So, when I printed silver gelatin, I did my maximum black test in 1/2 stop increments, each strip varying from the adjacent by the square root of 2. The usual progression in seconds was 5,7,10,14,20... at the standard enlarger aperture of f/8.
Great set of videos, very timely for me. I wonder if you would have any advice about the process for a direct to plate process for photogravure? I'm thinking I would just expose the plate itself for the black point then print the curves on the plate in bits..do you think this would work? Also, should I use Quick Curve or Quick Curve DN for this?
I think I'm ready to try this again. (I finally got a satisfactory max-black after several attempts). My first attempt at the blocking curve didn't work, so I looked it up for cyanotype and from what Christina Anderson said in her book (pg 52 in "cyanotype, the blueprint in contemporary practice"), you need to reduce the ink density by about -30% for cyanotypes when using the P800. My question is, is there a way to do that in Print Tool? Or can you suggest something else? also, did you print the blocking density curve in color or b&w (convert in Photoshop)? thanks so much for doing this and look forward to the next step! I just wish the domestic chores didn't keep getting in the way! lol!
Superb tuition. I do have a question regarding printing the step tablet onto the film using the P800. Do you print with Matte Black Ink (MK) or Photo Black Ink (PK) or doesn't it matter.
As a first year Fine Art student I was gripped by this series. I just about convinced myself that the 39 dollar layout out of my very limited reserves was justified. Now I find that I would need to layout a minimum of 90 dollars more for a further software programme which at this stage I simply can’t afford. (The pro programme is even more!). Perhaps you should highlight this at the start. It’s a real shame as this is something I really wanted to pursue. :(
Hi Olmo! First... Thank you for signing up through Patreon! As for the Matt black ink, I do not recommend using it if you can switch to the regular photo black. It's not so much the density as the way the ink lays on the film. It has caused problems for me in the past, but others have had success. Best thing is to just give it a try and do a comparison test. Hope this helps!
Hi Bill- I downloaded all the software including Quadtone Profiler Quick Curve DN 2.3 and can't move the QCDN 8-ink Quad file to QuadTone RIP. No matter what I do QTR wont accept the Quad file. I'm using version 2.3 and you used version 1.5. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do or who I can talk to so I can get unstuck. If I can't move that Quad file into QTR I can't go any further. Lastly, I just want to say how much I appreciate this series of videos on making digital negatives which is a little complicated and your instruction has made it doable. Let me know if you have any suggestions. Thanks, George Scafidi, Sonoma CA.
When I try to install the "QCDN-Blocking-Density-Curve-8-ink.quad" file it does not install properly and I get an error message "Permission Denied". All of the .txt files install properly but not the .quad file. Can you tell me how to fix this problem? Thanks, I appreciate your help.
Hi There. Try reinstalling the QTR package over itself. It will not harm any curves already installed. Sometimes when Apple updates it's IOS, the package needs to be reinstalled to clear the permissions. Once you've done this, run the command file again and the curve should load.Hope this helps!
Thanks for all the info: Wanted to ask - in your opinion, if I want to print both digital negatives and typical inkjet prints - I have a P600 - will the DN version of quickcurve suffice for both, or will I need the standard K3 quickcurve version too?
If you mean can you print both the digital negatives and color prints with the same inks... Yes. Only use the QTR for the negs. Use your standard Epson driver for printing your color images.
First of all thank you for the great videos. I am trying to follow along but in my resources folder i do not have the same .quad files. I have 3 folders you do not have "p700-p900", "x800-x890, P4000, P6000, P8000" and "X900, P5000, P7000, P9000". The folders inside are "x800-Carbon-Blocking-Test.quad", "x800-IlfordMG-Blocking-Test.quad", "x800-Lodima-Blocking-Test-v2.quad" and "x800-Standard-Blocking-Test-v2.quad". I assume I should use "x800-Standard-Blocking-Test-v2.quad" since I am using a P800. Is this the correct file on some updated version or did I do something wrong?
That would be your correct starting point. There have been updates to the program since I made the video and they are adding the new printers. I also delete all of my unused printer profiles out of my profiles folder. I hope this helps!
