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Paper Chase - Somerset Photo Paper - part 7 of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

by Mike McNamee Published

Real prints

We always attempt to make real prints with test materials when sufficient sample sheets are available. This is actually more searching than test charts, a small swatch that is 'off colour' will measure as such, but nothing shows it up as much as a large print, with larger areas of tone.

The image of the butterfly (above) printed impeccably, with all the fine detail of the wing scales showing really well and the print matching the screen. The shot of model Laura (below) from the skin smoothing article in this issue was much trickier. The application of a Nik Midnight Filter had over-darkened the tones of the rocks such that they blocked to dense black without any discernable detail. It was necessary to open the shadows up in Photoshop to make them print successfully.

Overall

While Somerset Velvet Enhanced has a good and faithful following in both the UK and the USA, it has always suffered from a slightly inferior Dmax to its competitors. Somerset Photo addresses that issue, with a significant improvement in Dmax and an expansion of the gamut. It is a media that should generate a following from the fine art enthusiasts who are looking for a little more punch in their reproductions and for both fine art and general photographers. The low OBAs and neutrality will find favour with the monochrome enthusiasts. The branding carries the term 'satin' which should not be confused with the satin offerings from other suppliers (typified by Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Satin, Bright White Satin, White Etching Satin and Permajet's Textured Art Silk); it is not the same type at all.

Somerset Photo range available:
Sheets in A4, A3+ and A2, all in boxes to help protect the paper.
Rolls of 10 metre in 17" (432mm), 24" (610mm), 44"
(1118mm) and 60" (1524mm)
Available from your normal Somerset stockist.
Or for more info contact Artistpapers@inveresk.co.uk

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Contact Mike McNamee

1st Published
last update 09/12/2022 14:59:08

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