR ICC
> profile before the printing.

Personally I would work up your image WITHOUT the proof and have that be
your master - only converting or adjusting the image for the paper profile
just prior to printing (if at all).  To be honest the soft proof isn't going
to tell you much.  By far the largest issue is the different black point
(when printing to matte paper) and the QTR ICC profile will not allow you to
soft proof for that as we have discussed.  Take a look for yourself.  If you
do want a rough soft proof of the lighter black take a peak with the generic
QTR matte profile. 


> 
> Does this make sense ?
> 
> Also, I tried to edit the dark end of the curve in PS

What "curve"?


>: this is 
> really a nasty piece of work, the 90-100% is hell !!! Is there any
> way to deblock shadows except harsh editing ? The only other thing I
> found was to assign my grey G2.2 file with an dot15% profile, convert
> it to QTR ICC and then apply a curve remapping 50 at 50 (well
> plotting 38 at 50 in a PS curve)and 60 at 78 . I haven't printed yet
> to see real results. But does this sound stupid ?


I would echo Roy's comments that you should not get too wound up in the L*
figures.  For any ACTUAL image, you can open up the shadows with a curve if
need be.  I do though think it would be nicer to be able to see on screen
the lower black and the effect of the BPC in order to check if such
adjustment is necessary.  This is something Roy and I have debated.  He
quite rightly points out that BPC has to be done - it is just a matter of
whether the ICC profile does it or PS.  At the end of the day, though, the
best soft proof is a print - except that it is not dynamic and real-time
reflection as you make edits and adjustments.