Andrew Darlow Photography: Blog

Great Article on How to Solve a Recent Color Management Issue

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:32:49 GMT

I just read an article by Mark Dubovoy covering a recent issue with printing targets for custom profiles using Apple Snow Leopard (10.6), Epson drivers and Apple Computers on Luminous-landscape.com. I’ve delayed my official update to Snow Leopard because I usually like to wait a few months to upgrade after initial testing. I’ll be testing this approach with Epson and other drivers soon.

You can find the article here with a step-by-step workaround to fix the problem:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/solving.shtml

Inkjet FAQ 003: How can I easily test my lab’s print output?

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:03:09 GMT

This is a common question, and I have a pretty simple answer. First, it is important to have a calibrated and profiled monitor (a.k.a. display). Without going too far into that topic, the next step I recommend is to use a “target,” or test image, as a benchmark to help determine whether your monitor is displaying images properly. By printing out the target on different days and possibly on different papers, such as gloss, luster and metallic, you’ll be able to compare them side-by-side. You’ll also see whether there are significant changes from day to day.

The following 4×6-inch test file can be downloaded at the link below:

http://www.andrewdarlow.com/ctest.zip

The file contains color and black and white images sized to 280PPI on a 4×6 canvas and saved with the sRGB working space.

You should then save the file as a JPG file (quality 9, 10, 11 or 12 is recommended-12 is best, but will create a larger file) and send the target image to your lab to print.

Because this tip is primarily for continuous-tone printers like those found in professional photo labs, the file is in the sRGB working space and Photoshop PSD format. Saving a JPG on top of a JPG is a no-no because you will keep introducing more artifacts as you save a JPG on top of a JPG. The image includes some text, which also helps to judge the sharpness of the lab’s output.

Note: It is very important to instruct your lab to turn off any color correction, or you won’t be able to properly control the color and density of your prints!

I have a similar file here with the same test image in AdobeRGB color space, which is ideal for inkjet printer testing.

Enjoy!

Full-Day Inkjet Printing Workshops 9/12 and 9/13

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:26:54 GMT

I posted information on the InkjetTips.com and ImagingBuffet.com workshop pages a few weeks ago about two upcoming full-day workshops that I’m conducting in New Brunswick, NJ at Alfa Art Gallery on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13. Some seats still remain for both workshops, which are limited to just 8 participants each. I currently have a show on exhibit at the gallery entitled East + West, featuring photographs of New York and Japan. Having the workshop at the gallery allows me to describe the prints up close, and properly lit under gallery spotlights.

The fee for either full-day workshop is just $179. I’d also like to offer a $30 discount on either of the two workshops to our readers, which is valid if you register by Thursday, 9/10.

For more information or to register for the Saturday 9/12 workshop (the discount code is embedded), visit this page.

For more information or to register for the Sunday 9/13 workshop (the discount code is embedded), visit this page.

For either day, the page will display “sold out” at the top if all 8 seats have been reserved.

All the best!

Andrew

East + West: Photographs of New York and Japan Exhibition Announcement

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:18:03 GMT

I’m happy to announce an upcoming show of my pigment inkjet prints in New Brunswick, NJ from 8/28-9/16/2009. New York City and Japan are places that have had a profound effect on me. In the case of NYC, it started at about age 5, and in the case of Japan, age 18. In this show, I include about 25 images from both places, from 20×24 framed prints to 40×70 inch prints on canvas.

Below is the show information:

East + West: Photographs of New York and Japan by Andrew Darlow
Curated by Michiko Mull
August 28 – September 16, 2009

Alfa Art Gallery
108 Church Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Opening Reception: Friday, August 28 @ 6:30-9pm
Lecture and Slide Show by Andrew Darlow at 7pm

At 7pm on August 28, I’ll be showing slides from my trips to North America, Europe and Japan over the last 20 years. Following the presentation, I will have 11×14 prints and large posters available for purchase.

I hope to see some InkjetTips.com readers there!

