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/.