Great Article on How to Solve a Recent Color Management Issue

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?

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:

ctest_sRGB

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

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

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.

darlow_japan
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

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.

picture-2

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.

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