Digital BW, The Print

On Jan 10, 2008, at 8:28 AM, pr_roark wrote:

> Let me be clear that I hope others join me in exploring the  
> possibility
> of a darkroom style carbon ink mixing approach.

I'm with you!

My old 7500 has been gathering dust here for a while, and needs a  
thorough cleaning and workover.  Once that's done, though, I'm looking  
forward to trying out some of these techniques.

I've been using inkjet for photo printing for over a decade.  It's  
wonderful that the latest Epson/Canon/HP printers/inks/papers have  
reached a level where excellent color & monochrome prints are doable  
without the hassles we all used to go through.  At the same time, I  
dislike the attitude of consumerism, mass-production, and idealistic  
perfection.

Just like photographers are rediscovering film and alternative process  
printing, it's about time that inkjet-oriented photographers develop  
alternative methods that can be worked with the artistic process (eg,  
by hand).  I had a great time recently producing a set of images that  
were printed on InkAid-coated washi (rice) paper, and mounted on a  
clear mylar backing, to be hung against a sunny window for  
backlighting.  The inkjet printing itself was such a tiny part of the  
overall process, and it felt good to be doing so much with my hands  
besides clicking the mouse. ;)

Speaking of process, could you explain your physical setup of your  
testing environment?  In your whitepapers, you've explained a bit  
about testing density, etc.  I'm curious how you actually mix and load  
these inks into your printers.  Do you use funnel carts?  CIS  
systems?  Something else?  How do you clear out one test ink in  
preparation for another?  How do you handle the waste ink?

--John