Digital BW, The Print

Okay, now that I am (finally) getting up a learning curve that I didn't know
existed, I have an other question.

I did a ABW QTR ICC profile using the "neutral" ABW mode. And then on a
later test print, I did see an improvement.

Now I wonder if if makes sense to create a separate profile for "warm",
"cool" (or any other custom) ABW mode?

Seems like the answer should be yes -- but do I wonder if when printing at
something other than "neutral" if this is inherently non-linear anyway and
an ICC profile would try to flatten things out resulting in the (some?) loss
of the toned affect.

If the above it true then any ABW print should be made using the neutral ICC
profile and driver would work off of that to create the toned affect.

Can someone set me straight?

Dave.

-- 
Portfolio: www.david-keenan.com/portfolio
Web Site: www.david-keenan.com
2007 PAW: www.david-keenan.com/paw


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

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "David Keenan"
<ausdlk@...> wrote:
...
> Now I wonder if if makes sense to create a separate profile for "warm",
> "cool" (or any other custom) ABW mode?

yes, it does

> 
> Seems like the answer should be yes -- but do I wonder if when
printing at
> something other than "neutral" if this is inherently non-linear
anyway and
> an ICC profile would try to flatten things out resulting in the
(some?) loss
> of the toned affect.

no, because there is no way to effect the ABW driver's print color by
altering the data sent to it, only by changing it's settings directly.
Linearity is a different matter as you've discovered.

> 
> If the above it true then any ABW print should be made using the
neutral ICC
> profile and driver would work off of that to create the toned affect.

no, because Epson didn't necessarily do a wonderful job retaining the
exact same linearity out when changing hue settings. I believe some
testing by users here when it first came out verified that.
Tyler

David Keenan wrote:

> Now I wonder if if makes sense to create a separate profile for "warm",
> "cool" (or any other custom) ABW mode?

It makes sense as the ABW tone range shifts with color 
toning added. For that reason some will use say 3-4 
profiles, each for a different color tone. The softproof of 
each represents the color of the print too. Usually this 
represents more or less how prints in the old darkroom were 
used and one kept the color choices to a minimum.

As I print for others I'm not so happy with that restricted 
choice. I want to keep the flexibility of the ABW system + 
keep profiling. I have the neutral profile (HP Z3100 with 
its neutral black ink range) but have to make an average 
profile for mild color toning. Best method will be to print 
several targets and average them like the 4x21 random step 
target can be averaged. Strip the reading of its a b 
components and use that as a tone range control for not too 
excessive color toning. I know that that will be a 
compromise. It will not have the color softproof either but 
it gives some freedom in selecting color.

> Can someone set me straight?



-- 
Met vriendelijke groeten,Ernst


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