- Q:
When
should I use a sandwich screen and when a top of
the paper screen?
- A:
For exhibition quality prints use the top of the
paper screen. If you are only interested in
cheap machine made prints that are made on an
automated printer, and the top of paper screen
cannot be installed in the printer then you must
use the sandwich screen with the negative.
- Q:
How does
a Texture Screen differ from a
litho screen?
- A:
Even though Texture Screens
are used in the same maner as a litho
screen. The difference is that a litho screen
prints a dot pattern and the Texture
Screen will print a continuous tone of
one of many different patterns.
- Q:
How do I use a
Texture Screen?
- A:
The top of the paper Texture Screen
is placed directly over the top of the
paper on the enlarger easel. The sandwich screen
is usually taped to the negative and then placed
into a negative carrier and printed in the usual
manner.
- Q:
Can I use
a Texture Screen in a black and
white as well as color darkroom?
- A.
YES! Texture
Screens were originally made for
printing black and white. When color film was
invented the original black and white screens
were worked over to take out the neutral density
so they would print with the color films. Today
they are very easy to use in color as well as
Black and White.
- Q:
What is the
difference between quality of the sandwich
versus the top of paper patterns?
- A:
With a sandwich Texture
Screen, (135, 6x6cm, and 6x9 cm) the
screen is placed in contact with the negative,
as you enlarge the photographic negative you are
also enlarging the pattern. Therefore you need
to be very careful how much you enlarge the
image. Too much magnification will make the
pattern too large and bold. With a top of the
paper texture screen (8x10", 11x14", 16x20", and
20x24") the pattern lays directly on top of the
paper, and you maintain a pattern that is very
fine lined and delicate.
- Q:
What
changes do I have to make in the darkroom to use
a Texture Screen?
- A:
The Texture Screens we make
are neutral density so there is no color shift
when using them in the darkroom. You will need
to add some exposure because in using a
Texture Screen you are adding some
neutral density.
- Q:
How long
will a Texture Screen
last?
- A: To
answer this question we must ask "How long will
your negatives last?" If you drop your negatives
on the floor and step on them, spill chemicals
on them or possibly fold a corner or somehow
scratch the emulsion you had might as well drop
them in the waste paper basket because you have
rendered them worthless. If you treat your
screen in a likewise manner you will soon be
ordering a new screen.. If you use reasonable
care of you screen you could possibly use it for
the rest of your life. We have customers that
have used the same screen for over 40
years.
- Q:
How do I
store a Texture
Screen?
- A: We
try hard to save you money by NOT having a fancy
package. We suggest you store them in an extra
paper box with paper between the screens.
- Q:
What
additional special effects can I get using a
Texture Screen?
- A:
Every major print competition has winning
prints that have been made with a Texture
Screen. Over 95% of these prints have
been made with a top of the paper screen. If you
look closely, you will find some prints that
have a very delicate texture. This is
accomplished by turning the enlarger off part
way through the exposure and removing the screen
and then continuing the exposure without the
screen. Less exposure on the pattern is less
effect. (You CANNOT do this with a sandwich
screen.) Another technique is to diffuse the
portrait in the enlarger. If you try and diffuse
the sandwich screen it will no longer remain
sharp. In diffusing the top of the paper screen,
the screen image stays sharp and only the
photographic image is softened.
- Q:
What else
will a Texture Screen
do?
- A: If
you have a portrait that is slightly out of
focus, when you use a top of the paper screen it
will give the illusion of making the
photograph sharp. This is because the screen
gives your eye something to focus on and tends
to sharpen the image.
- Q:
Can I combine more than one pattern?
- A:
Yes, you can get some very interesting,
very personalized looks by combining more than
one pattern. Just place a second screen directly
over the first and increase your exposure to
cover the increase in added density. A favorite
combinations is, the Fresco and the Cracquelure.
but you can come up with many combinations that
look wonderful.
- Q:
Will I
make more money using Texture Screen
?
- A:
Yes, the use of a Texture Screen
on a photograph along with artwork, retouching,
mounting and framing should make the
Texture Screen print one of the
finest you have to offer your customers and so
should also be a premium priced item in your
business.
"Food
For Thought"
Texture Screens are one of the
easiest ways to upgrade your pricing. Yes, it is
true that many photographers charge more just for
using a Texture Screen.. It can be
the easiest way for you to make money.
As, "Professional Photographers" we have
devoted a lot of time to becoming "professional".
We have a lot of money invested for cameras,
lenses, and the tools of our trade. As
professional's let's not ever forget that it is not
cameras that make beautiful images but the
photographer. He is the one that has the original
idea and then brings it together to make the
image.
Every photographer must, in their own mind
decide just how "professional" they wish to be.
Will you take your film to the discount store for
processing, do it yourself, or send it to a
professional lab? The decisions we make in
finishing, retouching, and packaging will all make
a difference when our work is delivered to our
customer.
With all the decisions to make, you should also
think about using a Texture Screen .
Ask yourself, "is this an image that will be
enhanced by using a Texture Screen?
If the answer is yes, then you need to decide how
much more to charge for adding a screen to the
photograph.
Using a texture screen is only one tool
in making a work of art. If you use a Texture
Screen, don't stop there. Do your
retouching, dye and artwork, canvas mounting, or
plastic laminating and as a finish...... how about
adding some brush stokes? Don't forget, when you
use Texture Screens they are only
one of the tools in creating a beautiful
photograph.
Texture Screens
are.............
The Art Part
Of Fine Art Photography!
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