Hi Bill. I have QuadToneProfiler-QuickCurve. In your video you use the DN version. What is the difference? Do I have to switch to the DN version to make digital negatives? thank you.
Hi Pierre. Yes, the DN version is for digital negatives. I don’t have any experience with the other one, so I can’t say any further about it. Hope this helps!
Hi Gary, yes, it will still work with what Bill is doing in these videos, you’ll just use the QCDN setup option from the startup screen. The linearization is basically the same as the original qcdn app, just with a few nicer features in the Pro-DN app.
I am using an Epson p6000, it uses a 9 ink set. There is no QCDN-Blocking -Density-Curve for-9-ink.quad in the Quad Tone Profiler. Should I go with the 8 or 10 ink density curve quad, or am I out of luck trying to use this program with my printer? Thanks
Just when I think- I don't need to watch this. I know all this already. I watch it and learn something new. Thanks!
Ha! Cool. Thanks for watching, Greg. Means a lot.
Greg, do you use the Quick Curve or Quick Curve DN for this. Also, can you do a black point strip of just blank plate?
Thanks for those videos Bill, they are really good !
Thank you! I hope they help!
Aaaaargh,this is melting my brain.
But, thank you sooo much for sharing your experience.
Thank you.
Thankyou for sharing this knowledge
You’re such a good teacher.
I wish you good health and best days ahead sir.
Thank you so much!
So, when I printed silver gelatin, I did my maximum black test in 1/2 stop increments, each strip varying from the adjacent by the square root of 2. The usual progression in seconds was 5,7,10,14,20... at the standard enlarger aperture of f/8.
Great set of videos, very timely for me. I wonder if you would have any advice about the process for a direct to plate process for photogravure? I'm thinking I would just expose the plate itself for the black point then print the curves on the plate in bits..do you think this would work? Also, should I use Quick Curve or Quick Curve DN for this?
Do a Google search on clay Harmon photogravure. He’s a good friend and he knows more about direct to plate than anybody that I know. Thank you!
Thank you very much,
Thank you for watching!
I think I'm ready to try this again. (I finally got a satisfactory max-black after several attempts). My first attempt at the blocking curve didn't work, so I looked it up for cyanotype and from what Christina Anderson said in her book (pg 52 in "cyanotype, the blueprint in contemporary practice"), you need to reduce the ink density by about -30% for cyanotypes when using the P800. My question is, is there a way to do that in Print Tool? Or can you suggest something else? also, did you print the blocking density curve in color or b&w (convert in Photoshop)? thanks so much for doing this and look forward to the next step! I just wish the domestic chores didn't keep getting in the way! lol!
Thanks for all of your great info. Do you know of anyone or any labs that offer printing negatives from digital files as a service?
Superb tuition. I do have a question regarding printing the step tablet onto the film using the P800. Do you print with Matte Black Ink (MK) or Photo Black Ink (PK) or doesn't it matter.
Hi Ian. I have not use the Matt black, but I do know that others have used it successfully. Are use the regular photo black in my workflow.
Awesome. Thank you so much.
As a first year Fine Art student I was gripped by this series. I just about convinced myself that the 39 dollar layout out of my very limited reserves was justified. Now I find that I would need to layout a minimum of 90 dollars more for a further software programme which at this stage I simply can’t afford. (The pro programme is even more!). Perhaps you should highlight this at the start. It’s a real shame as this is something I really wanted to pursue. :(
Bill, Once we coat our paper and cut our strips how long will the strips be good for? I have them in a light tight box.
Hi Stephen. As long as light tight and not too warm, They should be fine for some time. I'm on part 4 right now and should have it out soon.
@@BillSchwab Great! Thank You. It has been a great series.
Great videos, thanks! I have a question: Is the first density scale check step the same if I use Matte Black Ink?
Hi Olmo! First... Thank you for signing up through Patreon! As for the Matt black ink, I do not recommend using it if you can switch to the regular photo black. It's not so much the density as the way the ink lays on the film. It has caused problems for me in the past, but others have had success. Best thing is to just give it a try and do a comparison test. Hope this helps!
