2018 - Project 52 Print - Donald MacKenzie

[Manfred M]

Finished this yesterday, nearly 2 years after it was taken.

It is Fern Spring in Yosemite NP in California, which I spend almost a month in in September 2016, but like the other one I posted this week from that trip, I only now have acquired the skills to finish this in the way that I always wanted.

And given this was where I sat for ages on a number or occasions and contemplated my past and future life and how it would work out now (this was my first trip after my wife had died), it will always hold a very special memory for me.

Printed on Permajet FB Mono Gloss Baryta 320.

Edit - It hasn't posted on here very well. The print is a lot better than this.

I'm not at all surprised that your image does not look that good. When I post the images I have printed, I disable all of the print specific adjustments I made specifically for the print process so that the image looks "normal" on screen. Frankly those print adjustments can look awful on screen and the print that has been output can look amazing.

I am trying two different workflows right now. One is where I use my master file to create a print file where I do all my print specific adjustments. I throw that file out after I finish the print because it generally takes very little time to do over again.

The second technique I am trying is to create a paper specific print adjustment folder as part of my master file that is specific to the paper I am planning to use (sometimes I will try more than one paper) and then I will turn off visibility of that layer when posting the image.

Like you, I am revisiting some of my older images that go back a few years and am printing them now, as like you, my skill level in printing has increased significantly over the past 6 months and I am putting what I have learned (and continue to learn) into practice.

[Shadowman]

When I use Nik software output sharpening it has two different algorithms, one for online display and one for printing and I noticed that the online version creates a smooth/contrasty output; while the "for print" output, which takes into account viewing distance, type of paper, printer max res, will create a crisp/textured final output. I will usually decrease the structure slider a bit just to take a bit of the edge off the composition.

[Cantab]

I've just printed this image..... twice.

It was my first time using PermaJet's Award Winning FB Gold Silk 315 and I wanted to compare it against known paper, Permajet's FB Mono Gloss Bartya 320.

They're still drying as I type, but early indications that the creamier paper of the Gold Silk is giving a blacker black. But I will reserve judgements until tomorrow morning, until they've had 24 hours to dry properly.

EDIT - 24 hours later: I do think the Gold Silk does produce a deeper black, but it is pretty miniscule. Both are excellent papers and I think it really boils down to personal preference.

Donald, this image is superb -- even though I'm not able to see the final print in real life.

[Donald]

Getting even further behind, but to show my commitment to the idea of this thread (idea being from Manfred) I will continue. In fact, I have printed 12 images this morning which involved changing from Advanced B & W to Colour on my Epson R3000, as I printed some to which I applied Split Toning (which wouldn't show up if I just printed using the Advanced B & W tool).

One that to which I did apply Split Toning is this one. I keep thinking that there is too much tone on it and then at other times I think it okay. Maybe one day I'll reach a final decision. When printed it looks okay ........ I think.

I printed this on PermaJet FB Matt 285.

[Manfred M]

I have not tried split toning in any of my work (so far). The effect is interesting. That slight variation from "pure" monochrome adds something just a little bit special to the final image. I can see it being tricky to do well as this technique, as you are demonstrating, is all about subtlety. I also understand there have been continuing debates in the photographic community as to whether this type of work should be considered monochrome or not.

On the other hand, you may have a chance to catch up to me relatively soon; I fear my 9-year old Epson 3880 may have died as it refuses to deliver any black ink, even after repeated head cleaning attempts, so my ability to print right now is quite limited. Head replacement exceeds the cost of a new printer...

I am starting another printing course in about a month and Epson has a significant rebate on the P800 until the end of the month, so I may have to go printer shopping this month. The P800 has an optional roll paper attachment, which would overcome my current limitation on producing pano prints.

[Donald]

On the other hand, you may have a chance to catch up to me relatively soon; I fear my 9-year old Epson 3880 may have died as it refuses to deliver any black ink, even after repeated head cleaning attempts, so my ability to print right now is quite limited. Head replacement exceeds the cost of a new printer...

I am starting another printing course in about a month and Epson has a significant rebate on the P800 until the end of the month, so I may have to go printer shopping this month. The P800 has an optional roll paper attachment, which would overcome my current limitation on producing pano prints.

The debate about whether we print at home or buy them is one I saw returning just recently in a journal published over here. I know why it is raised, but photography is an activity that is so much more that just capturing an image

If we had a problem/issue with the cost of things I wouldn't have gone anywhere near photography. We know it's an expensive hobby to pursue. Printing your own images is as much a part of photography as firing the shutter and capturing a print. I get huge amount of enjoyment in preparing an image for print and of seeing it emerge from the printer.

The P800 sounds an excellent printer. Enjoy it.

[Cantab]

...Epson has a significant rebate on the P800 until the end of the month, so I may have to go printer shopping this month. The P800 has an optional roll paper attachment, which would overcome my current limitation on producing pano prints.

It sounds like you need the P800!

[Donald]

Manfred has put me to shame for being much more adequate at keeping up his 'Print' thread. But I have been printing a lot, just that I don't always put them up here.

One of those was this one. It was printed on Permajet's Matt 285

[Donald]

As I've written elsewhere, I was recently on a 3-day infrared masterclass. I am starting to print some of the images that I took during that masterclass, but this one was not printed by me. It was not even finished (processed) by me. I just captured it.

It was the image used by the course leader, Michael Pilkington, to introduce us to post-production. I now have the the finished file to use as a teaching aid and to see what it was that he did. Michael processed this whilst projecting the work for all of us to look at.

He printed this on Epson Traditional Photo Paper (which he says he uses all the time, for everything).

[Stagecoach]

That is an extremely beautiful and proportioned image Donald. My eyes keep returning to the tree trunks that show their shape so well.

[Donald]

Thanks Grahame.

Interesting what you say about the tree trunks. Michael's attention to detail was shown in him putting an adjustment curve on one side of the trunks and raising the level of the tone. I just wouldn't have thought about doing that, but as you illustrate, it has worked.

It was things like that which stick with me. I have done the same on another image of those trees and can see the difference immediately.

[Cantab]

For me, this is a stunning image. But I'm dying of curiosity about the extent of the post processing during the class. Would you be willing to post the more or less SOOC image??

[Donald]

Would you be willing to post the more or less SOOC image??

Here is the Raw file (saved as a JPG)



I would add that Michael put in 33 curve selections into the post-processing activity, along with several moves back to ACR to refine shadows, highlights, exposure and whites and blacks.

[Manfred M]

A good case study in what printing is all about Donald. It's all about the local adjustments.

Unless your part of the world got hit by a sudden snow storm, this definitely looks like an IR shot. I do prefer the rectangular format to your usual square images. This orientation makes more of a statement to me.

I was a bit confused by the paper that was used until I did a bit of a search. In North America the paper goes by the name of Epson Exhibition Fiber Paper. I have used it (and in fact still have a few pieces left). People seem to really like it or dislike it. The finish is not something everyone is a fan of.

[Cantab]

Here is the Raw file (saved as a JPG)



I would add that Michael put in 33 curve selections into the post-processing activity, along with several moves back to ACR to refine shadows, highlights, exposure and whites and blacks.

Very interesting. Thanks for posting it.