Digital BW, The Print

Pete-

I think the ABW driver is worth using if only because the dithering 
and screening is different from the color mode.  I presume that this 
handles dot patterns and ink crossovers differently.  Certainly my 
experience trying to print BW images in the color mode of the Epson 
driver have shown the latter to be obviously inferior.  

If you are using the various tonal adjustment controls in the ABW 
driver, I do think that is a problem.  The ABW driver is a sort of 
combination RIP and image editing program and I wouldn't want to use 
the image editing component of this.  I think this driver is an 
effort to accomodate people who do not use PS or the like.  The one 
component I do use is the gamma setting, because the shadows are 
smoother in the normal or light positions.  Epson seems to like to 
compress the shadows for "punch."

I find that the screen image with a calibrated monitor (Gamma 2.2) is 
very close to the ABW output--so close that soft proofing is almost 
unnecessary.  I do however use the QTR Create ICC because it allows 
PS to manage both the file to screen and file to printer 
conversions.  This is an incredibly good workflow and much more 
accurate and reliable than anything one can do with PS curves.  The 
ouput is remarkably refined and delicate.  I tried the use of curves 
to avoid buying an i1 and it was O.K., but ultimately a big waste of 
time.  I then just went to a gamma 2.2 workflow (file, screen, 
printer) and it was good.  The BW ICC profiles are superb and much 
more flexible than the other options.

You didn't say anything about monitor calibration which made me think 
that you might be using the ABW "editing" controls or PS curve to 
match the print to an uncalibrated monitor.  Since monitor space 
really isn't what we want in a print (or can get in a print) this 
wouldn't be the way to go.

It's occurred to me that someone might provide standard or custom 
profiles for those using the 24/48/78/98 series printers using QTR 
Create ICC.  This could be done by including the $50 fee in the first 
purchase of a profile, that being given to Roy.  It would be worth 
every penny.

I hope all this hasn't been too obvious, but I didn't have a sense of 
your experience level. 

Good wishes,
Walt




--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "petexp2" 
<kafoozalem@b...> wrote:
>
> Is setting up to use ABW worth the bother? Having spent days to 
achieve 
> WYSIWYG for colour images why not just use these settings to 
produce 
> mono? I have taken great care to produce a neutral mono greyscale 
with 
> a smooth transition through a 21 step wedge as part of my tests. I 
have 
> developed a curves adjustment layer to apply to the image file to 
get 
> the gamma and shadow values spot on prior to sending to the printer 
so 
> I do not really need the gamma adjustments offered by ABW mode 
> (lighter,darker etc). 
> Any changes you make in ABW are previewed on a pathetically small 
> picture of Epson's choosing (nice lady but not really appropriate 
for a 
> landscape photographer). I would much rather preview in Photoshop 
where 
> I can apply colour tone as required and if I want to lower 
highlight 
> values to reduce bronzing I can do it without lowering the midtones 
too 
> (unlike highpoint shift). All the other sliders cannot be 
accurately 
> judged on the small preview picture meaning endless test prints to 
view 
> the changes. They also seem to presume you haven't achieved WYSIWYG 
> when viewing in PS.
> Am I missing something or has ABW got nothing going for it?
> 
> Pete.
>