inkjet papers

Sometimes Change is Good!

by EveNSteve

I’ve mentioned here and also in the Figital Revolution Manifesto (book) about the evils of re-branded photographic supplies (film/ paper/ etc…) but maybe things are about to change… and change can be good! Crane Museo Paper (Max and Portfolio Rag) have been acquired by Intelicoat (who by the way did the coating on these papers anyways) so what does this mean? First these great papers will still be made (and yes I did say great) and sold but now under Intelicoat (Crane will still supply the base paper of course). IMHO our industry needs more of this transparency as to who really makes or at least who is involved in the production of the products we all use. I would be very upset (pissed) to find out that several papers I just bought were all the same paper just with different names…this is not as far fetched as it seems. For now I will just be happy that one of my favorite papers will continue to be made…now if I could just figure out how to make some of my favorite films survive the coming decades that would be truly amazing. For more information on this Intelicoat deal click on the link:

Intelicoat Logo

A Thanksgiving Message

by EveNSteve

Yes, it’s Thanksgiving 2007 which got me thinking about the last year and what I have to be thankful for (photographically speaking of course.)

1. Film is still being made (YEAH) and seems to be having something of a renaissance.
2. Only one new version of Photoshop to upgrade to in 07 ( I skipped it anyways).
3. No major upgrades required for hardware or software.
4. Most new papers sucked or were rebranded previous offerings so I saved on costly testing and re-testing.
5. Photo Expo Plus in NYC was so boring that very little caught my eye or pocket book (thank god!)
6. My Leica lenses are still king and the new Nikon and Canon offerings are so not for me…no thank you.
7. My printing platform (The d’Vinci Printer) will continue to rock in to 2008 and beyond so no thank you to Mr. Epson, Mr. Canon or Mrs. HP.

So when I stuff my pie hole on Turkey day with too much food and drink and congratulate my self on accomplishments both real and imaginary as a photographer and artist I can also thank the Photographic Industrial Complex for making 2007 one least inspiring technologically and one cheapest years I can remember…now that is something to be really thankful for!

It’s the Print That Matters

by EveNSteve

By Stephen M. Schaub

Morning Quickie…

I heard over and over needless concern from fine art photographers about which media to print on and which media is accepted by the industry and which is not. This disturbs me as we are talking about a work of ART and not something which can easily or should necessarly even fit into a neat category or process. If your work is printed on canvas, hand-made paper or Saran Wrap who cares as long as it is the correct media for your work. Collectors buy work based on what they love. Archival is nice but way overemphasized by photographers- brilliant color and deep blacks can be great but it depends on the work. If archival was king Pollock wouldn’t have sold a thing.

In the end it is your work, not a gallery’s or publisher’s or anyone else’s- it is up to you to decide how it is printed and displayed…let the Photo Industrial Complex and the ART world control this part of our medium and I think I’ll take up lawn mowing for a living.

Hi-Def Giclee (TM) Printing at Indian Hill Imageworks

by EveNSteve

After researching current printing technologies as it relates to scanned and digitally captured images Indian Hill Imageworks in conjunction with ErgoSoft has developed Hi-Def Giclee (TM) printing. This breakthrough allows for spectacular tonality and clarity that exceeds traditional wet processes and eclipses other Giclee printers. This ground breaking technology when married with the d’Vinci Fine Art Printer allows for unparalled preformance. Add into the equation a great film scan from a Pyro processed negative and the world is yours!

If a picture is worth a thousand words than the two posted here are an encylopedia… Picture A. represents a 1440 dpi print on an industry Pro Printer on fine art paper. Picture B. represents a 1440 dpi print on the d’Vinci Fine Art Printing Platform as a Hi-Def Giclee (TM). The printed image is only 1/2 an inch in size but look at the difference in detail….Amazing! For the first time digital printing has reached well beyond the wet process and now is using 21st century technologies to their fullest.

I’d like to thank Mark Rowe, Applications and Color Specialist at Ergosoft USA (the amazing RIP software that powers the d’Vinci Printer) for his insight, clarity of thought and help.

If the Paper is a Mess then it is Time t o Confess

by EveNSteve

When will companies learn that the cover-up is always worse than the offense? Recently I became aware of two inkjet paper companies who had significant problems with a new batch of current production paper. Instead of fessing up and having an open dialog about the problem and reassuring photographers that the problem was being corrected they stayed quiet. WTF! So here I am with a large roll of paper which is not quite as useful as a roll of toilet tissue.

We the photographers need to remember- without us they have no market. Demand more. And, when something is done right, and quality control and company service is great reward it with your money… so we can put the other ones out of business!