About the Prints

I make two types of prints, both with digital processes: photographic prints on traditional light-sensitive paper (for sale), and high quality inkjet prints (for proofs and samples).  Although all of my prints now are made using digital technology,  I do have a few left that were printed with an optical enlarger. 

Traditional Photographic Prints

These prints are made by exposing conventional photosensitive paper to light from digitally controlled LEDs and then processing the exposed paper in RA-4 chemistry, just as in an old-fashioned darkroom.  Nowadays, instead of the darkroom, the whole process can be automated by sophisticated digital machinery.  The lab that produces these prints for me is one of the best in the country and serves some of the world's most noted photographers. 

A big advantage of digital processing is consistency.  Once the nuances of colors and tones in an image have been refined to the satisfaction of the photographer, they can be preserved in a digital file.  Then, with that file and a color calibrated printer, an identical print can be produced on demand at any time.  Color quality and longevity as well as surface finish are still determined by the specific photo paper used.  My prints are all made on Fuji Crystal Archive materials.  In my opinion, their image quality is as good or better than any other available.  My personal favorite is Fujiflex Supergloss.  Fujiflex prints are made on a polyester substrate rather than paper, and the Supergloss finish has an appearance similar to the Cibachromes that used to be printed from film transparencies, often seeming to glow from within.  Independent lab tests indicate the color longevity of Fuji Crystal Archive prints is at least enough to last a lifetime with no apparent change of color when displayed under glass in a normal household setting.  This is a vast improvement over nearly all color photos printed prior to about 1990. 

Inkjet Prints

The technology of inkjet printing has advanced dramatically in recent years,  and the wide color gamuts that are now possible for long-life pigmented inks are very impressive.  As a result, my interest in fine art inkjet printmaking has increased greatly.  Although I currently make only relatively small inkjet prints for color proofs and samples, I may offer some for sale in the future. 

Fine art inkjet prints are sometimes called Giclée (although that's an old term that was originally applied to an outdated inkjet process).  They almost invariably now are made on archival papers with pigmented inks for extreme color longevity.  A wide variety of paper substrates and surface textures are available.  Overall image quality is extremely good, comparing well with that of continuous-tone traditional photographs.  Differences in surface texture and finish are obvious, of course, but for most images the essential color and contrast of inkjet prints and traditional photographic prints are very close.  Normal display life is dependent on the specific ink set and paper chosen.  Many are now laboratory rated at 100 to 200 years or more ... again, a vast improvement over anything available until recently.