Digital BW, The Print

After doing beaucoup test prints (neutral, cool, and warm) on various matte
papers with my R2400:

Velvet Fine Art
Moab Kayenta
Moab Entrada
Merlin Natural White

I returned to do the same test print on Innova F, a paper that I used for a
previous project.

Now I have to ask myself why did I waste so much time on those matte papers?
The Innova F test print is so much sharper, deeper, and richer.

My question for the group is:

Assuming that $$$ is not the reason, why would one ever choose to print on
matte paper?

Dave.

-- 
My Photography: http://www.david-keenan.com
My Blog: http://www.david-keenan.com/euroblog


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At 12:37 PM 11/27/2006, David Keenan wrote:

>Assuming that $$$ is not the reason, why would one ever choose to print on
>matte paper?

Because I like it!

(Like the feel, the texture, the lack of gloss.)

Don't feel that I need to justify my perhaps irrational affection.



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>... I have to ask myself why did I waste so much time on 
> those matte papers?
> The Innova F test print is so much sharper, deeper, and richer.
...
> Assuming that $$$ is not the reason, why would one ever choose
> to print on matte paper?

Lack of reflections is one reason.  Sometimes people talk about being able
to "see into" a matte print.  (What I like to see in a good B&W print is a
window to a B&W reality, not a piece of paper.)  I think this translates
into lack of reflections that distract from the image. (Of course, if one
uses glass, that introduces reflections there also.  So, I'm looking into
coated glazing -- expensive.  AR True Vue looks like a winner and there are
sample packs.  See
http://www.mmdistributors.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=m
mdist&Category_Code=Tru+Vue+AR )  


Lack of reflections also affects mounting.  I really don't like to have to
dry mount prints.  All of the older inkjet and wet process glossy (even air
dried) prints needed this.  Matte inkjet prints look fine without dry
mounting -- due to no surface reflections that show any small waviness.
With the new inkjet glossies, I've found up to 11 x 14 will stay flat
without dry mounting.  I'm told this holds true also for 16 x 20.  I have
not tried this yet.  However, at some size point I'd guess even the new
glossy papers will require dry mounting or similar treatment.

So, I still use matte paper, but these new glossy papers are getting really
good.  If money were not an option I might have Silver Rag printed and
mounted, perhaps on a self-adhesive, aluminum substrate.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

Hello David.
For the same reason you went with the "so much sharper, deeper, richer
Innova F" ----personal preference. I would hate to be confined to only
one choice in looks irrespective of the image content. In my view some
images cry out for different treatments and I much prefer having the
options.
Regards
Duane


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "David Keenan"
<ausdlk@...> wrote:
>
> My question for the group is:
> 
> Assuming that $$$ is not the reason, why would one ever choose to
print on

> matte paper?
> 
> Dave.
> 
> -- 
> My Photography: http://www.david-keenan.com
> My Blog: http://www.david-keenan.com/euroblog
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Hello,
   
  Why print on matt papers? Well for me it's part personel preference and my collectors like the look of my work on water color paper. Also I can charge more for  prints that are printed archival acid free paper whether  they are open or limited edition prints. When I had a wet darkroom I prefered pearl or matt paper for my fine art work and my collectors liked the look. 
   
  I have an Epson 2200, bought because it's a great printer for matt paper. I'm not a master printer and do not do a lot of testing. I stick to the Epson inks, canned profiles and that works for me right know. I'm moving up to a Epson 3800 soon and eventually a 9800. I've been happy with the papers I use and try a new paper from time to time. My present papers are Moab Entrada, Hahnemuhle Photo Rag and Epson Fine Art Velvet.
   
  I will be working with images printed on metal, wood and canvas in the coming months. I believe that each photographer finds that their work looks good on a certain type of paper and they create a work flow and a certain style. Glossy or Matt, it's choice of the photographer and the image they are working with.
   
  I  only use glossy paper for commercial/product, party and PR work and use a Epson R200 right now those images or upload to costco. But 90% of work is printed on matt paper by choice.
   
  Peace,
  Sa'longo Lee
  Recently relocated to Colorado
  http://salongosart.com
  http://kronosart.com
   
   
   
   

 
---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello Arthur,

>Because I like it!
>(Like the feel, the texture, the lack of gloss.)
> 
>Don't feel that I need to justify my perhaps irrational affection.

It's not irrational at all.  You just like it better, as do many others.  
They have an elegant look and often remind me of platinum prints, only
different of course.  Great stuff.  There is life beyond dmax.

Regards,
Clayton


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

I appreciate all the comments so far. Hopefully more of you will offer your
opinions and experiences of matte vs. glossy.

I want to add that the Innova F that I like is not like drug store glossy
paper. It is much more subdued and offers a not-completely-smooth texture. I
have read that others liken it to fiber F photographic paper that has been
air-dried rather than glazed.

Since my prints in question are to be framed and hung in an exhibtition, the
advantages of matte's non-reflective surface are lost to me.

Other here recently have praised the Crane Silver Rag. I have some sample
sheet of this coming from Eric at Booksmart Studio along with the Innova F
Warmtone (same as Innova F but without OBAs) and the Innova luster finish. I
am particularly interested in the warmtone paper but I look forward to do
some more comparisons.

Finally, despite all of what I have written, I have continued to look at
some of the matte test prints that I made and the images on Entrada with MIS
eboni as the MK ink look quite good.

Since my final prints have yet to be made, I may go with matte after all...
:)

Dave.

-- 
My Photography: http://www.david-keenan.com
My Blog: http://www.david-keenan.com/euroblog


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