jonathan_bourla1 Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 Hello. Until now I have been printing my black & white prints on Epson Velvet Fine Art paper, which I have really liked. I recently had an exhibition in which two photographers commented to the gallery owner that my prints looked a bit flat. Now, having looked at these photographers' web sites I'm not sure I should trust their judgement, but I got myself samples of Crane Museo Silver Rag and Hahnemuhle Fine Art Pearl to try. Silver Rag was very cream in colour, and I didn't feel it would be suitable as a universal paper for both warm and cool-toned images. The Fine Art Pearl looked very snappy, but the white is very white, almost brash looking. Also I missed the surface texture of the Velvet Fine Art. Also is it difficult to frame Fine Art Pearl, trying to find such bright white acid-free mats? I sell prints either framed, or more usually wrapped in cellophane with a backing board, which I assume the purchasers just hand to a framer. So I doubt they will hold a print in their hands, and view it without anything in front of the print's surface. So I'm confused. I like Velvet for its subtle texture and general look and feel, but Fine Art Pearl seems snappier. I wonder if customers would be drawn more to the Fine Art Pearl's greater contrast. What are your thoughts? Thanks for your help. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marek_fogiel Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 Try the Ilford's Gold Fibre Silk, better than Fine Art Pearl for half the price, and with a slightly less white background. Great for slightly toned prints too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beartooth1 Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 I use Ilford's Galerie Smooth pearl. I think the look is very natural. http://www.ilford.com/en/products/galerie/index.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kory gunnarsen Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 The Gold Fibre Silk is more of a semi-matte paper than a gloss. It will give you more pop in your prints than the Velvet but not as much as the Silver Rag. Another to try is the Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Pearl or Innova Ultrasmooth Gloss. The ultrasmooth gloss is the highest gloss, almost too high for many. The photo rag pearl is my favorite and I print on all these papers all day long. It is not a very high gloss but enough to get a very deep black. Similar to Epson luster texture. One thing to do is get sample packs of each and go to town by printing the same image on each on to compare and contrast. If you need any more advice give a call. 1.800.761.6623 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger_smith4 Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 If it's behind glass, FAP and Silver Rag might look washed out because of reflections and surface texture, and matte papers will look more vibrant. I'm finding this to be the case with Epson Premium Luster and Silver Rag on a wall that gets some direct sunlight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor_moss Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 I am in a somewhat similar situation. Love EVFA and HPR. Trying out HFAP and the Baryta papers. If you find the white in HFAP brash then the Ilford Gold will be even brasher. The prints will definitely have more pop. My current assessment is that certain b/w images work better on these papers than on matte papers. Behind glass, it depends on lighting. In a proper gallery with well set light and framed with anti-reflection glasses, these papers can look really well. Under average conditions things will balance out a bit due to higher reflection from the semi-gloss prints. Ideally I would like to have both options available at the same time. Oh well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beauh44 Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 It's probably too white for your tastes and it's way too expensive (imho) but I've made prints with Epson's new "Exhibition Fiber" paper and my 3800 printer that blew me away. To my eye, they're the closest thing I've seen to a B&W darkroom print coming out of an inkjet printer. I've gotten a bit addicted to it. I tried going back to Ilford's Pearl and Premium Luster (both are much cheaper) but ended up back with the new - and expensive - Epson EF paper. I do think some images will still do better printed on something like Velvet Fine Art paper but some may benefit by the "pop" of a more glossy, contrasty paper. I guess that can go with one's style of photography. But it's really eye-catching stuff. Exhibition Fiber is very much in the contrasty category and it's also very white. You might want to try it - just get ready for sticker shock on the price. But if you like the look of that kind of paper at all, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how well it does - at least with Epson's newer inks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_bourla1 Posted April 14, 2008 Author Share Posted April 14, 2008 Thanks everyone for your responses. I'll keep looking in case others may add their thoughts, but thank you all so far. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger_smith4 Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Of the new papers I suggest you try Harman FB Al. Very smooth surface, extremely deep blacks and quite sharp. It almost looks like a glossy print, however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markfields Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I would like to ask a question. I have bought a box of epson Exhibition fine art paper- the fiber paper). I love it. I had had 8 by 10 samples and there was no problem. I bought a box of 13 by 19 paper. and it has a curl like warped section that runs the long way about 3/4 of the way through long way of the whole batch, almost as if it was standing on its side and it kind of sagged and developed a warped strip through all of it all 25 sheets. The surface is not damaged in any way. Does anyone know if I lay it flat with a light weight flat weight over the batch if it will flatten that area? Could it be defective? Will the moisture from the ink cause it to relax? Will moisture and time allow it to "relax"? I am not sure if I could print them now and corner mount them and the warped strip (about 3 inches) would flatten. The prints would be corner mounted, not dry/cold mounted and they would be over matted to 3/8th inch of the image area. Has anyone else had this issue with this or any other paper? (my next choice is Hahnemuhle Baryta paper as it is a little thicker. I was surprised to see this in such expensive paper. I did not see the in the 8 by 10's I know if i were going to cold mount them this would probably not be a problem as I expect them to print ok since the roller in my 2400 will hold it flat. I only corner mount my prints or use archival overlapping strips so if the warped section does not flatten, it would still be there. But what about after they are printed? I would take a chance on printing one or two to see what happens but i hope (smile) to return them to B and H in NYC when I visit there next week. any ideas? Thanks, mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markfields Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 PS I decided to send it back to B and H in NYC. it is clear to me that something was wrong with the batch. But i still would enjoy hearing others thoughts. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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