For more information, visit:
http://www.alfaart.org/exhibitions_events.php#eastwest

301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques Reviewed by Portland Metro Photographic News

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:10:19 GMT

The Portland Metro Photographic News, a fantastic online magazine focused on photo news from the Northwest United States, recently reviewed 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques.

Here’s a short quote from the review:

…consider this book as an all-inclusive reference source for everything related to personal printmaking. The book is organized in a digital printing workflow manner, and presented in a language that’s easily understood by beginning and advanced photographers…In my camera bag is my camera manual. Alongside my computer sits my Photoshop manual. And next to my inkjet printer, you’ll find Andrew Darlow’s “301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques”.

Read the whole review of 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques here (as well as a review of other photo books).

The website has a Portland, Oregon area photo events calendar, plus many great news stories about photo shows, camera club news, and much more. One standout page on the site is a photo essay from Photolucida (a biannual photo event held in Portland) by Tom Hubbard, founder and publisher of PMPN.

Article in AfterCapture Magazine June/July 2009 Issue

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:41:10 GMT

I just received the newest issue of After Capture magazine (June/July 2009) and I’m happy to have been able to provide another “Rip this Page Out” article. This month, I’ve provided a resolution chart , similar to the one I make available to those who subscribe to my Inkjet & Imaging Tips Newsletter, as well as a description of how to use it and what resolution to choose for different purposes.

If you qualify for a free subscription of After Capture , it will be delivered to you in hardcopy form. The June/July issue has a number of excellent articles (including one very helpful one about Lightroom, metadata and what happens behind the scenes in the application). I highly recommend taking a look at the website-AfterCapture.com. All the PDFs from the current and past issues can be downloaded there.

If you’d like to download the PDF of my article without having to visit the site, you can do that by clicking HERE.

Interview Segment on Photofocus Podcast

Wed, 06 May 2009 08:51:37 GMT

I recently had the honor of being interviewed for a segment of Photofocus, a podcast and website run by Scott Bourne. Most of the show is a collection of questions from readers/listeners of the show, and I think that the information presented is excellent. The main contributors to the show are Scott Bourne and Rick Sammon. They have both put a lot of film and flash cards through many cameras, and they really know their stuff.

On the show I answered some questions about how inkjet papers can be used for things other than traditional prints, and I covered some suggestions regarding image resolution.

The site is filled with a lot of photo tips and info, and I believe it is well worth a look for newbies to professional photographers. Visit this page on the site to listen to the show and read the show notes, or you can subscribe to the podcast on their site.

Review of the HP Designjet Z3200 on PopPhoto.com

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:56:59 GMT

I recently had a chance to conduct a hands-on review of the HP Designjet Z3200 inkjet printer for Popular Photography Magazine’s May issue. I tested the Postscript edition (Z3200ps) in the 24-inch-wide version. You can read the full review on PopPhoto.com here. It’s a very impressive machine.

Article About RIPs (and products that are similar to RIPs) for Professional Photographer magazine.

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:10:37 GMT

I recently wrote an article about RIPs, or Raster Image Processors, and products that are similar to RIPs for the March issue of Professional Photographer magazine. After looking closely at all of them, I was surprised to see how many features have been added to many of the RIPs over the years. Even though I primarily print directly from Photoshop or Lightroom to the standard driver, there are many reasons why one might choose a RIP.

You can find the article on RIPs here.

I also recommend Professional Photographer magazine to any working (or aspiring) pro photographer. The image quality, ink on paper reproduction, and editorial content are fantastic. The content includes marketing tips, reviews of DSLRs and many other products, lighting advice and many inspirational stories about people and the people, places and things they photograph. Subscription information (digital and print editions), can be found here.

Upcoming Color Management and Inkjet Printing Workshops in NJ

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:32:04 GMT

I’m very happy to announce that I’m conducting two color management/fine-art printing workshops on January 31, 2009 at a new pro rental/fine-art reproduction studio located in Hillsborough, NJ (near Princeton). One runs from 10am-3pm and the other from 4pm-7pm.

For more information or to register, visit this page. I hope to see some inkjettips.com readers there!