Digital BW, The Print

Hello Eugene,

>My experience has taught me that you either rely on our eyes or you 
>rely on the numbers...
>...unplug the color management system and fly the plane yourself.  
>...After trying to learn how to fly the Boeing 747 using auto pilot,  
>I am now interested in finding out how to fly a spit-fire manually...

I appreciate your remarks.  You have found a nice way to sum up the
experience that many have had and I like the flying metaphors.  I've
been at this over 5 years now.  In the beginning I tried doing things
as many recommended in this forum and became frustrated to the point
of dispair and considered quitting.  Then I discovered the simple
stick-and-rudder-center-the-ball approach using the Black Only
technique and made that my home base for several years, all the while
learning and trying various new things that came along, looking for
the holy grail. 

I'm currently using a 2400 with K3/ABW and am still happy with the
stick and rudder non color managed approach.  I use a custom dot gain
curve for grayscale image profiles which provides decent WYSIWYG and
find I can work very efficiently.  Like you, all my darkroom instincts
have transferred over and I very much enjoy working this way.

Not everyone has the temperament and/or inclination for the high tech
approach, and for someone doing their own work for their own purposes
it's a great way to fly.  My workflow is outlined in detail in article
#9 at the link below.  Thanks for the nice post.


Regards,
Clayton


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