Re: Quad black - help!

[DS <dws1@wwa.com>]

Stuart,

I don't work with quadtonetone inks so I'm not sure if this method will 
work for you but it's worth a shot for the B&Ws (not the brown liths 
though). I use it all the time for initial color balancing before doing 
any other color correction work. It's sort of like a non-existent scanner 
profile workaround if you will. 

Do you by chance have a Kodak Grayscale stepwedge or access to one? If so 
try this:

1) Place the stepwedge on your scanner along with whatever prints you are 
scanning in RGB.  

2) Once the image opens in Photoshop, call up the Curves dialog box and 
double-click on the middle eyedropper tool to invoke the Color Picker. 

3) In the *RGB* radio button area, enter your neutral midtone values as 
128/128/128 and click OK. 

4) In the still open Curves dialog box, be certain the midtones/middle 
eyedropper tool is still selected (it sometimes deselects itself).

5) Click the eyedropper tool on the midtone patch of the grayscale wedge 
in your scan and voila! instant (RGB) neutrality. If the image appears 
too dark or light to your taste or compared to the original, use the 
keyboard shortcut for the Undo command while Curves is still open, and 
then just click the grayscale patch to the left or right of your first 
click to lighten or darken the image.  Crop the stepwedge out of the 
image and you're good to go.

Keep in mind that since this is a post- rather then pre-scan 
"manipulation" you may get better results if your scanner and its 
software give you the capability to set your highlight, midtone and 
shadow points in a preview scan before making the final scan. If so, this 
will result in less image quantization.

I'd be interested in hearing back if this works for your quadtone inks as 
it does under normal RGB/CMYK situations.

Cheers,

David

>>Stuart Redler wrote:
>>
>> I am a photographer and am attempting to reproduce my folio of B&W and Lith
>> (ie slightly brown) prints via an Epson 1200/Photoshop and iMac. The prints
>> were scanned in RGB. I am having major problems getting the colors balanced
>> and wonder if someone can advise me.
>>
>> I'm finding it very difficult to get totally neutral B&W prints. The
>> predominant cast I usually get is green, especially in the shadow areas.
<snip>
>> I admit I am very inexperienced using Photoshop but I do know the basics if
>> color control via curves etc, however I am finding the whole process a bit
>> of a nightmare.Is this because I am inexperiened at color control or could
>> there be another reason?
<snip>
>> Stuart Redler
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