Making a photographic print was always a challenging process. It could involve days in the darkroom, and deep consideration of the results and possibilities. The time, craft and care needed to make a fine print in this digital age is not dissimilar. The processes are very different, the editing is super-critical, and the confusing connections between software and printer challenging. But the attention to craft and the need for passionate concentration on the potential beauty of the photographic print remain. This seminar focuses exclusively on the craft of fine-art digital printing, and consequently will deal with image editing, color management, print evaluation and the hard work necessary to make beautiful prints.

Concentration will be on inkjet printing with color pigments and black/gray ink combinations on coated and rag papers, covering workflow issues, color management, correcting color casts, adjustment layers, custom profile generation, editing and inspection. As there is no magic bullet to making good prints, the seminar will also explore old fashioned testing, careful color judgements and interactive honing in on the best print possible. Discussions will also include an exploration of print aesthetics in the digital age - what makes for a beautiful print? - do the new possibilities enhance our notion of what photography can be? - are we merely trying to imitate traditional photographic processes? Papers and their printing problems and advantages will be weighed, as well as their visual qualities.