Bob Walkden wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I'm working towards a small exhibition later this year. I'm shooting
> the photos on Scala, which I plan to have scanned and printed
> digitally. I've been advised to have Iris prints made on watercolour
> paper.
Iris prints are gorgeous. If I had the money, I'd have an Iris printer. :)
> The same person who suggested I use this medium has also recommended
> somebody to do the prints. My questions are: does anybody here have
> any personal experience of Iris prints on watercolour paper? If so,
> what advice can you give me about getting it done? What questions should
> I ask the printer? What information should I offer? How should I evaluate
> his work? How should I make sure he does the best possible job for me?
I have not ever had an Iris print made, only seen them, but the format
has so much potential that really, you should evaluate their work like a
conventional photographic print. Don't "go easy" on it because it's
digital: Iris done right can have every bit as full a tonal range as a
conventional print. A lot will depend on the scan, and lemme tell ya,
Scala's about as easy to scan as Velvia: without a really good scanner
(one with a real healthy density range), you won't get all you can out
of the print.
Here's the good news: the printers are so heavy an investment that
buying one without the other gear to back it up would be lunacy. Before
getting the whole pile of prints done, find out what it would cost you
to do a test image, perhaps smaller, to evaluate the process. If
they're happy with their work, they should be eager to knock yer socks
off. Pick the image with the heaviest detailed blacks that you've got
(and some bright highlights, too, if you can find both extremes in one
image) and let them take a whack at it. If you're happy with the
result, then great. If not, discuss it with them and find out where the
problem lies (it can be as simple as you and whoever's printing having
differing opinions on where the midtones should lie).
Does the person who recommended the printer have a sample that you can
look at and perhaps compare to a conventional print or the original transparency?
-Aaron
p.s. let us know how it goes.
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