Digital BW, The Print

Just finished printing 4 different B/W images on this paper. Printed
with an Epson 7800, K3 inks, Advanced B/W mode, 1440 dpi, paper set
for Epson Premium Glossy (250).

The gloss and surface of this paper is indistinguishable (to my eyes)
from my wet darkroom Ilford Multigrade IV prints.  The paper is a
slightly cooler white than my traditional prints but warmer than Epson
Premium Glossy  (now called "Premium Photo Paper Glossy").  It is
noticeably less glossy than the Epson inkjet paper. 

I don't have a way to make quantitative comparisons but a visual
comparison among the 4 Glossy Harman FB AI prints and 4 Epson Premium
Glossy prints indicates they are very very similar in terms of
contrast, max blacks and white tonal range and transitions and image
detail.

Both the Epson and Harman glossy papers have the same minor gloss
differential (shows up in the clouds and white water in my landscape
photos).  In diffuse lighting (vs. harsh specular lighting the GD is
not noticeable in either paper).

Application of PremierArt Shield is very effective in removing any GD
from either paper.  However, based on one try so far, it is probably
easier to get a smooth coat on the Harman paper (less liklihood to get
blotches or streaks).

I suspect dry mounting the thicker Harman paper will be somewhat
easier compared to Epson Premier Glossy (i.e. less likely to show a
slight orange peel effect)

I think most people would prefer the thicker and more 'artistic'
tactile feel of the Harman paper over Epson Premium Glossy.  I do.

... and here's where I will probably loose a lot of readers... I
prefer the Epson Premium Glossy over the Harman FB glossy.  I try to
shoot and print dramatic landscapes, I like contrast (but always want
to retain subtle shadow and highlight detail)... both papers allow
this, but the whiter (cooler) Epson whites and the glossier surface
are more attractive to me. I mat and frame my prints without glass;
tactile paper feel is not a concern.  Having spent over 20 years
making air dried, selenium toned glossy fiber based prints that were
never quite glossy enough for me I am probably coming from a different
place than many who are currently trying to achieve the darkroom paper
look.

In summary, the Harman paper is a fine paper but at this time it
doesn't really work for me.  If you are intrigued give it a try!
YMMV.

Ken






 

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "flyflightdeck"
<cloudswimmer@...> wrote:
>
> Heard some good things about it over at
> largeformatphotography.info.Wondering if anyone in this group has
> tried it.Here is the quote Jack Flesher wrote about it over there.
> 
> "My friend Jim Collum called me a few days ago and said, "Jack, you
> need to try this new paper now!"
> 
> The paper is the new Harman Inkjet "Gloss FB AL." So I went to my
> local shop, picked up a box yesterday and set to profiling it for my
> Epson 3800.
> 
> The first thing you notice is the paper's surface -- identical to
> air-dried fiber-base silver, with a slight egg-shell finish and soft
> gloss. Sweet. Next thing you notice is this paper even smells like
> traditional silver paper. (Seriously!) Finally, it has a slightly warm
> white base.
> 
> This paper is thick and also swells when the ink hits it, so I needed
> to set my paper thickness up a notch (4 on the 3800 driver) and
> platten gap to "wide" to avoid head-strikes on the wet surface. Once
> all that was settled I printed the profiling targets, let it dry down
> over-night and built the profile this morning.
> 
> I am now sitting here admiring my standard large paper evaluation
> print -- a color test image (available for download at digital outback
> photo), and a long tonal range B&W image, doubled up and printed
> together on a single 13x19 sheet.
> 
> As for B&W, in the black patches I can distinguish patch 4 (4/4/4 rgb)
> from 0 and 6, and in the white patches I can distinguish 253 from 255
> and 252. (I can sense 254 is different from the surrounds, but can't
> really "see" it as its own tone.) Anyway, this is incredible tonal
> range, and of course is all present in the B&W image -- pure, deep
> blacks with outstanding shadow detail all the way through to
> delicately detailed highlights. Amazing.
> 
> As for color, I was frankly surprised -- it is excellent too. There is
> a specific image of strawberries in the color test print that
> reproduce to the most delicious I've seen from any paper yet All other
> colors are exceptionally well represented too, including a blue sky
> gradient, foliage yellows and greens and a difficult metallic bronze.
> 
> Now for the better news: There is NO gloss differential and NO visible
> metamerism anywhere on the print!
> 
> Lastly, the "AL" in the paper name stands for "alumina," a reference
> to the fact there is aluminum in the substrate -- ostensibly it's
> there to emulate the slight metallic "glow" present in a
> silver-gelatin print. And yes, I saved the best news for last, they
> accomplished that feat. There is indeed a subtle metallic glow that
> adds traditional silver depth to the final print.
> 
> This is amazing stuff folks; I have found my paper."
> 
> More info here: http://www.harman-inkjet.com/pressroom/article.asp?n=63
>