Digital BW, The Print

I am just starting to switch from my old darkroom to a digital 
darkroom.  I have several books on the matter including The Digital 
Photolab, Advanced Black and White Techniques using Photoshop by 
George Schaub.  I am using Photoshop 7 and an Epson 2200.  Some 
prints have come out better than expected for first trys with no 
really manipulation.  Others have been flops and look very washed 
out.  When I pump up the contrast or go to levels I then loose 
detail.  I know that more work in Photoshop would solve some of 
this.  However, I showed this print to one person and he strongly 
suggested 2 things - ImagePrint RIP and color balancing my monitor 
with Spyder.  He seemed to know and he even suggested I join this 
Group.  However, another person to teaches photoshop had already told 
me that a RIP was a waste of money and that I was nuts to balance my 
monitor.  I have the $750 if I need to purchase this stuff to get a 
fine art print (or to get a fine art print faster).  However, I have 
no desire to spend money needlessly.  Can anyone give me some 
perspective?  Going digital for me is only worth it if I can come 
darn close to my B&W prints on Ilford or Brilliant paper.  I have 
seen prints that I thought have done just that.  My hope would be to 
take about 30 of my current pieces and print them digitally for a 
show this summer.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks, Rob

Rob:

1. Monitor calibration: In my view this is essential if you want to 
print in color. If you are only going to print in B&W it is desirable 
but not necessary.

2. ImagePrint: I think that using ImagePrint is the best way to go if 
you want good, neutral B&W prints from the 2200. I also like the 
ImagePrint "Tint Picker" which allows subtle tinting of prints.

But you should realize that, in order to go digital, you need to make a 
substantial investment of time in learning to work effectively with 
PhotoShop.

You haven't stated which scanner you are using. A good scanner is also 
important.

--Mitch/Potomac, MD

Mitch:

Thanks for the info.  Yes, I know that there will be a lot of time 
needed on photoshop.  I have fiddled with it over the years so I have 
a fair understanding of how little I know and how much I have to 
learn.  As well, my day job is as an architect and I am a power 
AutoCad user.  So, I figure one way or another I will get photoshop 
under my belt.

As for my scanner, it is the weekest link in the chain.  Everyone 
might roll there eyes as to how dumb that is, but I had to start 
somewhere.  That somewhere was about 6 months ago when I bought a 
scanner for my home use.  I figured what the heck, might as well get 
one that can handle negatives as well.  Microtek's ScanMaker 5900 was 
well rated (realitively speaking), under $200 and could scan 4x5 
negatives.  On a lark I threw on one of my 6x7 negatives and was 
shocked at how good it looked on my cheap HP.  So, that started the 
journey.  I figured that I am going to get good at photoshop and 
printing before I change the scanner.  Right now what is killing my 
prints is not the detail in the scan but my ability to work in 
photoshop and know how to really make use of my Epson 2200. It 
wouldn't surprise me if I found the need for a better scanner soon.  
On the other hand, I have been impressed in what I have seen my 
scanner do, the novcie that I am.  My mind is just boggled to think 
of spending $6000 let alone $30,000 on a drum scanner which was one 
post I read in the archives.

That being said, if I need to go for a scanner upgrade, what kind of 
scanner should I be looking at?  I shoot a Pentax67 so my scanner is 
going to need to handle 120 film.

Thanks for the help, this novice greatly appreciates it.

Rob


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Mitch Alland 
<malland@x> wrote:
> Rob:
> 
> 1. Monitor calibration: In my view this is essential if you want to 
> print in color. If you are only going to print in B&W it is 
desirable 
> but not necessary.
> 
> 2. ImagePrint: I think that using ImagePrint is the best way to go 
if 
> you want good, neutral B&W prints from the 2200. I also like the 
> ImagePrint "Tint Picker" which allows subtle tinting of prints.
> 
> But you should realize that, in order to go digital, you need to 
make a 
> substantial investment of time in learning to work effectively with 
> PhotoShop.
> 
> You haven't stated which scanner you are using. A good scanner is 
also 

> important.
> 
> --Mitch/Potomac, MD