Why Does No One Talk About Pearl?

Hubigpielover · Oct 11, 2017

Thanks to the great people here, I almost ready to process my own negatives and make prints. I think I am missing a couple of pieces of hardware that aren't really essential.

Getting ready to order chemicals and different paper and I noticed something in the forum. It seems nobody really talks about pearl paper. It seems like pearl paper is a great compromise between matte and glossy. Or I could be totally wrong and it is like the sports sedans that don't do sports or regular driving well.

Does anyone use pearl? What are your thoughts? My plan is to get a bunch of different types of paper and try them out. Well eventually.

Robin Guymer · Oct 12, 2017

Having only just started getting into darkroom printing, I do like using both Pearl and Glossy. Pearl is a good choice if the print is to be displayed near selected light sources like windows and doors. I like it but still learning as to when to use either for what purposes.
Robin.

AgX · Oct 12, 2017

Maybe that surface is regarded here as amateurish?

Ilford Pearl was the surface I started printing with.

jimjm · Oct 12, 2017

I prefer pearl finish for most RC prints. Glossy finish (Ilford MG RC) is just too a bit too "shiny" for my taste.
In fiber paper, glossy is perfect when air-dried.

MattKing · Oct 12, 2017

Pearl is my favourite of the surfaces available on the RC papers I prefer.
Although Satin has its advantages.
You might not see many references to Pearl because some of us grew up on the "N" or "semi-matte" nomenclature, and some habits are hard to break.
I agree though that air dried FB glossy is fairly similar to pearl.

David A. Goldfarb · Oct 12, 2017

I used to like it when I was younger and printed on RC paper. I haven't used it for ages, but if I started printing on RC again, I'd consider it. I suppose that people who still print in the darkroom might prefer the deeper blacks of glossy paper, but if having a range of different surfaces was part of their process, they might just go inkjet.

rpavich · Oct 12, 2017

It's talked about, as you said, not that much. I print mostly on pearl finish paper, it's a good compromise between glossy and matte which to me are a bit more "to the point." They have their place but not for 100% of my prints.
I think it's just preference, one is not more amateurish than another.

BMbikerider · Oct 12, 2017

jimjm said:
I prefer pearl finish for most RC prints. Glossy finish (Ilford MG RC) is just too a bit too "shiny" for my taste.
In fiber paper, glossy is perfect when air-dried.

Absolutely. I do like glossy and use it for prints which may be mounted but not put behind glass and also for pictures which need clarity of fine details or technical purposes. I use Kentmere paper but their version of 'pearl' is perfect for framed prints behind glass and grade for grade seems to have more 'punch' than Ilford.

Ian Grant · Oct 12, 2017

In a separate post yesterday we were asked about Matt paper (and contrast). The major problem is that surfaces matt, pearl and even glossy vary quite markedly between manufacturers and well as between RC and Fibre based papers.

I very rarely us RC papers but printed on some Adoc MCC or Foma RC Pearl paper recently and the finish looked more like air dried Glossy Fibre based paper than the Ilfospeed RC Pearl paper I'd used in the past.

You really need to see samples before making your choice or buy small packs to try.

Ian

Svenedin · Oct 12, 2017

I use RC pearl as my default paper either Ilford MGIV or Fotospeed. I like it and the people I give prints to seem to like it too. The only time I use gloss is when the subject is reflective (metal etc) or to make contact sheets where fine detail is essential.

tezzasmall · Oct 12, 2017

Ilford RC Pearl is my first go to paper!

Occasionally I will use Ilford FB Matt or RC Lustre or like at the mo, Fotospeed Oyster, which is very similar to Ilford's RC Pearl..

As said, one really needs to either buy a few boxes of different surfaces and brands or stick with one initially like Ilford, and get their swatch book = money well spent IMO, as not only will it show you various surfaces but also give you some quality prints to compare ones own against, especially when starting.

And then it really is horse for courses and what you think a picture will look better on, and for me, 90% of the time RC Pearl is fine.

