Printing Process

Let's explore a printing process using a digital darkroom. The steps are:

1. Take pictures using negative film. 1. Process the film. 1. Digitize the images. 1. Process the digital images using PhotoShop as the dark room. 1. Print the images with an ink jet printer. 1. Document the process on this web site.

We'll explore these topics one by one.

Take pictures with Leica using negative film

Many films are different than when I was last active in photography. Here is a common line up today.

I'm going to elminate all film speeds except 100 and 400 for now. ASA 200 probably has too much grain an not enough speed.

Consumer Color

Fuji and Kodak dominate the color 35 mm film world. At present I have no preferences. As suggested below, Kodak seems to recommend Royal Gold. Commonly available consumer types are:

Kodak Max

Comes in ASA 400 and ASA 800 versions.

Kodak says: The simple choice for great pictures. Simple because it's easy to choose; easy to use.

Kodak Gold

Comes in ASA ASA 100 and ASA 200 speeds. My first 2 rolls through the Leica was this emulsion.

Kodak says: Easy-to-use films for superior color pictures.

Kodak Royal Gold

Available in ASA 100, 200 and 400 versions.

Kodak says: Honored as Best Color Negative Film and the European Color Film of the Year (1997-1998). 2000 Foto Super Award -- Foto Magazine calls ROYAL GOLD 400 Film the Best All Around 400 Speed Film of the World. The patented advanced T-Grain® technology of these films provides a superb balance between clarity, detail, and color for outstanding enlargements.

Consumer Black and White

This market seems to be dominated by Ilford and Kodak. I shot thousands of pictures with Plus-X and Tri-X from the 50's on. These emulsions are still in use today. But there are enen more choices.

Drugstore processing seems to be a problem. As a result there are BW films that are processed through the E-6 line. I've read that these have similar archival qualities as color film. i.e. digitize them soon.

Kodak Black & White Film

ASA 400.

Professional Color

Kodak Portra

Kodak says: NC (natural color) and VC (vivid color); 100T, 160, 400 and 800-speeds. The PORTRA Film family yields consistently rich and detailed negatives with neutrally balanced tone scale from shadows to highlights. An emulsion overcoat and scanner friendly design make PORTRA Films the perfect choice for photographers who scan their negatives.

Process the film

Print Using Ink-Jet Printer

Black and white printing is tough. See MIS and Piezography Quadtones Compared for a review of bw printing using ink jet printers.

* Paul Roark has done some work in this area.

* Look at Epson 1200 printers with continuous flow inking systems. The 1200 does not use chipped cartridges, so there is choices of vendors for inks.

Last modified: Thu, 28-Jun-01 22:42:08 PDT