good wet print service (UK)

[pcooklin]

Hi - I normally print digitally from b&w scans. Ive been given all the darkroom equipment needed to do wet prints, but before I build a purpose built room and get started, Id like to send off a few scans to get them printed professionally as wet prints on fibre paper. Do you know of a good, but reasonably priced service (with website) where I could have a few prints made? They dont need to to be huge, 10x8 12x10 etc would suffice. Im in Suffolk (UK), so presumably I will need to send off the scans to someone.

This is the look Im trying to achieve:
http://pa.photoshelter.com/c/paulcooklin/gallery/Photography-Featured/G0000vmlJzaSA7ts/

The top few have been given a sepia tone using Lightroom, however, I would be interested to see what 'effects' could be achieved just using analogue techniques.
Many thanks.

 

[keeds]

Dead Link Removed will do fibre prints from digital files. Never used them so can't vouch for them. I assume when/if you set up your darkroom you will be printing from original negatives or have you a digital enlarger like the de vere? I'm in Suffolk also and have a (messy) darkroom which I could run through some printing with you if you have not done it before. Can enlarge from 35mm to 4x5.

 

[pcooklin]

Thanks Keeds. Im looking for wet prints from scans. Ive sent an email to Monolab and will post their reply.
Thanks also for the offer of your help, I might just take you up on that! Do you think the look of the digital prints in the link above can be achieved using analogue methods?

 

[Rick A]

Therein lies the fun of a wet darkroom--experimentation. You have a vision, now its time to find the combination of elements to attain it. Who knows, you may even find a new vision, or end result that you feel better describes what you want to convey.
Rick

 

[keeds]

Having a quick look at the images I would have thought Lith would have been a good option for the style. Would give you some colour and graphic contrasty images.

 

[Shangheye]

It isn't immediately obvious from the site that he is not contact printing these...i.e. using enlargement on to transparency first. Kal

 

[keeds]

I'd read somewhere that monolab were using the De Vere 504DS to enlarge digital files.

see: http://dpnow.com/2231.html

 

[wogster]

Hi - I normally print digitally from b&w scans. Ive been given all the darkroom equipment needed to do wet prints, but before I build a purpose built room and get started, Id like to send off a few scans to get them printed professionally as wet prints on fibre paper. Do you know of a good, but reasonably priced service (with website) where I could have a few prints made? They dont need to to be huge, 10x8 12x10 etc would suffice. Im in Suffolk (UK), so presumably I will need to send off the scans to someone.

This is the look Im trying to achieve:
http://pa.photoshelter.com/c/paulcooklin/gallery/Photography-Featured/G0000vmlJzaSA7ts/

The top few have been given a sepia tone using Lightroom, however, I would be interested to see what 'effects' could be achieved just using analogue techniques.
Many thanks.

Forget the scans, the best silver prints are made from negatives, it's amazing what you can do with an enlarger and some trays. Start with making a good normal plain print. You can often use a bathroom, especially if you have one without a window, just stuff a towel under the door and your all set. Put a piece of wood over the sink to hold the enlarger, and another piece over the tub to hold the trays. Once you have a temporary setup and can make a good print, then you can start playing around. Once you can make the kind of print you want, then build your darkroom.

There are an amazing number of things you can do with silver printing, because there was 100 years of technology development before digital came along.

 

[Harry Lime]

http://www.metroimaging.co.uk/

Metro Imaging in London teamed up with Ilford and developed a silvergelatin fiber paper that can be fed in to something like a Lambda or Fuji Lightjet. It is called HARMAN GALERIE FB DIGITAL

http://tinyurl.com/45kups

In terms of look this paper is identical to a traditional glossy silvergelatin fiber based paper. Obviously the output quality is dependent on how good your scan is.

Worldwide there are only a few labs so far that offer this service. Metro prints for everyone from Gary Knight to Magnum. They are very good.

 

[perkeleellinen]

It might be worth giving Spectrum Photographic a call. They do digital C-Type prints (that's what you want isn't it?) although I couldn't see fibre paper mentioned.

www.spectrumphoto.co.uk