Terry S

pentaxuser · Oct 12, 2017

Hubigpielover said:
My plan is to get a bunch of different types of paper and try them out. Well eventually.

Sounds like a good plan. Do I use pearl and what do I think of it? Sorry this is a subject I never talk about. It's like the painted portrait I have of myself in a locked room in the bowels of my Gothic Castle in deepest Ruritania .It ages while I stay permanently young. Damn, you've got my secret out of me and I vowed never to talk about it or Pearl

pentaxuser

Svenedin · Oct 12, 2017

pentaxuser said:
Sounds like a good plan. Do I use pearl and what do I think of it? Sorry this is a subject I never talk about. It's like the painted portrait I have of myself in a locked room in the bowels of my Gothic Castle in deepest Ruritania .It ages while I stay permanently young. Damn, you've got my secret out of me and I vowed never to talk about it or Pearl

pentaxuser

“The Picture of Dorian Gray” no less

Hubigpielover · Oct 12, 2017

AgX said:
Maybe that surface is regarded here as amateurish?
Ilford Pearl was the surface I started printing with.

Well I ain't no Ansel Adams

jimjm said:
I prefer pearl finish for most RC prints. Glossy finish (Ilford MG RC) is just too a bit too "shiny" for my taste.
In fiber paper, glossy is perfect when air-dried.

It seems that fiber glossy is they way to go eventually. Once I get the ground under my feet and feel comfortable. When you say air dry, does that mean hanging them up? Would using a blotter count as air dried?

MattKing said:
Pearl is my favourite of the surfaces available on the RC papers I prefer.
Although Satin has its advantages.
You might not see many references to Pearl because some of us grew up on the "N" or "semi-matte" nomenclature, and some habits are hard to break.
I agree though that air dried FB glossy is fairly similar to pearl.

Makes sense. When I used a darkroom in high school, it was just to develop film. I don't remember ever printing anything.

That makes sense.

David A. Goldfarb said:
I used to like it when I was younger and printed on RC paper. I haven't used it for ages, but if I started printing on RC again, I'd consider it. I suppose that people who still print in the darkroom might prefer the deeper blacks of glossy paper, but if having a range of different surfaces was part of their process, they might just go inkjet.

What means this "inkjet"?

Ian Grant said:
In a separate post yesterday we were asked about Matt paper (and contrast). The major problem is that surfaces matt, pearl and even glossy vary quite markedly between manufacturers and well as between RC and Fibre based papers.

I very rarely us RC papers but printed on some Adoc MCC or Foma RC Pearl paper recently and the finish looked more like air dried Glossy Fibre based paper than the Ilfospeed RC Pearl paper I'd used in the past.

You really need to see samples before making your choice or buy small packs to try.

Ian

That's what got me interested in this whole dialog. It got me thinking that I wasn't being entirely open to my choices. I am planning on ordering a Foma sample swatch pack but Ilford no longer makes them.

tezzasmall said:
Ilford RC Pearl is my first go to paper!

Occasionally I will use Ilford FB Matt or RC Lustre or like at the mo, Fotospeed Oyster, which is very similar to Ilford's RC Pearl..

As said, one really needs to either buy a few boxes of different surfaces and brands or stick with one initially like Ilford, and get their swatch book = money well spent IMO, as not only will it show you various surfaces but also give you some quality prints to compare ones own against, especially when starting.
And then it really is horse for courses and what you think a picture will look better on, and for me, 90% of the time RC Pearl is fine.

Terry S

Swatch books are cool but only Foma still makes them. I will probably just order small packs of different paper.

Svenedin said:
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” no less

You got to stay young somehow...some of us don't have money for Porsche and dating girls twenty years our junior.

removedacct1 · Oct 12, 2017

"It seems like pearl paper is a great compromise between matte and glossy."

