Lumière d’Argent

Last exhibition was printed on Moab Entrada Natural with Epson K3 inks. It worked well, but having since switched back to Piezography, I ran a few comparisons between what I had in stock. It turns out that Entrada is somewhat duller with NK7 inks while Hahnemühle Photo Rag really shines. Deeper blacks, more sparkle in the highlights, and something I can’t really identify combine to give much more pleasing prints. NK7 on Entrada are good prints and I would probably not find flaws if I had not compared to the same on Photo Rag. But I did. And it is like someone turned on the light on the Photo Rag one. Hard to believe.

A close examination also shows the print surface is flawless with Photo Rag while Entrada surface shows some light reflections, as if the ink was not completely absorbed. I have used Entrada a lot with early Piezography and MIS UT7 without noticing that problem, so maybe I could try to create my own Entrada curve with less ink and see. It would not give the higher DMax, though and probably not the nicer tone of Photo Rag.

A problem with Photo Rag is the price, though. Nearly twice compared to its competitors.

I don’t have time before the exhibition to order and test Innova and Bradford papers, but I surely will after the exhibition. Innova is supposed to be very very close to Photo Rag with NK7 and it is sold around the same price as Entrada.

In the meantime, Photo Rag is back!

Stephane :: Oct.21.2007 :: Printing :: 5 Comments »

I sweared I would not do it again unless it would be in a known gallery where people come without being told to. Because, you know, un unknown photographer in an unknown gallery is not going to draw too much attention. And doing those things is too much work to get in a month half the number of people who come here each day…

But a conspiracy made of my girlfriend and our good friends at La Cour de Récré managed to make me say yes again. So there, it will be held next Saturday, at La Cour de Récré. It will be part of a book signing session by the great Jacques Danois. The whole event is under the Unicef umbrella. Jacques used to be a big guy at Unicef and still does all he can to help.

Stephane :: Oct.21.2007 :: Locations, Photography, Pictures :: No Comments »

Very good. A delight at f/2.8, great bokeh, reasonably well build. This was done last Sunday, first photo with that lens, I am rather happy.

I have no real plan to do any macro photography, but having great quality whatever the distance and aperture is very comfortable indeed.

Stephane :: Oct.12.2007 :: Gear :: No Comments »

OK, the 100mm Macro and the Sigma 12-24 arrived. Looks good, but had not yet any opportunity to go and use them. The Sigma certainly is better finished then I remembered/expected. A nice surprise.

While I was thinking about equipment, I started to remember about those graduated neutral filter. I had forgotten about them because with the B&W negative films I have used for years, it is much better to control contrast by development. And scanners can see through any burned highlights anyway.

In digital I am again facing what slide shooters have always battled: washed out highlights. Or black shadows. Or both.

So I have taken a look at Lee and Hitech catalogues and price lists. Hmmm, not too expensive at first sight but when I add up everything that’s really need it amounts to a solid budget.

Will need to think more about it.

Stephane :: Oct.05.2007 :: Gear :: No Comments »