Making One Inkjet Print on the Epson 4800 Printer

I mention the type of printer that is being used (part five) because the when you get to the output step - this is specific to this printer (and also the Epson 2400). The other steps, I believe are useful for any sort of inkjet printer. It is also specific in that it begins with a digital capture (not film). I also chose this particular picture because it is the simplest example of how I go from digital to inkjet output. I am not going to cover Photoshop masking, dodging or burning. The idea is to give a general feel for the simplest workflow and the idea behind the picture.

Step One: You've got to actually take the picture.

Passing by the restaurant on 3rd avenue, I noticed the glittering table. I had the Canon 20D around my neck and wasn't much in the mood for shooting anything - I wanted soup, so I kept walking. Maybe another block.

Something about that lighting effect on the table stayed in my mind and I obeyed the urge to turn back. Usually when you feel that you must turn around and get that photograph - there's usually a reason. A reason that you don't understand in the moment.

I used to sit at that table and talk about art and sometimes my friend Dirk would take out a small chess board and we'd discuss endings or make fun of the conversation at the next table.

A waiter came out and watched with a puzzled look as I just stood and contemplated what sort of angle would be best for the photograph. I think they call this pre-visualization. But I'm just thinking about the design. So then I take a few shots, trying to get the highlight at it's strongest point. I look at the camera's histogram. This is very strong backlight. How is the digital camera going to handle this. Should I under-expose or just let the specular highlights blow out. I opt for the latter..

There were the usual questions: where to stand, what F-stop to use? I only had the 28mm with me so at least I didn't need to decide which lens to use.

I didn't want anything that would be too abstract. I wanted it to look like a table, so I wanted a piece of the silvery chair in the background as well. I also wanted to echo the idea of the table with it's diamonds as a chessboard with what I saw as two queens left standing.

Here is what the original RAW MODE CAPTURE looks like:

Since this is a digital shot, I have all the technical information at hand:

Camera: Canon 20D

Lens: 28mm prime

Mode: Camera Raw

Date: 6/23/05 3:31 p.m

ASA: 200

F-STOP: 5.6

Bright sunlight. Plenty of f/stop shutter speed combos to use. I just wanted enough Depth of Field but I also knew that f5.6 was the sweet point of the lens.

I took three shots. And I do remember, that on the way back home, about a half hour later, I passed the table and looked at it and the lighting had changed and the whole thing looked flat and uninteresting.

CONTINUE TO PAGE TWO

Making One Inkjet Print on the Epson 4800 Printer