Digital BW, The Print

Hello Rem,

>I have experimented with a number of BW conversion methods, but
>regardless of the method, is it desirable to finally save the 
>image as a mode>grayscale rather than mode>RGB? If so, why?

In my experiments I found no significant difference in the quality of
the print when printing as RGB vs Grayscale, and I prefer the
grayscale workflow.  So in order to save space and avoid the
inconvenience of temporarily converting every time I want to print, I
save the file as grayscale after Color2BW conversion.  Negs are
scanned as grayscale.   

On a complex project I often save several files at progressive stages
during the work, as I sometimes will go back a stage and do something
different.  But once I'm satisfied with the final version I erase the
others.  Even in grayscale, with all the layers and alpha channels
they can easily be over 100mg each.

I always save the original RAW file (or neg scan), and also keep
detailed notes as I work, so I have a "recipe" to follow (or change)
if I ever want to go back and start over.  In real life the only times
I have reworked a file is in the case of some of my early attempts,
from when my PS skills were not as good as they are now.


Regards,
Clayton


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