IanBarber
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Location: Doncaster South Yorkshire
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Projects For The Winter
I have always believed that a photographic journey should end with a print.
Let's think about that for a moment....
Having all our images on a hard drive is ok but think about the future and I am not talking 12 months from now, I'm talking 20+ years from now.
I know that future software will be able to read jpg, psd and raw dng files but the ways things are heading I would not be surprised if everything is cloud based and this alone could cause major issues.
Simple answer to this is to print our best images and archive them. Le's be honest, holding a print in your hand gives a far greater experience than looking it on an iPhone, or some computer screen.
Printers are falling in price now and the technology these printers have is increasing. Unless your in the game of producing outstanding quality prints, then there is no reason why you can't use some of the lower end Epson printers which only cost around £40 if all you want to do is create a 7x5 archival print.
I have been creating small prints for a few years now and I have recently embarked on a new project which is to put these prints in a spiral bound booklet.
I print the images on A5 paper and then attach the spiral with a binding machine which I bought from eBay.
More information on my website
http://www.ianbarberphotography.co.uk/product/doncaster-bw-issue-1/
Last edited by IanBarber, 25/Sep/14, 8:36 pm
--- Photoshop Panels - Actions - eBooks and more..
http://www.digitalblackandwhite.co.uk
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25/Sep/14, 8:35 pm
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Elines
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Re: Projects For The Winter
(Still terribly behind with all things photographic but .....)
This is very timely as my current deskjet printer is showing some signs of old age and the 5 x 7 booklet seems like a reasonable approach for anyone (eg me) wanting to move more into printing images.
But one query please ..... Is it my imagination or is it really the case that it is always Epson that is referred to when discussing B&W prints?
I subscribe to Which? magazine and as of today's date the cheapest Epson they tested that gains 4* for photos is the EPSON Expression Premium XP-600 which they say is £60.43, a bit more expensive than the cheapest tested printer with 4* for photos - the HP Photosmart 5524 e-AIO at £53.50.
And the only two of their best buys with 5* for photos were both Canons at £106 and £129
BUT ... they only test for colour photos.
Last edited by Elines, 25/Sep/14, 10:29 pm
--- Chris
One day I might grow up, but I hope not
Say YES unless good reason to contrary
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25/Sep/14, 10:25 pm
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IanBarber
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Re: Projects For The Winter
I think Epson have the edge when it comes to producing printers for photographic prints.
HP used to always produce printers they used dye based inks and for archival purposes pigment based inks are superior which Epson use in most of their printers.
Printing is fun and does not have to be complicated if you have an organised workflow.
Yes... if your wanting to produce exhibition quality prints then you need to understand more about printing but with the Epson ABW driver, once you understand it, you will produce some very nice prints.
The 7x5 size is perfect for just producing a record of your work and there is something magical about holding that print in your hand.
--- Photoshop Panels - Actions - eBooks and more..
http://www.digitalblackandwhite.co.uk
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http://www.ianbarberphotography.co.uk
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25/Sep/14, 10:35 pm
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Elines
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Re: Projects For The Winter
Thanks for the additional info Ian - very helpful
--- Chris
One day I might grow up, but I hope not
Say YES unless good reason to contrary
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26/Sep/14, 10:01 am
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Marquinius
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Re: Projects For The Winter
Nothing can beat the moment a fine B&W print rolls off the printer (Epson 3880). Small or big, I always look forward to that moment you hold it in your hands and turn it this way and that way to catch that perfect light.
Not such a bad idea: printing and binding with a spiral, or even in a nice old fashioned photo book. Your own prints, not via some internet printer.
Can't push enough: PRINT!
--- --------------------
Marco
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26/Sep/14, 1:50 pm
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Steve 734
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Re: Projects For The Winter
I gave up printing my own a few years back because of the colour cast I was getting. I had a dig around and couldn't quite bring myself to spend North of £500 for a quality B&W printer and gawd knows how much in inks for it.
However, I'm aware things move on and was wondering if the old colour cast was still a problem with these lower end printers. I only want smallish prints anyway.
If I got a cheaper Epson would I need to install different drivers etc?
--- Regards
Steve
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26/Sep/14, 5:39 pm
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IanBarber
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Re: Projects For The Winter
The issues with colour cast and epson printers is mainly down to old technology and printing through bad colour profiles.
if going for a lower end Epson, my suggestion is to make sure it has a built in Advanced Black and White Driver as this will negate all the problems with colour casting.
--- Photoshop Panels - Actions - eBooks and more..
http://www.digitalblackandwhite.co.uk
Personal Website
http://www.ianbarberphotography.co.uk
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26/Sep/14, 5:41 pm
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martinimages
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Location: West Yorkshire
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Re: Projects For The Winter
quote: Steve 734 wrote:
I gave up printing my own a few years back because of the colour cast I was getting. I had a dig around and couldn't quite bring myself to spend North of £500 for a quality B&W printer and gawd knows how much in inks for it.
However, I'm aware things move on and was wondering if the old colour cast was still a problem with these lower end printers. I only want smallish prints anyway.
If I got a cheaper Epson would I need to install different drivers etc?
I personally don't think its worth buying a Large format printer unless you do a lot of printing, to fill mine is around £350, the printer will cost you £900, best to outsource it and be very subjective for the prints you want.
Ilford lab are really good, I use them when the print size ordered exceeds my printer capacity, the last one they did was 36in by 24in it looked beautiful, there much more like a darkroom print than the inkjet can do, that's because they can transfer your file onto traditional paper and it is then processed in chemicals, looks great, PROVIDED the file is.
Martin
Last edited by martinimages, 26/Sep/14, 6:21 pm
--- "After that shutter closes it’s all over. The physical light captured on film is all that is left, a history of light preserved in chemical form, and I have to move on to the next one."
http://martinhensonphotography.co.uk
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26/Sep/14, 6:05 pm
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Elines
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Re: Projects For The Winter
This is a very useful discussion - you can buy a lot of prints for the money it takes to buy and run a printer - so the decision to buy in or print your own needs some careful thought. Thanks
--- Chris
One day I might grow up, but I hope not
Say YES unless good reason to contrary
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27/Sep/14, 5:02 pm
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Steve 734
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Re: Projects For The Winter
Thanks gents. I appreciate it.
--- Regards
Steve
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27/Sep/14, 5:35 pm
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