.

Bronzing

Technique - Printing  Comment
0 Likes

Bronzing is an iridescent flash of color, typically bronze, produced when viewing prints under varying angles of light. It’s produced by pigmented ink’s tendency to refract light. It’s most visible in black and white prints but affects color prints as well. It affects glossy surfaces almost exclusively.    

Optimum choice of ink and precise placement makes the difference. Recently, new separation routines and screening algorithms have been devised to place droplets of specific ink colors, in specific patterns, in combination with other inks to dramatically reduce bronzing.

How can you identify bronzing? Look at the surface of a glossy print in near direct light. Change the angle of the print and look for a flash of bronze near areas of glare.

What can you do to eliminate bronzing? Choose the best inksets and drivers. (Optionally, print on a matte surface.) This will all but eliminate bronzing in your prints.

Read more with my online Printing Resources.

Learn more in my digital photography and digital printing workshops.

I Use – Giotto's Rocket Air Blaster

Tools  Comment
0 Likes


It’s a first line of defense. Before you touch your sensor, see if you can blow the dust off. Don’t blow with your mouth. Spit happens. Don’t blow with canned air. Spit still happens. Try a manual blower like this one.
Check out more of the gear I Use on this blog (search for Equipment), on this site, and in my AStore.
Check out my field workshops here.
Get a 20% discount on my Iceland (8/18-22) workshop here – expires 8/10.
Get a 15% discount on my Fall Foliage (10/17-20) workshop here – until 8/17.
The first 5 Insights Members get $1000 off South America (2/2-14/09), thereafter $250.
Space just became available in my workshop in Namibia.

Metamerism

Technique - Printing  Comment
0 Likes

3500 K

5000 K

6500 K

Metameric failure is the tendency of an object to change its appearance under different light sources. Different light sources, even of the same color temperature, are often comprised of differing amounts of spectral frequencies (i.e. red or blue frequencies). Some objects change appearance more quickly than others; they are more metameric. This is true when comparing dye-based inks with pigmented inks. As pigments are made of irregular particles, they tend to refract (reflect and bend) light more strongly than uniform dye globules. The most current ink technology coats pigment particles in resin to reduce this effect. Additionally, some color pigments, typically the most saturated ones, are more prone to metamerism. By separating the file differently and using more of the less metameric ink to reproduce an image, the print’s appearance stability is increased. This is particularly important when reproducing neutrals, as small shifts in hue are quickly detected in these colors.

How can you evaluate metameric failure? Make two prints of the same image (preferably containing significant neutrals) and compare them side by side in different light sources.

What can you do to reduce metameric failure? Use the latest inksets and drivers (with the latest separation routines). And, when practical, standardize the light your prints are viewed under. Can metamerism be completely eliminated? No. Everything is metameric. But metameric failure in prints can be reduced to the point where it is no longer significant or noticeable.

With new technologies come new possibilities and new challenges. Recent advances in inkjet technology (ink formulation, separation routines, and screening algorithms) are making noticeable gloss differential, bronzing, and metameric failure things of the past. It pays to stay informed of the latest developments in printing technology. Your prints will simply get better.

Read more with my online Printing Resources.

Learn more in my digital photography and digital printing workshops.

Search

Websites  Comment
0 Likes


Looking for something specifc on this website?
Use the new Google Search feature – located in the top right corner of the nav bar.
This doesn’t replace the Search and Categories features for this blog.
It adds Search for the rest of this website.
So, next time you’re looking for information on a specific topic, use the Search feature!
You can add Google search to your website too. Found out more here.

I Use – iPhone … for Photographs? Yes!

Tools  Comment
0 Likes


Do I actually use my iPhone to make photographs? Yes! You’ve seen many of them here on my blog. I don’t use my iPhone to make exhibition quality prints. But, I use it to make snapshots and take quick notes. I’m out for drinks with friends – iPhone. I want to stay in touch with my family while I’m away – iPhone. I’m in a museum and I want a quick sketch – iPhone. I’m in a bookstore and I want to make a note of a book cover or something inside it – iPhone. The toughest thing about the iPhone is my 6 year old son wants to use it all the time. I’ve found the best insurance policy for both my iPhone and my professional cameras is to get him his own digital point and shoot.
I use this piece of gear in all of my workshops – everyday really.
Check out this product and many others I use in my AStore here.
Check out my PDF Reviews here.
Check out my field workshops here.
Get a 20% discount on my Iceland (8/18-22) workshop here – expires 8/10.
Get a 15% discount on my Fall Foliage (10/17-20) workshop here – until 8/17.
The first 5 Insights Members get $1000 off South America (2/2-14/09), thereafter $250.
Space just became available in my workshop in Namibia.

