2018 - Project 52 Print - Donald MacKenzie

[Donald]

So, for Week 1 of this New Year and my first image for this project.

This was printed on Permajet's FB Mono Gloss Baryta .

I found that the paper was best for bringing out the contrast in the field and in the sky.

It was printed on an Epson 3000 using Epson's 'Advanced Black @ White' software. With the print setting being 'Normal'. A tone setting of 12/10 was used.

The print is 13.75" x 11" (34.93 x 27.94 centimetres).

[Shadowman]

Nice kickoff to the project, I have a couple of sheets of Canson Baryta Photographique but have yet to try it out thinking it would be similar to any semi gloss paper; however looking at Epson's specification I noticed there are specific coatings/brighteners used.

[rudi]

Nice start to the project Donald. Looking forward to the next....

......Canson Baryta Photographique ....thinking it would be similar to any semi gloss paper.......

Let me first say that paper choices are very subjectif !!!
I do not know exactly what you mean by "similar to any semi gloss paper..." but to my (subjectif) opinion, the Canson Bar Photographique is a very high quality Fine art paper. And it is indeed 'similar' to Epson Legacy Baryta, Ilford Gold Fibre Silk, Innova Exhibition Photo Baryta, Permajet FB Gold Silk, and a lot other 'Baryta's '.......YMMV

[gcowan]

A nice start to the year. This image reminded me of the Japanese images of Michael Kenna or the Seascapes of Hiroshi Sugimoto. I like the peace at the centre of the work and the structure and texture of the image. It will be difficult to print even on Baryta paper so that it is not a symphony of mid greys. I won't comment on the values because I am looking at this on a laptop in a sunny place. Kenna often uses one or a few very strong graphic elements in his work, and Sugimoto's prints are alive with movement on close inspection due to the repetition of small strong marks, like the suggestions of contour in your foreground.
By the way have you forsaken the square format? I have noticed a strong trend to 10x8.
My favourite paper for monochrome printing these days is Canson Platine Fibre Rag paper. I makes me feel like I have been in a darkroom again.

[Donald]

I have noticed a strong trend to 10x8.

I wondered if anyone would mention that. Yes, I have been starting to produce work in 5:4 format. Not abandoning the 1:1 format, but want to explore what I can do in a 5:4 format.

[Donald]

Week 2

Back to 1:1 format for this week's print.

It has been printed at 8" x 8" (20.32 x 20.32cm). It would print much bigger, (captured on a Canon 5Ds) but I do like smaller prints. Not only are they good for wall-hanging, but there is a certain intimacy in them in that they attract folk to get close to them.

I applied a reasonable amount of output sharpening to the rocks and I think that is beneficial. Each one does 'pop' in the print and it very distinguishable from the one next to it.

This is printed on Permajet's FB Mono Gloss Baryta .

[gcowan]

Very nice.
It is surprising how much sharpening a print can take, but then when it is overdone they look very brittle. This looks just right.
It must be deafening when a big sea surges into that bay.

[Wavelength]

First one is great; second one is even more so!!!

[Manfred M]

It's a very interesting scene. I find the roundness of the pebbles adds a strong counterpoint to the sky.

Small prints are more intimate; this is an interesting direction in the print world where the "bigger is better" seems to be winning the day more often than not.

[Donald]

Small prints are more intimate; this is an interesting direction in the print world where the "bigger is better" seems to be winning the day more often than not.

I was at first surprised at how small many of Ansel Adams prints were. Then, moving forward in time, Fay Godwin's prints for 'Land' were not large and into the modern times, Michael Kenna prints his stuff at modest sizes. So, I think there are those who don't go with the flow. I'm sure the idea that the smaller size is more intimate is not mine. I'm sure someone once said this, but I don't know who or when. Or maybe I've had an original thought!

[Shadowman]

Week 2, nice sense of movement.

[CormacD]

Amazing clarity, Donald, I can't take my eyes off it, the depth of field just keeps drawing me in.

[Jim A]

Very nice indeed, Donald! Nowadays we see quite a few with a similar theme, however this one, to my mind, is a step above the majority. Can't help thinking how it would look on metallic paper?

[Donald]

Thank you for the comments.

Can't help thinking how it would look on metallic paper?

I'll try it. I have Permajet's Titanium Lustre.

[Donald]

I am going to miss week 3 because I am away. I will catch up with that with 2 in week 4.

[tbob]

I am tending to agree about the smaller size for prints. Ironic , having just got a camera that will sustain huge prints, but I printed a set of 5 by 7 images of the aurora for a friend and I was much happier with the impact of the group. The larger size (20 inches by 30 inches) needs people to stand a good two metres away at least and dominate the wall, the smaller prints just seem more friendly (don't know how else to describe the feeling)

[Donald]

Week 3 (was away last week so week 3 and week 4 will be published this week, but separately).

The perfect image with which to try out Permajet's Titanium Lustre 280 (just been voted best professional inject paper by the members of the Societies of Photographers in the UK), was this one.

As the blurb on Permajet's site says, "... you will not believe what you can achieve in the tonal highlights and greys."

[Shadowman]

Nice composition and processing.

[Donald]

Oh, forgot to Post Week 4 yesterday (in Week 4). So to catch up and get us back on track ..............

My one and only image of a person. Taken in France (who would have guessed).

I printer this in Permajet's FB Matt 285. It's framed on the wall in my house. I've sold it a couple of times as well

[Manfred M]

Yes, your subject definitely has that stereotypical French look about him. All that is missing is him smoking a Gauloises cigarette...

This one works extremely well as a B&W as it gives the image that 60's look, even though the shot is a lot more modern. With all the interesting looking people in your part of the world, I've always wondered why you have done so few people shots.