It is, but....
I dislike Ilford's take on the "Pearl" surface texture. There's something about their RC Pearl surface that says "This will suffice for proofing images, but isn't right for finished work". There's nothing wrong with it, per se, but when I was in school in the 1980s it was what was recommended for the beginner level students, and so for me it has that value judgement attached. I suspect many have had similar experiences and have come away from it with a similar attitude.

trendland · Oct 12, 2017

AgX said:
Maybe that surface is regarded here as amateurish?

Ilford Pearl was the surface I started printing with.

He he, amateurish is a hard term.
A handy shot printed from young ladys as "miniprint" in drogstores from thereselfes with stylish color frame around is amateurish.

with regards

PS : Pearl surfaced paper is a question
of personal preference.
As it was totaly new (remember it from the sixties) I was a great fan of it.

with regards

trendland · Oct 12, 2017

Oh sorry sorry : themselfes ,
I mixed it with theirself but it should be wrong - in addition wrong spelling...

with regards

Hubigpielover · Oct 12, 2017

paulbarden said:
"It seems like pearl paper is a great compromise between matte and glossy."

It is, but....
I dislike Ilford's take on the "Pearl" surface texture. There's something about their RC Pearl surface that says "This will suffice for proofing images, but isn't right for finished work". There's nothing wrong with it, per se, but when I was in school in the 1980s it was what was recommended for the beginner level students, and so for me it has that value judgement attached. I suspect many have had similar experiences and have come away from it with a similar attitude.

Fair enough, I think what makes this hobby so good is that there is always options that tend to suit the photographer. I'm going to give a test drive to all the papers that I am interested in and see what fits me. Plus RC is cheap enough to practice on.

Hubigpielover · Oct 12, 2017

trendland said:
He he, amateurish is a hard term.
A handy shot printed from young ladys as "miniprint" in drogstores from thereselfes with stylish color frame around is amateurish.

with regards

PS : Pearl surfaced paper is a question
of personal preference.
As it was totaly new (remember it from the sixties) I was a great fan of it.

with regards

Thanks for the comment.

tedr1 · Oct 12, 2017

Swatch books are also made by Ilford, I got one a year ago from KHB Photographix in Canada. For RC paper my first choice is pearl because RC glossy is mirror-like. In FB paper I prefer the glossy finish air-dried, which produces a pleasing soft gloss.

Hubigpielover · Oct 12, 2017

tedr1 said:
Swatch books are also made by Ilford, I got one a year ago from KHB Photographix in Canada. For RC paper my first choice is pearl because RC glossy is mirror-like. In FB paper I prefer the glossy finish air-dried, which produces a pleasing soft gloss.

Unfortunately they are no longer in production. KHB is out of them and it doesn't look like anyone else has them. I did email Ilford and ask if they are making any new ones or will they be out forever.

Sirius Glass · Oct 12, 2017

I like glossy paper.

DWThomas · Oct 12, 2017

I use pearl RC for some things -- like contact printing 8x10 pinhole negatives. It's one of those "try it and see what you think" decisions. I think texture descriptions and appearance vary wildly between different makers -- and maybe even different paper types.

winger · Oct 12, 2017

Ilford RC pearl is the only RC I use. It gets used for contact sheets and first prints to see how difficult the image might be and for shots that won't necessarily be matted and framed (like snapshots, etc..). Ones that are worth the effort get printed on fiber.

Gerald C Koch · Oct 12, 2017

The problem is that the pearl finish obscures fine detail. If this not what is desired then there is a problem. I would rate the three finishes as glossy > matte > pearl as far as retaining detail.

Why Does No One Talk About Pearl?

Hubigpielover

Robin Guymer

AgX

jimjm

MattKing

Moderator

David A. Goldfarb

Moderator

rpavich

BMbikerider

Ian Grant

Svenedin

tezzasmall

pentaxuser

Svenedin

Hubigpielover

removedacct1

trendland

trendland

Hubigpielover

Hubigpielover

tedr1

Hubigpielover

Sirius Glass

DWThomas

winger

Gerald C Koch

Why Does No One Talk About Pearl?

Moderator

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency