The fine art of fine art printing...

Apr 12, 2008 11:18

Fine art printing is one of my favorite aspects of this business.

Printing is a nuanced science. By this, I mean that printing can be defined in technical terms, but it is the final perception by the viewer that defines the print impact.

But it isn't rocket science and it isn't brain surgery.

The first thing a fine-art print shop needs to accomplish is having all of the devices interpret color the same. This is a closed loop calibration and this normalizes the environment. Outside the loop, colors might shift, unless the device outside the loop is given the same calibration specifications. Color calibration does require regular re-calibration because of temperature and humidity changes.

That solves the issue of repeatability. The next step is accuracy.

Accuracy requires understanding the personality of the devices and the media. Every media has unique characteristics. We create about 1200 color patches for each media we use. These patches are read back into the computer with a photospectometer (a device that reads color) and a compensation file is created based on the expected versus the actual color values. This color profile is used by the printer to compensate for any color shifts.

However, there is an infinite number of color frequencies between each of the 1200 patches and this is where the media personalities comes into play. Does the media like blue frequencies? How well does it contrast? How bright is the base material? Stuff like that.

Fine-art printing can be somewhat iterative, but it isn't 'black magic'. I smile every-time I hear a printer try to make the process sound so mysterious.

So anyway, lot's of variables and each project is unique.

Good times and Save the Chief.

The move, Hometime summary and other business related stuff

Apr 11, 2008 13:24

This will be a meek effort to try and become current in a single entry.

The move. Or maybe I should say, The Move. It somehow needs that kind of impact to share what it was like.

I have this bad habit of assuming that if I live long enough (+200 years at this point), I will find a use or a purpose for nearly everything. Consequently, I don't throw much out. This is fine if you have the space to stash all of this crap (for lack of a better term), but if you are moving into a space that requires storage discipline, life can quickly get kind of, um, stressful.

The bottom line is we are moved, the new space is awesome (photos forthcoming) and I think my thumbs are only sprained and not broken. I am still renting half of my old space (saw room, portrait studio and more stashed crap), which is my way of not throwing stuff out.

The photo above was taken last Sunday from Barn Bluff. This gives you an idea of where we are located amongst the other buildings in Red Wing. The people waving in the inset (squint very hard) is the Missus and my older brother (who is one year older today).

Hometime summary. 'Amazing' seems like an appropriate adjective.

The Hometime show was originally broadcast a month ago and is usually shown at different PBS affiliates around the US every Saturday or Sunday, moving from East Coast to West Coast. I think some of the major markets in California will broadcast this weekend.

We have made a lot of new friends from all over the country and the added business has been very nice. I feel very fortunate to have had this level of visibility and there are a number of interesting opportunities and partnerships that have emerged from the Hometime project. I should have something more concrete to share soon. Good stuff.

I want to thank Dean Johnson and his entire crew for thinking of us.

Other business related stuff. We are completely up and operational in the new location. We are still straddling two locations, so that requires a bit more forethought and planning. The new neighborhood is terrific; much more jogger and baby-buggy friendly. The intention will be to use the outside of the building itself as a gallery. This will make more sense when we do it, rather than try to explain it.

And finally, a video study group is forming in Red Wing, with the eventual goal of showing independent video projects. The AV Club of Red Wing. Every member will be required to have white tape on the bridge of his or her glasses. E-mail me if you need more information, but in the meantime, "Save the Chief".

April 1st victim

Apr 02, 2008 12:40

Wow. Hook, line and sinker. Stuff me and mount me on the wall. Put an apple in my mouth and serve me at a picnic.

So, if a friend of yours told you that he he was just awarded an NSF grant (not that he is qualified) to document glow-in-the-dark Antarctic rabbits from an undisclosed 1980's Russian nuclear accident, would you believe him?

I did. Now you can too. Adventure photography. You have to admit, he did a good job.