Digital BW, The Print

Hi folks,

I got a problem -- one image that I want to print is quite compressed. 
You could see it here: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/santonov/152394862/. When I sent it to 
2200 with UT7 ink set through QTR, I see some tones are unpleasantly 
blocked. I have used Entrada curves when printing on Kayenta paper. My 
previous experience with that papers and QTR were quite positive -- I 
did get nice prints on Entrada and nive proofs on Kayenta. I suspect 
that it is my picture that causes compression. Could any one share 
some knowlegde about preprocessing the images that tend to be produce 
blocked printouts, if there is any possibility?

Thanks,
Sergei

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "santonov2you" 
<antonovsergei@...> wrote:
>
> Hi folks,
> 
> I got a problem -- one image that I want to print is quite 
compressed. 
> You could see it here: 
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/santonov/152394862/. When I sent it 
to 
> 2200 with UT7 ink set through QTR, I see some tones are 
unpleasantly 
> blocked. 

First off, great shot! I don't use a RIP, but when I have a print 
that 
is starting to block up in the shadows, I use a Levels Adjustment 
Layer. When adding the adjustment layer, go to the "Output" slider 
at the bottom and set the shadow at a number between 5 and 10. Since 
the print was trying to print that "absolute" zero black, backing 
off of that absolute gives the print/printer a little breathing 
room. To test this approach, I would recommend going to John Paul 
Caponigro's web site. He has a procedure that outlines how to do 
test proofs that use a minimum amount of ink & paper, 
http://www.johnpaulcaponigro.com/lib/downloads/index.php
go to "Techniques" and check out Bracket Proofing & Proof-Full 
Scale. Some pretty good stuff there.

John Paul also speaks to achieving "excellence, rather than 
prefection" in one's work. So that emotional impact and not 
necessarily the numbers move the work forward.

Hope this is of some help.

Jarvis Grant
Washington, DC