By RICK SAMMON
Associated Press
Reprinted from our partner, augusta.com
Not too many years ago, shutterbugs used to spend hours in the darkroom mixing dektol and fixer, adjusting the enlarger and watching images slowly materialize from blank pieces of paper. What fun!
But many of these shutterbugs, as well as a new generation of
photographers, have turned their creative photography efforts
toward the darkroom of the new millennium: They print
their own pictures in the digital darkroom, which
includes a computer, monitor, digital imaging program
and inkjet printer.
Computers and imaging programs have been around for
years, but high-quality and affordable inkjet printers
are relatively new.
Today, for about $250, you can get an inkjet printer
that will make a very good print; some of your friends
may not be able to tell the difference between these
inkjet prints and standard photography prints. Spend
about $500 on an inkjet and you'll be able to make
large, high-quality prints, with more colors, and at a
faster rate.
No matter which brand of printer you choose, here are
some things to consider:
Budget. Don't spend so much on a printer that you will
not be able to buy lots of papers and ink cartridges.
These are expenses that can add up quickly.
Quality. The higher the DPI (dots per inch), the better
your picture quality. When comparing printers, be sure
to check the DPI.
Check the number of colors. A five-color
printer/cartridge will give you a more colorful print
than a three-color printer/cartridge.
Speed. Some printers make great prints at a slow rate.
Others make OK prints at a fast rate. Check the
printing rate before you buy to prevent frustration
during the printing process. Keep in mind that a
computer with a fast processor will process a print
faster than a computer with a slow processor.
Want to save some money when making prints in your
digital darkroom? Here are some tips:
Cut your own paper. Sure, photo-quality inkjet paper is
the best choice for photo-quality prints. But if you
want to add an artistic touch to your prints, use
standard watercolor paper, available at art-supply
stores. If you buy 2-by-3-foot sheets and cut them
yourself, you'll save a bundle.
Make a test print. At first, what you see on your
computer screen may not match the print; making several
prints at different color and brightness settings is
sometimes required to get picture-perfect results.
Rather than print the entire image, print only a small
area of the image, perhaps only 20 percent or 30
percent of the entire picture area, on a small sheet of
paper. That way, you can make adjustments in
brightness, sharpness, color and contrast (which are
usually necessary) without wasting ink and paper.
Another thing to keep in mind is the archival quality
of an inkjet print. Prints will last longer if you use
archival ink and archival paper. It's also a good idea
to keep inkjet prints (as well as standard photo
prints) out of direct sunlight.
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