Digital BW, The Print

There is an article in Photo Techniques this month on toning monochrome 
prints digitially -- not rocket science, but not something I had 
thought of either.  I tried a slight blue tone on a winter shot I had 
taken recently and really liked it.  The problem comes in trying to 
print the file.  While a print using an R800 captures the blue tone 
nicely, there is a marked loss of quality (versus the same print from a 
1280 using UT2 inks), especially in the midtones.  

Is there a way to get to the same endpoint using Paul Roark's curves 
and the UT2 inks on my 1280?   Or can anyone think of a why to print a 
toned monochrome (now an RGB file) without a dramatic loss of tonal 
separation?

Thanks,

Steve

> There is an article in Photo Techniques

It was my favorite photo magazine in the old chemical days.  Now it may be a
bit behind the curve when it comes to digital B&W -- compared to this forum.


> this month on toning monochrome
> prints digitially -- not rocket science, but not something I had
> thought of either.  I tried a slight blue tone on a winter shot I had
> taken recently and really liked it.  The problem comes in trying to
> print the file.  While a print using an R800 captures the blue tone
> nicely, there is a marked loss of quality (versus the same print from a
> 1280 using UT2 inks), especially in the midtones.
> 
> Is there a way to get to the same endpoint using Paul Roark's curves
> and the UT2 inks on my 1280?

Make a curves set that uses the C-position bluish toner -- red curve.  Just
leave it in the default diagonal line form at first.  Make the blue and
green curves horizon at the light end of the graph to turn off the Y and G
position inks.  Print the file as a totally de-saturated RGB file with that
curve on it. 

That will show the limit of UT2's blueness.  See if that does it for you.
Anything from that tone to sepia are along a kinked Lab b* axis are within
UT2's range. 

If the tone is OK, one turns on the black by pulling the other curves on
from about 75% to full-on at 100%.  Don't worry about the details of the
ramp.  An ICC will take care of that using Roy's Create ICC program.  If you
can't make curves -- for example in Elements -- a simple test file or curves
layer can be sent easily.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

Thanks Paul,

It is way behind the curve when compared to this forum.  

I will give trying to adjust the curves a try.

Steve

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark" 
<paul.roark@v...> wrote:
>
> > There is an article in Photo Techniques
> 
> It was my favorite photo magazine in the old chemical days.  Now it 
may be a
> bit behind the curve when it comes to digital B&W -- compared to this 
forum.
>

In a message dated 1/13/06 9:58:27 PM, paul.roark@... writes:


> It was my favorite photo magazine in the old chemical days.  Now it may be 
> a
> bit behind the curve when it comes to digital B&W -- compared to this forum.
> 

Rather an unfair standard to impose; this list is at the bleeding edge of 
experimental techniques in a specialty subject... no magazine (if only due to the 
2 to 3 month lag for layout, printing, and distribution) could keep up with a 
weblist; not even one devoted to experimental digital black and white 
techniques.

C. David Tobie
Product Technology Manager
ColorVision, Inc.
CDTobie@...
www.colorvision.com


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