So, you want great B&W prints from your printer - what you need to do

Keith looks at the different aspects of a black and white print workflow...
Why you need to look at the whole process and how your basic printing just needs a well set up monitor, a good printer and understanding how a test image lets you fine tune the process and to choose the best papers for your images.
There are many videos in the 'Black and White' playlist on this channel.
All of Keith's many articles and videos are linked from the B&W index page on Keith's Northlight Images web site:
www.northlight-images.co.uk/d...
The test images and links to explanatory articles are at:
www.northlight-images.co.uk/t...

[@trifin5772]

Excellent video. Thanks for this and all the others - really useful.

[@KeithCooper]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gauravanand05]

Hi Keith, this requested video came quickly! Thanks. Very useful information for me coming as I do from a darkroom process.

[@KeithCooper]

Glad it was helpful! I wanted to get the B&W version shot whilst I could still remember the colour version - none of my videos are scripted...

[@davecarrera]

I'm very pleased with the B&W from my Canon Pro 300 I purchased after watching, and reading, your review Keith.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks Dave!

[@RasTuft]

Great video Keith. Thanks.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks

[@tundrusphoto4312]

Very much appreciated, Keith.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks

[@Dr.GeoDave]

Thanks for creating this video. I’ve been struggling with digital black and white printing having done darkroom printing in my early years.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - do check the info on the site. I've been writing stuff about digital B&W for nearly 20 years - the videos only go back 2 yrs ;-) www.northlight-images.co.uk/digital-black-and-white-photography/

[@mikepenny2491]

Another good video and thanks

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks

[@gerarbara]

Hi Keith. I know that this channel is mainly about the printing processes, but have you thought about videos showing the earlier stages? Like the actual photography and/or your editing process? I have learnt so much about the printing process from watching these videos. Eg I didn't know how to spot out of gamut colours before.

[@KeithCooper]

I do have a few looking at this already, particularly relating to black and white (there is a B&W play-list) However it is definitely something I'm looking at, now that I finally believe the guy from Canon who convinced me to give YT a go, and people seem to be interested in my stuff (I had doubts). I do want the channel to be more than just print - hence the tilt/shift and other lens info, however I need to see how to fit this together. In particular I do not want to make 'how-to' step by step guides and will not be using Lightroom any time soon! ;-) :-)

[@gerarbara]

@@KeithCooper That sounds good. I use Affinity Photo anyway 🙂

[@bizpixvegas7651]

Hi Keith, I use Photoshop for my processing. I too, would be interested in seeing your workflow. My prints are not that good and I use a Canon Pro-100 printer.

[@mattsprojects926]

Hey Keith! Love the videos! I have a question that I have been struggling to find real help with. I am an artist and draw mainly in graphite/charcoal. Almost all of my art is in the gray scale. I am wanting to start producing prints but really only want the ability to print in B&W in in very nice detail. Obviously there will still be editing and workflow need, but I really just need guidance on the printer aspect being that most of my art will already be in the black and white category. Any thoughts?

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks Ah, I always spot when people use the word 'only' in a wishlist ;-) Very good scanning/photography, editing, well set-up screen, good media selection, B&W print modes, pigment ink. Add to that, the business aspects - it's art, so there are always business aspects... It is a workflow - the printer choice is just one part and ties in with all the other aspects ;-)

[@mattsprojects926]

@@KeithCooper I completely agree. Because I will "mainly", haha, be printing in B&W, I've been very seriously considering the ET-8550. Would you say that should be a fine choice based on just doing B&W? Ink seems to be more cost effective, pigment options, and I like the fallible tanks. Lastly, I've been scouring your archives and haven't found it yet, but are there any considerations when taking an already B&W image, then digitizing it for print? As always, thank you so much for your time and expertise Keith!

[@KeithCooper]

See these (my real archives) www.northlight-images.co.uk/digital-black-and-white-photography/ www.northlight-images.co.uk/photography-articles-and-reviews/printing-paper-reviews-articles/

[@mattsprojects926]

@@KeithCooper Got it..thank you Sir!

