Digital BW, The Print

> Question for users of the MIS Variable-Tone inksets and Paul Roark's
> adjustment curves:
>
> One of the steps outlined by Paul and others on this list is "convert the
> image from grayscale to RGB."  Most of my work is restoration/copying of
> older photos.  Although I am merely a neophyte, I have read several sources
> to the effect that even though the original image may be B&W, I should SCAN
> and then WORK within Photoshop in RGB.  Prior to printing, the image should
> be turned into grayscale using the Photoshop Channel Mixer or selecting one
> of the R, G, B Channels, but not directly converting to grayscale.  Among
> the reasons this all-RGB workflow is espoused is that it potentially allows
> for selection of the "cleanest" of the R, G, and B channels, finer
> adjustments, better contrast and three dimensionality, etc.
>
> If, in fact, working the B&W image in an RGB space allows for the aforesaid
> benefits, then it seems to contradict the workflow of using MIS VT inks and
> Paul Roark's curves because if one of the steps is "convert the image from
> grayscale to RGB," then the image must have been in the grayscale workspace
> and not RGB, or such conversion would not have been necessary.
>
> Given the names of well-known, experienced users who contribute to this
> list, not to mention Paul Roark himself, I must be missing something.  Would
> one of the experienced MIS VT/Roark Curve users point out where in the
> workflow I am missing the boat.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Howard
>
>
> Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, Bookmarks, Polls and other resources as they are often being updated. The page is at:
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint
>
>
>
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> not carrying color information over to the final printing RGB.
> 
> Paul
> http://www.PaulRoark.com

> Jerry wrote:
>
> >It doesn't matter WHEN you convert to rgb,
> >the file just has to in that format when you print it.
> >You don't have to convert it first to grayscale!
>
> Jerry, I think this could be a problem in this context.  As I understand it
> the originals are old photos.  They often have some color, including
> yellowing, stains, etc.  As such, that color might affect the variable-tone
> allocation of inks, resulting in some weird tones or color casts.
>
> The recommendation to scan in RGB, even if the ultimate product is a B&W, is
> often to get as much bit-depth as possible.  This recommendation was
> commonly made some time ago when most scanners only had 8-bit B&W.  With
> higher-bit grayscale scanners, I think most would now recommend scanning in
> high bit g/s if the original is strictly a B&W.
>
> However, there may be another reason to scan in RGB for old photos.  The
> color information can help in eliminating the stains.
>
> In any case, I think you should go through a g/s stage to be sure you are
> not carrying color information over to the final printing RGB.
>
> Paul
> http://www.PaulRoark.com
>
>
> Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, Bookmarks, Polls and other resources as they are often being updated. The page is at:
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

> Paul,
>
> Could you simply stay in RGB and desaturate the image before printing?
>
> Martin
>
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Paul Roark"
> <paul.roark@v...> wrote:
> > Jerry wrote:
> >
> > >It doesn't matter WHEN you convert to rgb,
> > >the file just has to in that format when you print it.
> > >You don't have to convert it first to grayscale!
> >
> > Jerry, I think this could be a problem in this context.  As I
> understand it
> > the originals are old photos.  They often have some color, including
> > yellowing, stains, etc.  As such, that color might affect the
> variable-tone
> > allocation of inks, resulting in some weird tones or color casts.
> >
> > The recommendation to scan in RGB, even if the ultimate product is
> a B&W, is
> > often to get as much bit-depth as possible.  This recommendation was
> > commonly made some time ago when most scanners only had 8-bit B&W.
> With
> > higher-bit grayscale scanners, I think most would now recommend
> scanning in
> > high bit g/s if the original is strictly a B&W.
> >
> > However, there may be another reason to scan in RGB for old
> photos.  The
> > color information can help in eliminating the stains.
> >
> > In any case, I think you should go through a g/s stage to be sure
> you are
> > not carrying color information over to the final printing RGB.
> >
> > Paul
> > http://www.PaulRoark.com
>
>
> Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, Bookmarks, Polls and other resources as they are often being updated. The page is at:
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

> That's what I assumed would be done.
> 
> Jerry
> 
> 
> 
> Martin Wesley wrote:
> 
>> Paul,
>> 
>> Could you simply stay in RGB and desaturate the image before printing?
>> 
>> Martin
>> 
>> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Paul Roark"
>> <paul.roark@v...> wrote:
>>> Jerry wrote:
>>> 
>>>> It doesn't matter WHEN you convert to rgb,
>>>> the file just has to in that format when you print it.
>>>> You don't have to convert it first to grayscale!

> not carrying color information over to the final printing RGB.
>
> Paul
> http://www.PaulRoark.com