Digital BW, The Print

Hi everyone,

I am sorry for this message but I am new to digital printing:

Up until recently I used convential black and white printing methods 
but now I am moving to a new realm. 

I have done some studying and have some knowledge of the subject but 
am very confused on others.

I am getting ready to purchase an Epson Photo 2400 and the Konica 
Minolta Film Scanner to start my journey. I also have Photoshop 
Elements 3.0.

I am currently reading about all these third party ink companies 
like Piezography and others, they seem great but is it realy going 
to be a difference? Also the software that you use with it, does 
that over ride the burning and dodging that I do in photoshop? 

How do I get the feel of the old Ilford Gallerie look from these 
products?

Can someone get me started in the right direction? 


Art

You are already heading in the right direction.  The 2400 is a fabulous
printer.  I doubt you'll be unhappy with the Epson Adv B&W output and it
should serve you very very well as you come up to speed.  I wouldn't even
think about other ink sets until you are well-versed in using the printer
(and scanner etc) as is.  The software you refer to is needed for these
other ink sets because they are dedicated B&W ink sets rather than colour.
Hence the Epson driver is not suited for driving them (only Paul Roark's
workflows use the Epson driver with dedicated B&W ink sets).  So sit back,
relax and have fun with the 2400 and just keep reading here to boost your
knowledge - and of course ask any questions you want.

> From: bwprintman5 <aromanocpa@...>
> Reply-To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 14:52:07 -0000
> To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [Digital BW] New to the Digital Printing
> 
> Hi everyone,
> 
> I am sorry for this message but I am new to digital printing:
> 
> Up until recently I used convential black and white printing methods
> but now I am moving to a new realm.
> 
> I have done some studying and have some knowledge of the subject but
> am very confused on others.
> 
> I am getting ready to purchase an Epson Photo 2400 and the Konica
> Minolta Film Scanner to start my journey. I also have Photoshop
> Elements 3.0.
> 
> I am currently reading about all these third party ink companies
> like Piezography and others, they seem great but is it realy going
> to be a difference? Also the software that you use with it, does
> that over ride the burning and dodging that I do in photoshop?
> 
> How do I get the feel of the old Ilford Gallerie look from these
> products?
> 
> Can someone get me started in the right direction?
> 
> 
> Art
>

> I am getting ready to purchase an Epson Photo 2400 and the Konica
> Minolta Film Scanner to start my journey. I also have Photoshop
> Elements 3.0.
> 
> I am currently reading about all these third party ink companies
> like Piezography and others, they seem great but is it realy going
> to be a difference?

MIS ink is significantly cheaper.  The blended, dedicated B&W inksets are
somewhat more lightfast.  Some MIS inksets allow printing on both matte and
glossy papers without changing black inks.  I think the MIS inks have less
bronzing on some glossy papers.  The Epson OEM Photo K probably has a bit
higher dmax on some glossy papers.

> Also the software that you use with it, does
> that over ride the burning and dodging that I do in photoshop?

No.

> How do I get the feel of the old Ilford Gallerie look from these
> products?

Some of the latest "glossy" papers like Crane Silver Rag come close, but
trying to get the exact look of the old silver prints is a good way to get
frustrated.  I found that if the prints are under glass, even a matte paper
looked very much like my older silver prints under glass.  The main thing I
had to do was match the tone/hue of the older prints. Then I could hang the
silver ink inkjet prints side by side and most never knew there was any
difference in the technology used.

Initially I didn't like the matte paper prints un-glazed, but one gets used
to no reflections.  Then the matte prints start to look rather good in
comparison.  

The inkjet medium is different, and once you get used to it, you might
prefer it.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

Hello Art,

>Up until recently I used convential black and white printing 
>methods but now I am moving to a new realm...
>Can someone get me started in the right direction? 

>...does that over ride the burning and dodging that I do in photoshop? 

No, it shouldn't.  There are different approaches to this, but in
general you should get on paper what you see on screen.  Even the
slightest changes, such as moving a point on an adjustment curve by a
single RGB unit, will show in the print.  


>How do I get the feel of the old Ilford Gallerie look from these 
>products?

The 2400 is a versatile printer and you can emulate many different
"looks" with the tone control in ABW mode combined with various
papers.  For example, some papers render carbon inks with a cooler
tone than others, and they vary in contrast range as well, so the
paper choice is as important as the ink tone setting.  For example,
one of my favorite silver prints was done on Galerie #3.  I found a
good match for it using Merlin Smooth paper with ABW setting 6h,-6v. 
It will take some experimenting, but I'm sure you'll find things
you'll like.

There is an article (#5) at the link below called "The Great Paper
Chase" which lists the attributes of 26 different papers.  It can give
you some ideas of where to begin experimenting.  There is another one
(#9) which outlines a workflow for the 2400 that will get you started
right away without needing extra hardware or software.  It's a
complete step by step outline, from Photoshop settings to making the
final print.  There is also a section about using proof paper which is
 good to know.

You'll like the 2400, it's an excellent choice.  One of the great
things about digital printing is how much more control we have.  I've
been able to make good prints from negs that I was never fully
satisfied with under the enlarger.  So, welcome to this great new world.

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm