Re: paintography with the epson750

[Royce Bair - The Stock Solution <royce@tssphoto.com>]

<x-flowed>Peter <sandiego@i-manila.com.ph> wrote:
>I've really enjoyed using the Epson 750 printer and am happy with the
>results I'm getting.  I've joined a local camera club and participated in
>two of their contests.  This latest contest is paintography and since I've
>been hearing a lot of small talk (mostly concerning my "unfair advantage"
>due to the digital format I'm using), I'd like to ask if it is really
>against the rules to paint using the computer or rather color a grey scale
>photograph and print it out.  Being called a cheater is no fun at all.
>Initially I thought I would be welcome since I'm bringing in a new
>format... doesn't seem so.

Hand-painting B/W photographs with transparent color dyes has been 
around since the beginning of photography, and probably reached its 
apex during the early 1950's -- just as color photography was 
starting (Kodacolor was introduced in 1946) to replace this process. 
Today, Kodacolor prints from that era are about 80% faded away, while 
the hand-colored B/W prints are still quite brilliant due to the 
fade-resistant dyes and the silver/gelatin photo process.

The results from hand-coloring the prints or digital hand-coloring 
are about the same, except that you can probably do it faster and 
more precise (you can enlarge your image on the screen), and you can 
easily UNdo mistakes.  This is probably what bothers your peers the 
most.  I say, what's wrong with technology if the results are the 
same, or even improved?  Would they complain if a new, easier to 
apply and remove dye came out (or would they refuse to use it)?  How 
about a new applicator brush that was easier and more accurate to use 
than cotton swabs or Q-tips?  I don't think they would refuse to use 
these "analog" or hands-on advances in technology, but they'll sneer 
at the digital user -- who is only using the computer as an another 
tool or extension of his hands.

(A little sideline comparison about this type of art snobbery: When 
canvas was first introduced as a medium for oil painting (about the 
14th Century?), many artists initially refuse to switch from their 
hard boards to this more portable and flexible medium.)

The only other question should be about permanence:  If you output 
your digitally colored B/W prints to a regular (OEM) inkjet ink and 
paper combination, your prints are only going to last about 3 to 5 
years at the most (about as long as the original Kodacolor prints) 
before noticeable fading occurs.

You can find light-fast ink and paper combinations on our Web site at:

http://www.tssphoto.com/sp/dg/archival_inks.html
or...
http://www.tssphoto.com/sp/dg/luminos/index.html

Although Lyson and Luminos do not have "archival" ink cartridges for 
the 750 or the 1200 printers at the moment, we have been told that 
they will be available this fall.

    Royce Bair, Director
    royce@tssphoto.com
    The Stock Solution - "Inkjet Solutions" Division
	Try our new secure on-line order form!
    http://www.InkjetArt.com/
-----------------------------------------

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