I Use – Canon G9 Underwater Housing

Tools  Comment
0 Likes


Looking for a new perspective! Take your camera underwater! Stills. Video. It’s so much fun! Worried? Don’t be. I do it all the time. So do many professional underwater photographers. Just get a good housing.
This is the underwater housing I use for my Canon G9.
On my wish list … a housing for my 1DSMKIII.
Check out this product and many others I use in my AStore here.
Check out my PDF Reviews here.
Check out my field workshops here.
Get a 20% discount on my Iceland (8/18-22) workshop here – expires 8/10.
Get a 15% discount on my Fall Foliage (10/17-20) workshop here – until 8/17.
The first 5 Insights Members get $1000 off South America (2/2-14/09), thereafter $250.
Space just became available in my workshop in Namibia.

I Use – Canon G9 Camera

Tools  Comment
0 Likes


I feel photographers should have at least two cameras. One for high resolution images in print and one to play with.
Jay Maisel’s advice is “Never go anywhere without a camera.” It’s great advice! You never know when something magical will happen and if you don’t have a camera with you, you won’t be able to photograph it. Small point and shoot cameras make it easier to follow this advice.
I use my Canon G9 to document all kinds of events in my life. It gets me making images in ways I wouldn’t ordinarily. This helps me become more versatile and has beneficial effects on my professional work as well as my personal life. Most of the images you see on this blog are made with either my G9 or my iPhone. Most of my family pictures are now made with my G9, sometimes by my six year old son.
Do I ever make exhibition quality prints from images made with my G9? Yes! Its 12.1mp resolution exceeds the resolution of 35mm film.
Is it full featured? Yes! It has most of the features of a DSLR except interchangeable lenses. But, the G9’s lens has an impressive 6x optical zoom with image stabilization.
I’m not saying it replaces my Canon 1DSMKIII DSLR. Maybe one day small cameras like this will replace larger ones. Right now, they create a new niche. That means more photographs are being taken – sometimes more interesting pictures as a result.
Oh, and in a pinch, don’t forget your cell phone. Pulitzer Prize winning pictures have been made with cell phones.
Find out more about the Canon G9 here.
Check out this product and many others I use in my AStore here.
Check out my PDF Reviews here.
Check out my field workshops here.
Get a 20% discount on my Iceland (8/18-22) workshop here – expires 8/10.
Get a 15% discount on my Fall Foliage (10/17-20) workshop here – until 8/17.
The first 5 Insights Members get $1000 off South America (2/2-14/09), thereafter $250.
Space just became available in my workshop in Namibia.

New Statements

Images - Statements  Comment
0 Likes


Writing is an integral part of my creative process. First, writing helps me clarify my thoughts and feelings about my work. Then, it helps me communicate about it to others.
Find out how writing can help you in my free Creativity PDFs.
I’ve written three new Artist’s Statements this summer …
The World is Speaking
Resacralizing Nature
Pilgrimage
You can read them here.
You can hear me speak about my new work in person at 2 pm during my Annual Exhibit 8/2-3.
Order your copy of my new Antarctica book here.
Stay tuned for more content from this weekend with multiple posts each day.
New images will be posted tonight!

New Book – Antarctica

Books  Comment
0 Likes


It’s a r/evolution in publishing.
And it’s fueled by on demand book printing services like Blurb.
And content producers like you.
And me.
I’m finally in!
My first Blurb book Antarctica contains 45 images and 2 essays.
The size is 8×10 inches.
It sells for 34.95 for softcover and 49.95 for hardcover.
Get a signed copy of my book at my Annual Exhibit 8/2-3. Find out more here.
Order your copy of my Antarctica book here.
Note, there are two Antarctica books. One for the Blurb contest submission and one newly improved. Order the latest one that includes minor edits and better production values.
Get portable PDF galleries of my Antarctica images here.
Get this month’s desktop calendar image from Antarctica here.
Read about Antarctica here.
Sign up for Insights for alerts and special discounts on new resources.