Digital BW, The Print

This stuff looks like Ilford Smooth Pearl in terms of gloss.  I'd prefer a
much more matte version.  The fact that it feels stiffer and heavier is
worth zip once it's framed.


> From: chipcarterdc <chipcarterdc@...>
> Reply-To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 14:51:53 -0000
> To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [Digital BW] Re: Museo Silver Rag impressions
> 
> Back on topic, below is the email I just sent to Crane's with my initial
> impressions of Silver
> Rag printed on my Epson 98000 w. Pghhoto Black:
> 
> "I have just printed some Silver Rag yesterday on my Epson 9800 with Photo
> Black ink and 
> the prints look spectacular.  I obviously need to consider them some more (I'm
> going to 
> look at the prints again today after they're fully dried), but my initial
> reaction is that this
> paper is fabulous.
> 
> My only concerns are that (a) it's a bit too glossy and (b) it's a bit too
> textured.  Put 
> together, the high gloss and texture create obtrusive reflectivity when the
> print is viewed 
> at any angle other than flat on a table or flat against a wall.  In other
> words, if the paper is
> tilted at all (and I don't mean severely titled -- just any position that's
> not perfectly flat),
> or if the light is coming at the paper from an oblique angle, the
> glossiness/reflectivity
> becomes obtrusive and obscures the details.  So, my initial gut reaction is to
> suggest that 
> Crane cut the current "gloss" (currently more like an RC darkroom paper) down
> to a 
> "sheen" (more like a air-dried fiber darkroom print) and minimize the texture
> a bit.  (I 
> don't think the texture should be eliminated, however -- the texture gives
> this paper a 
> unique appearance.  But to truly be closer to an air-dried fiber print, the
> textured should 
> be lessened somewhat).  Keep in mind, though, that the image I was printing
> for the 
> samples was a B&W portrait will large areas of black (i.e., a
> head-and-shoulders portrait
> against a black background), so I imagine that that may have something to do
> with the 
> obtrusive gloss when viewed in any position other than perfectly flat.
> 
> If the "obtrusive reflectivity when hit by oblique light" issue can be
> minimized, Silver Rag
> will quickly become my primary paper."
> 
> (I should add that even if the paper is released as-is, I will still probably
> use it quite a bit)).
> 
>