Digital BW, The Print

I think this also has a lot to do with image tonality. Certainly
something like a still life on a black background or anything with
areas of solid K are going to definitely appear different, no
question. The prints we were comparing were clearly printed with a
high emphasis on the middle tones sitting just right, and detail
everywhere. This means only very small areas of full dmax. 
I also was not attempting to re-introduce the tired matte vrs glossy
issue, just describing an interesting experience with an unexpected
outcome.
I've heard from 3 or 4 big name (very) west coast silver printer
photographers that they "hate" platinum prints, the density range is
"inferior". Too bad, some of the most beautiful prints I've ever seen
are platinum, some of the deadest flat prints I've seen are platinum.
Some of the most beautiful prints I've seen are silver, some of the
harshest ugly prints I've seen are silver. I don't get the dogma, I
just don't get it. You'd think these people would know how to look at art.
Also, I've said it before, I didn't say the Turner blacks appeared as
dark as the gloss placks, I said the Turner prints were richer in
impression, and the blacks "felt" as black.
I realize some will have a lot of trouble with that kind of talk, all
I can say is that these decisions are the individual artist's and
these kinds of comparisions, with real prints not numbers, have to be
done by those interested in nailing down a personal materials preference.
Tyler

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Brian Chapman"
<brianechapman@...> wrote:
>
> I got my first box of the FibaPrint Gloss a couple days ago and in 
> comparing the same sample images visually with the other papers I've 
> been using (photo rag, william turner, german etching) it definately 
> has higher dmax.  
> 
> However, when viewed individually, where there isn't a comparison 
> print with higher dmax, the most important factor is what the viewer 
> perceives as black in the image.  Before I compared them (PR and 
> FibaPrint Gloss) side by side, I was pretty convinced that what I 
> was looking at on PR was deep black.  Obviously the FibaPrint Gloss 
> paper changed my perception in comparison but when I look at the 
> prints individually I still feel like I'm looking at black in the PR 
> print.  
> 
> I'm not trying to turn this in to a matte vs glossy debate so I'll 
> leave it there ;)
> 
> Brian
> http://www.brianchapmanphotography.com
> 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark" 
> <paul.roark@> wrote:
> >
> > 
> > > ... a few of us here had some SilverRag, FibaPrint Gloss, 
> > > Fine Art Pearl, air dried fiber selenium toned silver, and 
> > > quads on coated art papers all spread out here the other day.
> > 
> > > Guess which took the subjective edge in richness?
> > > That's right, the lowly 1.7 dmax quad inks on William Turner 
> prints.
> > 
> > I've also noticed that with such prints spread out on my desk, but 
> in better
> > display and lighting conditions the 2.2 dmax black makes the 1.7 
> look gray.
> > Luckily most display conditions are bad enough that I'll be able 
> to use my
> > matte paper for most printing.
> > 
> > Paul
> > www.PaulRoark.com
> >
>