Can anyone recommend a wet printer?

csaunders

csaunders

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Hi all,

I am currently looking to establish a relationship with a printer in the UK or at least somewhere in western Europe who can produce exhibition-quality prints with all the trimmings (expert dodge/burn, hand bleaching, etc).

I am looking for someone not just to knock out straight prints, but someone who is willing to sit down and discuss the objectives of each image and spend the time to perhaps work through several iterations until the image is perfect.

I would be looking at producing somewhere between 50 and 75 prints.

I know this is a cliche, but Salgado's prints are just amazing. Something unreal about them, and although I'm sure his negs are very fine indeed, for me it is the surreal quality of his prints that elevates his stuff to another level.

If someone out there knows someone who knows how to print like Granier, who might be interested in a more personal project, then let me know!

Thanks,
Christian
 
have him create 8x10 to your liking, then make a 16x20 for approval. Hold the approval one and have him sign the back. Then do your run of 75.

RC 8x10 is sufficient for first trials. Even make an inkjet and tell him to match it. Advise what burn/dodge was done to satisy your desires.
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

Well, there's no doubting Robin's credentials, but he is a little expensive... I was hoping for something more...boutique...
 
csaunders said:
Thanks for the replies guys.

Well, there's no doubting Robin's credentials, but he is a little expensive... I was hoping for something more...boutique...
Click to expand...

I am actually stunned that top-notch printers are still as cheap as they are. prices are very similar to 5+ years ago, although the volume of work the very best printers receive probably hasn't fallen away as much in the very best labs as it has in more ordinary places. Size of the city the lab is in matters too.

You could also compare prices with Nathalie Lopparelli:
www.laboratoire-tirages-argentiques.com/prestation-eng.html

Marty
 
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I agree; the prices generally are very surprising... who would have thought that the average joe could afford the same printer as Brassai or Salgado?

Has anyone here used the services of Granier or Lopparelli and can relay the experience?
 
I second Robin Bell. He's printing a similar number of prints for me.

He is not cheap if you want lots done to an image i.e. multiple toning etc, but straight prints are very good indeed. You will be surprised what he can do with a regular untoned image. He will sit down with you and chat thru everything if thats what you want. I'd suggest doing small cross section of negs and sitting down to discuss the prints afterwards, then going for the remainder. Thats what I did.

Granier is unique in style and does a HUGE amount of manipulation in many cases (as far as I can tell by looking and others will tell from what they have heard/read) with a lot of over printing and bleaching back highlights etc. This is very time consuming and expensive and it will cost you. As for style, Robin is very flexible but only Granier will look like Granier.
 
B&W Photography.

B&W Photography.

csaunders said:
Hi all,

I am currently looking to establish a relationship with a printer in the UK or at least somewhere in western Europe who can produce exhibition-quality prints with all the trimmings (expert dodge/burn, hand bleaching, etc).

I am looking for someone not just to knock out straight prints, but someone who is willing to sit down and discuss the objectives of each image and spend the time to perhaps work through several iterations until the image is perfect.

I would be looking at producing somewhere between 50 and 75 prints.


Thanks,
Christian
Click to expand...
If you buy an issue of `Black And White Photography` magazine, you will find advertisers who offer a processing and printing service. You will need to contact them personally though, to see if they are able to offer what it is that you require.
You will also do them a big favour if you can consistently produce correctly exposed negatives to enlarge from. If in doubt, make some carefully bracketed exposures, rather than risk failure when taking your photographs.
 
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