Digital BW, The Print

Hi everyone, and thanks again, Clayton, for working out the variable
tone workflow for the R220.

A question for Clayton or anyone w/ experience with this setup:

I have been getting interesting, and sometimes pleasing, results by
working with files in RGB color mode and "toning" them in software to
print on an R220 with Clayton's suggested mix of warm and neutral UTR2
inks, except with a warm Y.

This promises to work better for my particular situation and needs
than does Clayton's slider-based toning workflow. The advantages I am
looking forward to are: easily saving toning info w/o dealing with
adjustment curves or notes, kind-a-sort-a-WYSIWIG plus fine control if
needed via R-G-B values, and potentially easy split-toning.

The question: what are the disadvantages doing it this way? I don't
see any reason why output quality would be any less in RGB vs
greyscale, but I don't know enough be sure. There must be other
considerations I've overlooked.

Thanks,
Bob L

Bob,

That sounds interesting, let us know how it works out. I've been using
an R220 for a couple of weeks now with BO printing and MIS Eboni. If I
print while the image is in grayscale the shadows are definitely more
blocked up than if I print in RGB. My RGB prints look like the image
on my CRT. 

Scott

> I don't
> see any reason why output quality would be any less in RGB vs
> greyscale, but I don't know enough be sure. 
> 
> Thanks,
> Bob L
>

That's interesting, too, Scott. Is this with gamma set to 1.8 in your
driver?

I'd like try BO with Ebony. I'm not sure how much inkjet printing I'll
be doing the next couple of months, though, as I'm taking a wet
printing class. I'm a relative beginner in the darkroom, as I am with
digital printing, but I have found that learning more about either
environment helps me understand the other.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Bob L

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "scottkathe1"
<scott.kathe@...> wrote:

>
> Bob,
> 
> That sounds interesting, let us know how it works out. I've been using
> an R220 for a couple of weeks now with BO printing and MIS Eboni. If I
> print while the image is in grayscale the shadows are definitely more
> blocked up than if I print in RGB. My RGB prints look like the image
> on my CRT. 
> 
> Scott
>

Hi Bob,

I should have mentioned that I had the gamma set to 1.8 and there were
no adjustments to the brightness, contrast, saturation and all other
sliders. High speed printing off. BO printing, heavyweight matte paper
setting, printing on EEM. I have the warm full inkset, but it is too
warm for my taste. I've thought about getting the neutral inkset
and/or trying Clayton's variable tone printing but I'm quite happy for
now with BO printing. My 4 ounces of Eboni ink shipped today with a
chip resetter and the other goodies I need for refilling. I better get
some more paper;)

I am a beginner with inkjet printing and maybe an advanced beginner in
the traditional-wet darkroom. I've found that making good prints takes
time no matter how you do it and I'm still waiting for the day I make
a great print;)

Scott