Digital BW, The Print

Yes I can see the "sheen" you talk about, which I would describe as 
a "milkiness" that reduces the impression of black.  Speaking of 
Hahnemuhle, Cary Grant once said that with a tuxedo one wore very 
dark blue socks, rather than black, because the blue ones had less 
sheen and looked darker.  

And what do you think of my speculation on the dmin and USFA?  I 
think the (relative) dinginess of the HPR makes the blacks look dingy 
too.

This all brings up the issue of *comparative* evaluations and how 
much weight should be given them.  Of the three top papers (for me), 
the HPR black problem is the only one that bothes me seen alone.  The 
USFA blacks look fine if I don't compare them side-by-side to the 
VFA.  

Also, I looked up White Velvet and apparently Hahnemuhle has stopped 
making it.  I gather you mostly use the Hahnemuhle papers.  Is that 
correct?  And what would you go to without the White Velevet?

Thanks,
Walt
  
--- In Dig
italBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Tyler Boley" <tyler@t...> 
wrote:
>
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "wwodets"
> <odets@c...> wrote:
> >
> > ...Finally, I am guessing the tonal performance of the VFA is 
partly 
> > a product of the texture, rather than incidental to it.  Perhaps 
the 
> > textured surface can hold more ink or reflects light 
differently. ..
> 
> Walt, I think you have something there. While I doubt the texture is
> actually responsible for better dmax in this instance ( I suspect 
VFA
> has a better coating), I have found it to increase that impression.
> Here, all of the Hahnemuhle papers have the same dmax (well, so 
close
> it's down to measurement error, or so close as to be visually the
> same) but the more textured surfaces seem to have blacker blacks 
than
> PhotoRag. I speculate this is because a smoother surface may begin 
to
> have a slight bit of actual though very diffuse reflection or sheen 
of
> the ambient light in the room. William Turner, German Etching, and
> White Velvet being more textured might break that up more. You know,
> like those good old Elvis velvet paintings.
> Anyway, the effect is slight, and dependent on the lighting in the
> room. Also, again, it's an impression not a measurable reality.
> By the way, I'm not sure White Velvet is getting the attention it
> deserves, very nice.
> Tyler
>