Digital BW, The Print

Chip:

Interesting post.

> So, I'm starting to wonder how much of my decision to focus on  
> matte papers until now is about the experience I have (I like the  
> tactile qualities and texture of matte papers) versus issues of  
> visual image quality and/or the experience the client has (as Mitch  
> noted, once the prints are matted and behind glass, you've  
> minimized the "character" of matte papers anyway). And, I realized,  
> I never printed matte papers in the darkroom -- I always printed  
> air dried fiber pearl surfaces.
>
> So, with the K3 printers, I'm now leaning toward glossy/luster  
> papers for most purposes, and reserving matte papers for where the  
> image particularly calls for it (e.g., I want to emphasize the  
> image's texture or abstract feel) or where the image will be  
> presented unframed.

In my view, the matte papers are good for pictures that don't have  
deep blacks and rely mainly on mid-tones; but for pictures that have  
large areas of deep blacks or that depend on high contrast the glossy  
papers are much better, not only because of the richness of the  
blacks but also because of the higher dynamic range. I haven't been  
willing to give up rich, deep blacks for the sensuous feel of some of  
the matte paper.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I've been laminating Semi-Matte  
which produces deeper and richer blacks, and allows display or  
framing without glass. I'll have to see whether lamination is still  
necessary or desirable with the K3 inks, as my new 9800 arrives today.


> There is still the issue of "outgassing" of framed glossy  
> Ultrachrome prints, though, and I don't know that there's an  
> acceptable solution to that, other than letting the print air out  
> for many many days before framing (reports are that the recommended  
> "put a sheet of plain paper on top of the print for 48 hours  
> doesn't cut it).

I've been printing with the 7600 on Epson Semi-Matte and have had no  
problem with outgassing even though the pictures have been in the hot  
and humid environment of Bangkok for a couple of years.

--Mitch/Bangkok

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