Creative Digital Printmaking: A Photographer's Guide to Professional Desktop Printing (Photography for All Levels: Intermediate) [Paperback]

Theresa Airey (Author)

Book Description

Series: Photography for All Levels: Intermediate | Publication Date: July 1, 2001

It used to be that image output from a computer printer couldn't equal that of darkroom processing. Not any more. A new generation of extremely sophisticated yet affordable printers now allows anyone to produce high-quality digital prints. And this brand-new technology isn't just for amateurs. More and more professional photographers and fine artists are outputting their images digitally, since they can produce beautiful prints that are easy to archive.



Creative Digital Printmaking provides all the information readers need to start creating beautiful prints of their own photographs on a home printer. First, this state-of-the-art guide discusses all the hardware needed, including up-to-date technical information on the best computers, monitors, scanners, printers, drivers, CD writers, and more. From films (including APS) to ink to paper choice, this valuable guide covers it all.



Then readers will discover, step by step, how to create dozens of exceptional images through a variety of easy-to-learn creative computer techniques. They will see how to use Photoshop filters; create duotones and tritones; saturate colors and hand-color digital prints; and create new images from multiple overlays. They'll also find scores of other ways to stretch their creative potential to its fullest.



Finally, a gorgeous gallery of work by 20 innovative fine-art photographers, along with engrossing descriptions of the techniques they use, makes Creative Digital Printmaking a never-ending source of creative and clever inspiration.





• Now that color printers are affordable for everyone, interest in digital printing has exploded

• Includes superb examples showcasing the work of 20 renowned digital artists

• Perfect how-to guide for everyone from aspiring artists to veteran photographers

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

It used to be that image output from a computer printer couldn't equal that of darkroom processing. Not anymore! A new generation of sophisticated yet affordable printers now allows anyone to produce high-quality digital prints. And this brand-new technology isn't just for amateurs. More and more professional photographers and fine artists are outputting their images digitally, since they can produce beautiful prints that are easy to archive.

In Creative Digital Printmaking, Theresa Airey provides all the information readers need to start creating beautiful prints of their own photographs on a home printer. Part I of this up-to-date guide begins by discussing the equipment needed, covering everything from computer platforms and printers to storage media and scanners. A chapter on color management simplifies this difficult topic and explains how to adjust your monitor, image editing program preferences, and printer settings to optimize your prints. Next, papers and inks are treated in detail, and a chapter on handcoloring digital prints provides tips and techniques.

In Part II, Airey explains the many creative techniques that can be used to manipulate scanned images in Photoshop. Using numerous step-by-step examples of her own work, she provides simple, clear explanations of how she achieved her stunning effects.

Finally, a gorgeous gallery of work by 21 innovative fine art photographers, along with engrossing descriptions of the techniques they use, gives readers an understanding of the seemingly limitless possibilities of creative digital printmaking.

About the Author

Theresa Airey's first book, Creative Photo Printmaking, launched her high-profile career as a lecturer and workshop leader on alternative printing processes. Ms. Airey's articles have appeared in such magazines as Petersen's Photographic, Camera, Darkroom Techniques, and Creative Camera Techniques. She resides in Monkton, Maryland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Amphoto Books (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817437266
• ISBN-13: 978-0817437268
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #854,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Computers & Technology > Digital Photography & Video > Digital Printing

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical and inspiring, February 17, 2002

By 

L. Rose (Wimberley, Tx United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Creative Digital Printmaking: A Photographer's Guide to Professional Desktop Printing (Photography for All Levels: Intermediate) (Paperback)

You can spend weeks following web users groups that discuss specific papers, inks, printers and combinations of archival inks and papers etc. You can subscribe to numerous artists' magazines. But in this book, you can save yourself months, because of Theresa Airey's practical information and lists. The book not only helps photographers looking for quality in printing but it also gives people who hand tint photos good advice with the current lineup of digital materials. From the applications standpoint, I like that this book takes readers from basics to difficult, creative projects. The listings for companies, websites, papers and other media are excellent. To Amphoto Books: Please give us more from this talented and extraordinarily helpful author.

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Digital Printmaking Book, September 18, 2002

By 

Vicki Stiefel "Tally Whyte creator" (Hancock, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Creative Digital Printmaking: A Photographer's Guide to Professional Desktop Printing (Photography for All Levels: Intermediate) (Paperback)

While searching out another photography book, I stumbled upon this one and bought it on a whim. What a revelation! I am totally thrilled with the book, the authors' writing, and the info - both aesthetic and concrete - inside. I've had several print b/w darkrooms - bathroom affairs that I've loved - but no longer have the space. I really have missed the print-making experience. Thus Creative Digital Printmaking opened new and exciting doors to me. Even better, it clearly explained how to handcolor digiprints, something I'd done with my b/w images, but never imagined I could do with a digital print.
The book's instructions and explanations are masterful - clear and concise, yet full of exciting techniques. While the book takes the reader on interesting creative journeys, Airey also focuses on the concrete, such as how to calibrate a monitor and the best way to scan a negative or photograph. The combination works. So do the excellent photographic examples. If you have the urge to make digital prints that last and ones that resonate with and excite viewers, this book will guide you on your way. I can't recommend it highly enough.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, October 19, 2001

By 

Fred Drury (Wheaton, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Creative Digital Printmaking: A Photographer's Guide to Professional Desktop Printing (Photography for All Levels: Intermediate) (Paperback)

I am one of many photographers who has been investigating the new opportunities emerging in the digital world. Like the author, I am using Photoshop and a digital printer (Epson 3000) to create prints of my work which bridge the gap between 'art' and 'photography'.

This book has lots of valuable information that will help guide those of us interested in this new frontier. Of special interst to me are the chapters on papers and inks. There are considerable 'third party' alternatives to those provided by the printer manufacturers and the Ms. Airey has experience with most.

Also included are many examples of both the author's techniques and those of other artists who have already 'set sail' on their own voyages of discovery.