Citizen Printer

What is the best way to print black and white digital photographs to get the most impact?

I've love black and white photography. However, you never seem to get the same impact from a black and white image that is printed from a digital image using an inkjet printer as you would if you developed the image from traditional black and white film. Does anyone know any good tricks in photoshop or when using an inkjet printer to great great, striking, dramatic digital prints?

Public Comments

1. You can get very dramatic results with PhotoShop. Just experiment with Levels, Contrast, and the UnSharp Filter.
2. First you do have to get the file looking good in PS, I would suggest modifying the Channel Mixer levels (checking off the Monochromatic box and doing something like 30,70,10 as a good starting point) Then the printer also makes a huge difference. Some printers use different levels of black and grey ink and that will make a good black and white print. Look at some of the high end epson printers for a good black and white printer. Also some photo labs can print on a true black and white photo paper, check out this lab for great quality TRUE B&W prints: http://www.photoworkssf.com/ --Mark check out our blog for more photo info http://www.xanga.com/stagi
3. Try getting a camera with a high megapixals. It is much better than a low meagpixal camera.
4. Check out PhotoShop Elements 5.0 or try to duplicate this yourself. They have a conversion to B&W feature that lets you preserve a small amount of the color. When you print a B&W picture, the paper ALWAYS added some little subtle hint of color from its formulation. If you keep just the tiniest bit of color in your print, it will "pop" a bit more than a true black and white, which is what you get when you use nothing but black ink to print. If you desaturate about 95-98%, you will have what essentially LOOKS like a B&W print, but the tiny hint of color will help. P.E. 5.0 has a feature that does this for you automatically, allowing you to input some control yourself.
5. It all has to do with framing the picture and getting the lighting good. If you want fine grain pictures, Ilford has a ISO 50 that is phenomenal. If you have photoshop, or other programs that are similar, get a set of "plug ins" and play
6. One of the biggest factors, as mentioned above, is your choice of printer. Epson is, hands down, the best for photo printing. Any of their higher end Stylus Photo series(800 and above) are excellent for black and white, due to the use of different black inks.(Light black, dark black, photo black, matte black.) Another major factor is the paper you use. Try getting sample packs from some of the high end paper manufacturers such as Luminos, Brilliant, Arches, and my favorite, Legion. See what you like best as far as glossy, matte, textured. To me, paper is the biggest factor in digital printing. Also, try some of the specialty ink makers, such as Sundance. Make sure you have the correct profiles set for the paper you are using, and make sure your monitor and printer are calibrated. Check out http://www.bwguys.com/ for some great info on digital B+W.
7. Niall, ALWAYS, but ALWAYS start with a strong image. You will not get impact if the image is rubbish. Photoshop can then enhance your image greatly, but you will need to play with it. NEVER accept the auto levels as it will be a compromise. Make sure your range of black and white is also broad by selecting the darkest dark and the lightest light with the dropper tool. Adjust the levels until you have got to where you like it and perhaps use a mask to run a filter over certain portions - like burning in in a darkroom. Best of luck.