Hi Bill- I downloaded all the software including Quadtone Profiler Quick Curve DN 2.3 and can't move the QCDN 8-ink Quad file to QuadTone RIP. No matter what I do QTR wont accept the Quad file. I'm using version 2.3 and you used version 1.5. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do or who I can talk to so I can get unstuck. If I can't move that Quad file into QTR I can't go any further. Lastly, I just want to say how much I appreciate this series of videos on making digital negatives which is a little complicated and your instruction has made it doable. Let me know if you have any suggestions. Thanks, George Scafidi, Sonoma CA.
Let me digest this a bit and get back with you.
Hi Bill- It took me 5 days, but I finally figured it. On to the next step. Thanks anyway, George.
@@eyeforbeauty1952 I’m so glad, George! I couldn’t figure out what was up.
When I try to install the "QCDN-Blocking-Density-Curve-8-ink.quad" file it does not install properly and I get an error message "Permission Denied". All of the .txt files install properly but not the .quad file. Can you tell me how to fix this problem? Thanks, I appreciate your help.
Hi There. Try reinstalling the QTR package over itself. It will not harm any curves already installed. Sometimes when Apple updates it's IOS, the package needs to be reinstalled to clear the permissions. Once you've done this, run the command file again and the curve should load.Hope this helps!
@@BillSchwab Thank you for your help. That worked great!
Thanks for all the info: Wanted to ask - in your opinion, if I want to print both digital negatives and typical inkjet prints - I have a P600 - will the DN version of quickcurve suffice for both, or will I need the standard K3 quickcurve version too?
If you mean can you print both the digital negatives and color prints with the same inks... Yes. Only use the QTR for the negs. Use your standard Epson driver for printing your color images.
First of all thank you for the great videos. I am trying to follow along but in my resources folder i do not have the same .quad files. I have 3 folders you do not have "p700-p900", "x800-x890, P4000, P6000, P8000" and "X900, P5000, P7000, P9000". The folders inside are "x800-Carbon-Blocking-Test.quad", "x800-IlfordMG-Blocking-Test.quad", "x800-Lodima-Blocking-Test-v2.quad" and "x800-Standard-Blocking-Test-v2.quad". I assume I should use "x800-Standard-Blocking-Test-v2.quad" since I am using a P800. Is this the correct file on some updated version or did I do something wrong?
That would be your correct starting point. There have been updates to the program since I made the video and they are adding the new printers. I also delete all of my unused printer profiles out of my profiles folder. I hope this helps!
what brand and model of scanner you are using?
Epson V750.
Hi Bill. I have QuadToneProfiler-QuickCurve. In your video you use the DN version. What is the difference? Do I have to switch to the DN version to make digital negatives? thank you.
Hi Pierre. Yes, the DN version is for digital negatives. I don’t have any experience with the other one, so I can’t say any further about it. Hope this helps!
@@BillSchwab perfect answer :) thanks
@@pierrez8455 Apparently the other one is for processes that don't use a digital negative like DTP photogravure.
I bought Richard's profiler pro DN, will I still be able to use it for your videos Bill
Excellent, Gary. Standby. I’m working on part four as we speak. It’s time to do our starter curve and build off that.
Hi Gary, yes, it will still work with what Bill is doing in these videos, you’ll just use the QCDN setup option from the startup screen. The linearization is basically the same as the original qcdn app, just with a few nicer features in the Pro-DN app.
@@RichardBoutwellPhotography Thank you, Richard!
@@RichardBoutwellPhotography Brilliant, Thanks Richard
I am using an Epson p6000, it uses a 9 ink set. There is no QCDN-Blocking -Density-Curve for-9-ink.quad in the Quad Tone Profiler. Should I go with the 8 or 10 ink density curve quad, or am I out of luck trying to use this program with my printer? Thanks
Question answered....the 8 ink QCDN quad works with the P6000
Glad you got the answer Andre. Beat me to it.