The Baryta Challenge

Now I have to work hard to market both the Ilford Gold Fibre Silk and the Harman Fibre Base inkjet papers.

Before the baryta, all inkjet papers are just printing quality not photographic. Now we have three types in the world, referring to "Battle of the Barytas" and it is quite interesting that I have to deal with two out of the three types. Someone asked me whether it was difficult to handle. I said that both Ilford and Harman baryta inkjet papers are high photographic quality and consumers could choose according to their taste.

That is not the first challenge. In the film era, I had to advise my students etc. about the choice among Kodak's various color films like Gold, Ektar, Ektapress etc. In fact, we had lots of color papers at that time.

With the digital imaging, the difference between cameras, CCD and ATD processes are not so great in compare with the traditional method.

Certainly, many consumers are still failed to understand the inkjet paper can make or break their final imaging results.

As I always mention, the problem is the way to see one's photos. At a glance, just a few seconds, the prints with the higher contrast and lower gradation may be more pleasing. When one appreciates the image, I prefer to say enjoying the image, and then the print with the right contrast and appropriate gradation will always be the best.

In other words, that is the drawing between false and natural beauties. Nowadays, just like a critic said, only the diamond was true in Hollywood. The choice of cosmetic surgery beauty is really a personal case. But in photography, I have devoted to truth ever since and I believe that without truth, photography is nothing worth for us to work on.

It is lucky that I have the chance to work with the best imaging techniques both in the traditional and the digital eras.

For all my works on this topic, you can goto Ilfordinkjet HK and Harmaninkjet HK.

Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre Silk

According to my information, the Ilford Galerie inkjet paper is designed for European market. They have another group of inkjet papers for Asian market. That is why I have arranged the supplies of Super Premium (Glossy and Satin) for HK & Macau. This is similar to the Omnijet paper.

However, there were a number of requests from local customers for the Galerie Gold Fibre Silk. Therefore, this will be available in HK from July 2008.

As said, I am working on the inkjet promotion and now it is in the final stage. For those in HK and Macau, please check the local Ilford website for latest information.

We are now decided to supply directly the wide format papers. It is difficult for dealers to stock and most customers would like to have delivery to their location.

Inkjet prints

For the past three months, I am working on the tests for inkjet printing.

I try to find a way in order for the output services to have photos printed instantly and with similar photographic quality as the desktop printers of anyone, providing they are using the same type of inkjet paper.

Basing on advice from a specialist, my goal can be reached if all have the suitable profile. This seems to be the reason for the ICC profile.

Of course, I have not finished this project. With partial success, I believe that the solution will be accomplished soon.

In contrast to traditional photo printing, inkjet printing with profile can use the same adjustments.

Another problem is the operation. Different versions of Photoshop have different function arrangement. The worst of all is that they use different names or statements for the same thing.

A long time ago, when I intended to raise the photographic standard in Hong Kong, I suggested to the sponsors, Kodak and Canon at that time to work for an English-Chinese Photographic Dictionary. It is because we always misunderstood each other because we were using different Chinese terms for the same thing. I gathered a number of teachers from my Education Program and spent over three years to complete. Then I supplied free of charge to all photographic agencies, shops and schools.

The present inkjet project has similar nature, although this time, it is about my work for a distributor. However, the outcome will be good for all who take digital photos.

Ilford and Harman Inkjet paper

Due to business related activities, I have to work with Ilford and Harman inkjet papers.

In fact, Harman has been established after taking over the B/W film and paper section of the original Ilford. Because of the expansion of digital photography, Harman starts to produce inkjet paper.

I have worked with Ilford inkjet paper for a few months and I am certain that any one can have photo quality inkjet prints easily if one follows the printer setting offered by Ilford.

Harman inkjet paper is another story. Though I have tried once a few months ago with the first sample paper and the second time a few days ago, yet it is confirmed that we need to adjust the image before printing. The quality is exceptional and the cost is much higher.

As requested by my client, I have to work out an advice for users in Hong Kong and Macau. Since this is arranged in my site, www.t-photo.com, the advice is in Chinese and English. The local websites of my client, www.ilfordinkjet.com.hk and www.harmaninkjet.com.hk are in Chinese only.

For those who will like to use Harman inkjet paper, I suggest to read my articles first. The suggestion is to use Photoshop, Image-Adjust-Level. To get this easier to follow, I have a demo to show the procedure.

With such a short time, I am sure that I shall have better control in the future. The reason for me to work this out is because of a show next week, the MIF in Macau (Oct. 18-21). I need to have demonstration for Ilford and Harman inkjet paper printing during the show.

Since inkjet prints may be the major output for digital photography, it is better to understand these two types of inkjet paper.

Harman inkjet paper

Recently, I have to work with another inkjet paper, Harman.

There are three type of inkjet paper, Gloss, Matt and Matt Warmtone. Gloss and matt inkjet papers for color images are excellent. Matt Warmtone is designed for monotone that means B/W. I have some problem because taking digital B/W images is not just point and click.

Also, the printing on Harman inkjet paper requires image sublimation. Although I can have great quality prints, yet it requires more work in order to come up with solid guides for other users. For the time being, I can say that one must use LEVEL adjustment to push up the low value (dark), choose the suitable middle value (mid tone).

Another advice is to keep our photographic judgment since we can easily migrate from photo to fine arts or drawing with any type of image adjustment.

I shall post here for any further information.

The digital photo - inkjet prints

Some years ago when the inkjet had reached 'true 720 dpi', I started to take some tests with the Epson inkjet printer. At that time, photos were taken with film and I had to use Photo CD to have the digital images.

Prints were shown to various masters and all of them did agree that the quality of the inkjet prints was almost photographic. But it was not easy to print, at least, not straight forward.

Within these few years, the dpi reaches 1000, 2000 etc. Drivers are much better and we can use digital camera to take photo and enjoy the drop and print.

Then I start to check when will the films last. About five years ago, I had estimated that film might last for ten more years. It seems that my guess may be right.

Recently due to my part time work, I have to work with the Ilford inkjet paper.

At first, it sounded strange to me because years ago when I started taking photos, it was Ilford B/W film. Certainly their Cyberchrome was another great product. But since I did not work for commercial, it was not my concern.

My tests with the Ilford inkjet paper, in fact, I should not use 'test', all prints are direct from the image files. No adjustment is needed because Ilford has tested advice about the printer setting. In other words, it is just straight printing. Great! That is what modern technology for. We never need to have the burden as before.

For those who are interest to know, I am working in Hong Kong and there is a Chinese site for local users, http://www.ilfordinkjet.com.hk/.