[@ptrlstn51]

Keith. If I don’t have the paper roll adapter on the Epson P900 how long can I print if I cut paper off a roll?

[@KeithCooper]

custom size settings says 18m - but I've not tried it...

[@davidbyrne1244]

Keith is it best to take photos in B&W or take in colour and then change in say afinity

[@KeithCooper]

Taking them 'in B&W' gains nothing IMHO - if you shoot in RAW, then the files are colour anyway... I've always found that it's far better to do the conversion later See all my B&W articles/videos at www.northlight-images.co.uk/digital-black-and-white-photography/

[@thomaseriksson6256]

Thank you For good information. What about a calibrated EIZO monitor for BW printing is its a okay monitor? Shall I get a 4K monitor for A2?

[@KeithCooper]

Any good monitor is OK for B&W. For me, 4k needs a big monitor. Depends on the system you are using, so no - not a question I can meaningfully answer - it depends ;-)

[@thomaseriksson6256]

@@KeithCooper Thank you for your input. 4k will be good if I get a larger monitor, at least 27" I got 24". I concentrate on upgrading my Computer first and getting the Epson P900.

[@KeithCooper]

I'll only use 4k on 32" for my Mac - YMMV

[@thomaseriksson6256]

@@KeithCooper I will validate my need when its time, thank you for the feedback.

[@johandenhertog6878]

Use the Nikon D4 with Nikon prime AF-D lenses. Shoot black and white portraits. On the BenQ BL2420PT monitor with connection on thevNikon D4 it look exactly. Should be great if that also can with the printer. Use the Nikon D4 camera directly with the printer. You can change more in the camera than on a MacBook Pro laptop. Use RAW 14bit uncompressed. And the workflow is faster than edited on a computer each photo. And the results would be worse on a computer to the printer. Maybe i trust my camera to much than my MacBook Pro.

[@KeithCooper]

Interesting it works for you There is no way on Earth I'd ever print directly from a camera... ;-)

[@mrcondorazo]

I would like to see how to configure the printer so that the photos in black and white come out very good

[@KeithCooper]

Depends on the printer - see my detailed [written] printer reviews, most have a specific B&W section

[@mrcondorazo]

@@KeithCooper Hello. I have an Epson P900- but I can't find the configuration on the computer in your videos. Can you give me the link?

[@KeithCooper]

www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-sc-p900-printer-review/ Remember, my videos are often just supplements to the main [written] reviews ;-)

[@tube63017]

Hello Keith - I have a problem with drying... my pics print well but prints dont dry for days. Printing color prints is no problem - instant dry. Only black and white is an issue. I use glossy paper. I am at a loss on how to solve this problem. My printer is MFC-J1010DW. Can you please help? - appreciate your help.

[@KeithCooper]

Usually it because you are using the wrong paper for the printer ink type selected If it's for black, it suggests that the black ink is for matte paper. Such printers can be very picky about paper types

[@tube63017]

Thank you. Will try matt finish paper. But does that mean glossy paper for b&w printing is not a viable option for this printer?

[@KeithCooper]

I don't know this printer, so I just looked at the specs. It's an out and out home office printer with just 4 inks I'd be surprised if it was capable of good B&W photo printing and good colour would be a challenge ADF and double sided in the specs says 'office printer' very loudly. That's just my initial impression though - I've not ever had one like this to test since I tend to avoid more office oriented stuff @@tube63017

[@chico11mbit]

the first rule: Make good pictures ;-)

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, it really does help... ;-)

[@curtsuneson6161]

I'm calling the police

[@KeithCooper]

As in the 1980's band?

[@curtsuneson6161]

@@KeithCooper the bad boys in blue

[@KeithCooper]

Sorry - reference lost on me??

[@curtsuneson6161]

@@KeithCooper I took the lasagna out of the oven?

[@KeithCooper]

Nope...