My college is having a photo exhbit in our student gallery and I'd like to submit some work. The guidelines call for images that are no smaller than 11x14, framed and matted.

I don't print a lot of 11x14 stuff because I'm a 35mm shooter and prefer to have as tight grain as possible. I'm guessin I'm going to have to pick some images that are full frame shots and shot on 100 speed films (should be okay here).

Here is my technical question. I have been shooting Oriental Seagul fiber based glossy paper in the 8x10 size. Will I be able to use this paper for test strips? I'd like to conserve how much of the 11x14 paper I use because, honeslty money is tight and 11x14 isn't cheap.

Just wondering if they are using the same emulsions on both of their sizes. At least will I be able to get some what of an idea before I print a work print?

No matter I'm excited to exhibit some work, thanks for your time, Scott

-- Scott Haraldson (sdharald6293@webmail.winona.edu), November 24, 2001

Answers

Well, it has been my experience, more often than not, that there is a significant difference between different lots of paper. I have no recent experience with Seagull however, so maybe they have their quality control down tighter than most others. But, to do this right, I think you are stuck with testing on the paper you intend to print on.

-- Richard C. Trochlil (trochlilbb@neumedia.net), November 24, 2001.

Richard,

Thanks for the quick response. I think I'll have to do a comparison test right away to see how close it turns out. I'll probably end up springing for the bigger box of 50 sheets anyway, might as well do it right the first time and archive them properly so that they stay around for a long time.

What are your thoughts about blowing an image up to 11x14? I guess to me it limits the photographer somewhat in their expression. I could understand going with all black frames....guess they want consistency. Then again I'm new to all this.

Scott

-- Scott Haraldson (sdharald6293@webmail.winona.edu), November 24, 2001.

Are you sure that the actual image has to be 11x14, or is it the frame and mat size? Keep in mind that by the time you trim off the border of the 11x14 paper to mount it, the image will be less than 11x14.

-- Michael Feldman (mfeldman@qwest.net), November 24, 2001.

Don't know how close the different size papers will be, but it's worth a try. Remember that many exhibits have 16x20 and larger prints, often from fast 35mm film. Salgado isn't carrying a 4x5! You're not supposed to stand 12 inches in front of a 16x20 and worry about the grain! Print well and your images will look fine. Find out what the lighting conditions are so you know how dark to make the prints. Take one there to look at it under the real conditions if at all possible. When you get something you like, hang it in the darkroom as a standard of comparison. 11x14 and larger will test your enlarger lens, alignment, and cleanliness. Be sure to keep a bottle of Spotone handy!

-- Conrad Hoffman (choffman@rpa.net), November 25, 2001.

For God sake's!! print on 8x10 and mount and matt on 11x14! heck I print contact 8x10 and mount and matt on 16x20 boards, you can do the same! yeeeezzz!

-- Jorge Gasteazoro (jorgegm58@prodigy.net.mx), November 26, 2001.

Check with the college" 11x14 is probably the matted size, not the image size. If it is the image size, be aware that as enlargement increases, contrast appears to decrease, so you may want to print on a higher grade (or contrast setting).

Also, be aware bigger isn't always better. I have a 2-1/4 x 2-1/4 negative from 30+ years ago that defies printing larger than 5 x 5 inches. At 5x5 it is a perfect gem, any larger and the image just doesn't work.

-- Charlie Strack (charlie_strack@sti.com), November 27, 2001.

It is my experience with Ilford warmtone FB 11x14 and 8x10 are identical as is Kodak Polymax Fine Art FB FD in 11x14 and 8x10. I have run into differences with Forte Elegance and Polywarmtone FB. I don't use Oriental papers for my images because I don't think they are all that great in the VC version. Hope this helps. James

-- james (james_mickelson@hotmail.com), November 27, 2001.

Are you going to frame the prints behind glass? The you might consider a matte paper. :-)

-- Patric (jenspatric@mail.bip.net), November 27, 2001.

Dont worry about the grain. I regularly shoot fast B&W such as HP5+ and make 12x16" prints from the negs. The grain is not noticeable and the prints loook very good. Of course if you are shooting 100 speed film like Delta or FP4+ then grain is not an issue even with 12x16" prints.

-- Vincent (nospam@hotmail.com), November 28, 2001.