More Experimentation

Several weeks ago, I published a series of posts (Alternative Printing) about some of the photography related things I was experimenting with. I have a few more items to add to the list.

The first is that I have really been taken by the way photographs can be incorporated into encaustic work. I won’t go into it deeply here, except to say that there is a great deal of experimentation and learning to be done. But I think it will be worth it.

The second is that I have had recommended to me some inkjet papers that are fairly expensive, but the person who recommended them said that images printed on them are fantastic. More specifically, he said that the images seem to lie within the paper and not just on top of it. That’s a pretty bold claim, but I had to find out first hand.

The papers are actually hand made in Japan by a company called Awagami. Luckily, I was able to find a sample pack for a reasonable price and ordered it. The price of the papers determine that it won’t be used for ‘everyday’ printing but if it is really excellent perhaps it would be great for those ‘special images’?!

I just received the paper pack and do have to say that the papers (the pack contains a sample of 16 paper types) are visually beautiful.

Awagami Paper Sample Pack

At this point, I am unsure as to what to test the paper with since there is only one sheet of each. While I would like to see one of my photos printed on them, I don’t think that would really allow me to see all the features of the paper such as it’s contrast, how deep the blacks are, how it holds detail etc. For that reason I am thinking that, as dull as it sounds, the best approach might well be to print a test chart which is made to evaluate how colors and contrast are rendered. The one I use is depicted below.

After I get a chance to make some test prints (icc profiles are available from the manufacturer) I will let you know what I think by posting here. Are they really an improvement over some of the fine art Hahnemuhle papers I have used and loved for some time? We shall see!