Digital BW, The Print

I want to start pursuing digital black and white photography.  Some
software allows for very precise calibration of monitors, specifying
color space, managing hardware profiles for both the computer and
printers.  Most of that seems very important for color work but how
important these issues for black and white?  I'm using 'the gimp'
which doesn't really allow for profiles, color space managment,etc.

Chris--

Welcome!

I don't think profiles are important for B+W. I have fooled around a 
bit with the GIMP for B+W, and if you use the MIS inks and Paul 
Roark's curves (which can be translated to GIMP format), I think 
there is a completely open source digital B+W solution. If you are 
running Linux, you may be able to get a version of Roy Harrington's 
Quadtone RIP, which is shareware for Mac/PC, but i believe 
freeware for Linux (i was never able to get it running properly under 
linux.

-matt

> I want to start pursuing digital black and white photography....
--
Matt Haber
dance, portrait and fashion photography
http://www.matthaber.com



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> From: Chris
>
> I want to start pursuing digital black and white photography.  Some
> software allows for very precise calibration of monitors, specifying
> color space, managing hardware profiles for both the computer and
> printers.  Most of that seems very important for color work but how
> important these issues for black and white?  I'm using 'the gimp'
> which doesn't really allow for profiles, color space managment,etc.

I would say that it's still pretty important to calibrate your monitor, just
to get the shadow detail right. Of course, a lot of issues cease to be
issues with B&W, like which color space to use.

--

Ciao,               Paul D. DeRocco
Paul                mailto:pderocco@...