Printing with blown highlights

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted member 21335
  • Start date Start date
D

Deleted member 21335

Guest
Need help with the above. Blowing highlights, particularly in large areas such as windows etc isn't unusual in portraiture and I'm quite fond of the look it gives sometimes. I've just done a series of portraits with this look/feel and would definitely like to print a couple at a decent size (probably around 30x20 or larger), however I've read about the printer not putting ink down where the areas of pure white are and was wondering if there is a way or technique to overcome this?

Many thanks.
 
Depending on the printer you can set it to put a layer of ink down in areas of pure white.

Personally I've never noticed any problem with pure white on any of the papers I use
 
Last edited:
If the highlights are blown then there is no detail in them , so the printer doesn't put any ink down. The question is why do you want to add ink to these areas?

There are a couple of tricks you could try depending on what software you have and depending on the subject. A simple curve adjustment may do the trick but this tends to affect the whole image. You could try producing a luminosity mask and edit that so it only affects these blown highlights. Lightroom users could use the targeted adjustment brush to paint density into these areas, but in my experience this tends to give a false look.
 
I thought that When it doesn't add ink that there would be an obvious transition between the areas with and without? Happy to be corrected though. I won't be printing myself, for that size probably a gallery print from loxley (assuming there's anything I like that much once edited).
 
I think the effect you are referring to is Bronzing. This is where the ink sits on ( or close to the surface) you can then see a transition between the area that has ink and those that do not. Some Epson printers I think had an additional gloss cartridge which was used to mask these areas.

Now inkjet technology in both machine and inks and papers has made significant improvements over the years, and I've not seen bronzing on prints for a few years now, so i wouldn't worry about it.

Also it depends on the surface treatment you are going to have. If there is and over-laminating of the image or encapsulation any Bronzing would behidden, however I'd suspect there isnt any in the first place.

However to set you mind at rest I'd contact Loxleys direct and ask. Always the best course of action. When in doubt ask.!

Hope this helps
 
Yes I think that is what I was meaning. Where there would be a transition between the matt paper and the shiny wet stuff. But doesn't sound like it's a problem. I might just send one off to print first before I do a few or an expensive one. Thanks for the replies. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top