Richest Black tone in RC paper

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Is it true that RC paper produce less rich black tone than fibre base? I have used Kodak, Ilford and Afga RC paper, usually processed by machine runs by professional. But when I compared results with magazines, I found I can't achieve "dark, rich" tone. Is it me or the paper?

-- Kevin On Man Lee (kevin.o.m.lee@bc.sympatico.ca), December 16, 1997

Answers

I think this question should be in the printing forum. I have wondered the same question myself since many of the images in good quality photography books are richer (and blacker) than most prints I have seen in person. As far as I know this can be acheived by the publisher adding more ink during the printing process. There are also paper developers and additives, such as 'Amidol' that apparently increase the density of the dark areas of a print. Someone asked this same question in the printing forum and Edwals Ultra Black was suggested.

-- Andy Laycock (aglay@interchange.ubc.ca), December 16, 1997.

Rich Blacks w/ RC

The last place you should be comparing your prints to are magazines or books. Although I realize that many do not have continuous access to actual "fine prints" for comparison. As was mentioned- book,etc. printers have access to numerious ink types and density as well as paper surfaces. One way of determining the max black of your paper is to expose a sheet of your paper to room light and develop fully (at least two mins) . The surface type of your paper will also effect the intensity of the black. Matt or pearl surfaces will appear duller than gloss when compared side by side.

-- jim megargee (mvjim@interport.net), December 16, 1997.

richer blacks

I agree with the two before. Printers can change an image greatly. Also if the picture was scanned or halftones were shot. When I worked as a photographer at a newspaper we only used RC paper it was quicker and time frame was always an issue. Sandra Honea

-- sandra Honea (sanderic.@flash.net), December 28, 1997.

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