Digital BW, The Print

From:  Paul Roark
Ansel Adams' prints were often described as
"cool."

And yet, he himself described them as "purple sepia". I think the "cool"
moniker was helped by the fact that supposedly neutral (actually green) B&W
prints used for comparison made the selenium prints look more "cool" than
they really were.


What those of us here have been fighting is that carbon is usually warmer
than we'd like, but the third party color inks needed to cool them were not
well matched in their fade rates (and often just plain weak). Also, to
challenge the silver print and its assumed longevity, we needed the highest
carbon content possible.

I find this topic fascinating. I also don't understand why Epson hasn't
really bothered to consult B&W fine art photographers, at least not the
right ones. It would be so easy for them to make a full 100% carbon ink set,
with optional color toners, and sell a printer with that setup. B&W fine art
photographers went from hundreds of years longevity (silver) to dozens of
years (pigment color inks), virtually overnight. And Epson doesn't appear to
have a clue why they/we are upset. Color photographers got the best deal.
They got a doubling of longevity, instead of a quartering.

For me, the warmer carbon is a plus, not a minus. But I understand how
others would not be after that. I must admit also, that I really liked the
look of that first black only, Ebony print to drop out of my 1400.


Outside of the "western landscape" genre, I suspect a medium warm is the
preferred print tone. The sepia tone that you prefer is not what most
landscape photographers target.

I know. I am a recovering Ansel Adams clone. I have committed the sins of
giving up silver, printing on matte paper, printing very brown instead of
selenium, selling my spot meter. I don't use the Zone System at all any more
(hint; I have written so many magazine articles and done so much original
research on Zone System techniques that my TypeIt4Me file has an
abbreviation ("zsm") for "Zone System" so that I never have to type the
whole thing out. That abbreviation has been there for about 20 years!

I am certain Ansel rolls over in his grave when he hears my name and he
probably wishes he could rise from that grave for the sole purpose of giving
me a good slap!

David Kachel

___________________

Artist-Photographer
Fine B&W Photographs

www.davidkachel.com
david@...

Gallery:
www.reddoorfinephotographs.com
director@...

PO Box  1893
Alpine, TX 79831
(432) 386-5787




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