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Great Article on How to Solve a Recent Color Management Issue

Andrew Darlow — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:32:49 +0000

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?

Andrew Darlow — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:03:09 +0000

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

Andrew Darlow — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:26:54 +0000

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

301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques Reviewed by Portland Metro Photographic News

Andrew Darlow — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:10:19 +0000

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

Andrew Darlow — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:41:10 +0000

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

Andrew Darlow — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:51:37 +0000

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.

Upcoming Color Management and Inkjet Printing Workshops in NJ

Andrew Darlow — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 23:32:04 +0000

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!

Inkjet FAQ002: Finding Output (Paper) Profiles in Mac OSX

Andrew Darlow — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 22:51:33 +0000

Inkjet FAQ 002: I can’t find my Canon, Epson or HP profiles in my Profiles folder, but I see them in the Photoshop Profiles dropdown list under File>Print, and when I choose “Other” in the Color Management section in Lightroom’s Print Module. Why oh why???

When you install a printer driver from a CD, or by downloading it from the printer manufacturer’s website to make sure it is a current version (recommended), printer profiles are generally a part of the install. For Mac users using OSX, the profiles will usually be placed in one of three places:

1. /Library/ColorSync/Profiles (visible and usable by all users).

2. In your User folder (next to the house icon)/Library/ColorSync/Profiles (visible and usable by just the current User).

or here:

3. Main Hard Drive with your OSX system files/Library/Printers

What’s interesting is that OSX Spotlight searches for the profiles in Number 3 above don’t appear to work (at least they didn’t for me). Files in that section may be considered special files, and I’m sure a Unix/OSX systems expert will know exactly why that’s happening.

Also note that you will need to restart Photoshop (or any other color management aware application from which you are printing) if Photoshop is open when you add profiles to your Profiles folder. That will allow the profile list in Photoshop to refresh.

A more efficient way to find all the profiles on your system is by using a great application that comes free with your Mac. It is called “ColorSync Utility” and can be found in your Applications/Utilities folder.

One section of the Apple ColorSync Utility with the “Profiles” icon selected.

After launching the application, choose “Profiles” from the icons at the top of the screen, and then look down the list on the left of the screen. If you look inside the item named “Other” you will see the path to the “hidden profiles” that I mentioned in Number 3 above. You can also take a look at the profile in 3D color space.

To receive all the Inkjet FAQ’s as they are added to the website (and to receive all the posts on inkjettips.com), visit this page and add your e-mail address.

A Few Spaces Remain for Upcoming Full Day Class 1/9/2009 in NJ

Andrew Darlow — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:49:26 +0000

I just checked with Nancy Ori and learned that there are a few spaces still available for the upcoming Full Day Inkjet Printing Class that I’ll be conducting on Friday, 1/9/2009 in Berkeley Heights, NJ. The workshop is entitled: Fine-Art Inkjet Printing Full Day Workshop: How to Prepare Files and Make Gallery-Quality Prints and it is limited to just five participants. I’ve conducted about ten of these at Nancy Ori Studios over the last six months, and the response I’ve received from attendees has been fantastic. You can read the full class description and some testimonials on this page. The early registration discount ends on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 (total including materials fee is $249 instead of $294).

A two-page PDF brochure with pricing and information can be found here. To register, call Nancy Ori Studio at (908) 790-8820 or e-mail Nancy Ori here.

Event and Book Signing Friday Nov. 21, 2008 in NJ

Andrew Darlow — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:29:57 +0000

I’d like to invite readers of InkjetTips.com to a free event this Friday evening 11/21/2008 from 6-8pm in New Brunswick, NJ at Alfa Art Gallery. I’ll primarily be showing a new series of pigment inkjet prints of images that are shown in my book, 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques, and I’ll be answering questions about inkjet printing. I’ll also be giving away 100 signed 11×14 posters (shown below):

It is an invitation only event, and an RSVP is requested to attend. To RSVP, please visit this page.

I hope to see some InkjetTips readers there.

All the best!

Andrew