Review: Fine Art Printing for Photographers (2nd edition)
// July 7th, 2008
Fine Art Printing for Photographers (2nd edition, rocknook publishers) by Uwe Steinmueller and Juergen Gulbins, is an incredibly thorough, well-written, and interesting book about fine-art printing of digital photographs using ink jet printers. It covers all aspects of the craft and is written explicitly for the “ambitious amateur” and professional photographer.
Read on to learn more about the book and find out how you can get a free copy.
I must admit I didn’t know exactly what to expect when rockynook announced the second addition of this book. Before I received it, I’d completely missed the subtitle (Exhibition Quality Prints with Inkjet Printers). So my initial reaction was surprise followed by excitement as I scanned the table of contents.
Steinmuller and Gulbins make the case that today’s inkjet printers can deliver exhibition quality fine art prints and explain all of the details necessary to achieve that goal.
The authors devote entire chapters to the topics of printing techniques, paper and ink, color management, workflow, practical tips, printing packages and RIPs, black and white, and presentation. And they thoroughly cover each subject with a tremendous amount of detail.
For instance, the first paragraph of the first chapter (happily) explains a topic many people find confusing: the differences between DPI, PPI, LPI, and image resolution; and they explain how those measurements are related and why they are important for fine art printing. They go into similarly detailed discussions of print permanence, the effects of paper thickness and coating, color models and profiles, tonality and color tuning, black and white conversion, and dozens of other important issues. The level of detail combined with the breadth of topics is very impressive.
A great deal of attention is also placed on software workflow (primarily using Photoshop CS3) with a focus on preparing digital images specifically for paper. Topics covered include highlight recovery, contrast enhancement, sharpening, color management, black and white conversion, and more.
The authors don’t actually recommend a particular printer, as everyone’s needs and budgets are unique, but they do go into detail about things you should look for in a fine art inkjet, paper, and inks. In addition, the appendix gives a summary of many different fine art printers and papers.
Digital fine art printing is highly technical, a fact that is acknowledged and reinforced by this book. It requires a special knowledge of printing techniques, inks, papers, software and image processing. But the authors argue that the “technical nature of fine art printing should not overshadow its ability to awaken the senses.” And that “when performed optimally, your printing can achieve a richer color gamut and finer tonal gradations that with traditional book- and magazine-printing techniques.”
I learned a lot about fine art printing from this book and I recommend it to anyone serious about getting into fine art printing or improving their prints.
Want a copy of the book? Leave a comment with a valid email address. Two readers will be chosen at random on Wednesday, July 9, to receive a free copy.
Posted 6 weeks ago
I would love a copy.
Posted 6 weeks ago
We’re a photography website, and although we don’t yet print photographs, that feature is thought for the future. It would be great to have a look at this book!
Posted 6 weeks ago
big fan of rockynook books!!
Posted 6 weeks ago
Thanks for the review! I’d love a free copy of this book, but based on your review, if I don’t win it, I’ll be buying it. It sounds like exactly what I need right now. I just purchased my first archival quality inkjet printer, and… LOL I think FedEx just pulled up to my house with it! What timing!
Posted 6 weeks ago
I would like a copy too!
Posted 6 weeks ago
Now I’ll have to look it up as I’m just getting into displaying my work in exhibitions.
Posted 6 weeks ago
I’ve never owned an inkjet printer, am interested in what creative things I could do with one.
Posted 6 weeks ago
Any help that I can get with softproofing would be much appreciated.
Posted 6 weeks ago
Looks like a great book - wearing a smart suit with scruffy shoes is akin to taking great photos and not understanding how to print them well. I need a new pair of shoes :)
Posted 6 weeks ago
ooh! ooh! definitely put me in the drawing for this one!
Posted 6 weeks ago
A copy would be excellent!
Posted 6 weeks ago
Hmmm… Maybe a book like this would finally encourage me to really get a good inkjet. I’ve never seen the reason to get one, but now I’ve started to think about it. Just to get a bit more control on the printing process (of course, first I’d have to learn about it ;).
Posted 6 weeks ago
great review- looks like this belongs on my shelf! thanks, love the site!
Posted 6 weeks ago
It’s all about the print.
Posted 6 weeks ago
Thanks for the review. My workflow seems to work for me, but I also look forward to seeing how others do it. I’m also always on the lookout for tips around final presentation. I hope I win!
Posted 6 weeks ago
This sounds like just the book I’ve been looking for to get better at printing to my Epson 3800. Thanks for a great review.
Posted 6 weeks ago
Looks like a great book, exactly what I need in fact. I’d love one of those!
Posted 6 weeks ago
looks like the book is set for a must-have title for all the amateurs and professionals alike! can’t wait to lay my hands on it.
Posted 6 weeks ago
I checked out the first edition from the library and enjoyed it quite a bit. I’m curious as to what has been updated for the 2nd edition.
Posted 6 weeks ago
A copy would be wonderful =)
Posted 6 weeks ago
I’m interested in color management section.
Posted 6 weeks ago
This looks great! I’ve been looking at investing in a good printer and this would be a great resource!
Posted 6 weeks ago
This is a subject that’s had me fussing for some time now. I would love to own a copy. Fingers crossed!
Posted 6 weeks ago
I’ve heard good things about that book, maybe the second edition is my chance to actually read it.
Posted 6 weeks ago
Nice info, send me one. :)
Posted 6 weeks ago
Sounds great!
Posted 6 weeks ago
Looks like a great book!
Posted 6 weeks ago
I’d love one!
Posted 6 weeks ago
Please include me in the drawing.
Posted 6 weeks ago
This sounds like a great idea — I have been an “ambitious amateur” for decades, but what it comes to making prints, I have never gone beyond printing B&W at home. Having switched to digital about five years ago, I have all but abandoned hope for making prints at home… Just the fact that such a book exists gives me hope! Should I be one of the lucky winners, I’ll send you a nice print!
Posted 6 weeks ago
I’d like to be entered in the drawing. Sounds like an interesting and helpful book.
Posted 6 weeks ago
Would probably be very helpful to me at this time. Please do include me in the draw. Thank you.
Posted 6 weeks ago
Interesting subject, will read it with interest. Scampers off to Amazon to investigate.
Posted 6 weeks ago
And the winners of the random drawing are… #6 Sean Lamb and #23 Stew Turner!
Thanks for everyone’s participation. Check back in a few days when I’ll have a review and a copy of rockynook’s “The Art of Black & White Photography: Techniques for Creating Superb Images in a Digital Workflow” to give away.
Posted 6 weeks ago
Thanks very much John
I can hardly wait to see it!
Cheers
Stew
Posted 3 weeks ago
Great subject. Very little serious material on the web. The book might fill a required gap. Thanks!
Posted 3 weeks ago
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