FOR THE LOVE OF PAPER
Diana and I both love paper.
We love the feel and texture of many types of paper and I truly appreciate good paper when it comes to printing as well as for making books. It is with this in mind that I have been enthusiastic to try out Ilford’s Art 300 MG Fibre paper.
Today was my chance to finally do just that, and from what I can see, I like this paper.
It feels good in the hand, just the way a good rag paper should, but most importantly, it seems to be a “gutsy” paper, with deep rich blacks, good acutance, and soon enough I’ll know more about how well it tones.
It is a slower paper then I’m use to, but that has the advantage of slightly longer exposure times allowing for comfortable working conditions when refining the local tonalities with burning or dodging, and it is an indication of a paper with greater tonal range then many of today’s silver papers. I made three prints today, one of which is a challenging print, difficult to get the subtle tonal gradations I am looking for in this high key image, and on the Art 300 paper it felt easy, or at least much easier to achieve the look and feel I am after with this image, then on other MG papers.
Like a child waiting for Christmas morning, I’m excited to get into the studio early tomorrow to see how the prints have dried.
QG
