The Journey Begins

I recycled my printer last weekend. I'm realizing that that was a mistake. In one moment of head-clog frustration, I tossed my printer. So, I am beginning the journey to find a new B&W inkjet-based workflow. I'll do my best to document materials and equipment as I try and sort out a new inkjet-based method of printing B&W photos.

Coming from a short darkroom background, my first attempts at black and white inkjet printing were very disappointing. I can remember the first experiences of pressing "control+p" and having the printer spit out a lime green "black and white" photo. I went back into the darkroom...

Inkjet technology and inksets have gotten much better in the last few years. There are very good "out of the box" solutions right now for printers who want to do both black and white as well as color. Printers are much faster and are capable of high quality prints that, in my opinion, look better than any chemical print I ever got from a photo lab. Print drivers are offering more flexibility in print options. Better and more interesting papers are available. Technology wise, It's a good time in the photo world.

While there are many expensive good out of the box solutions, the effort here will be looking at older printers and 3rd party inks to find a somewhat inexpensive solution.