We live in interesting times.  Take paper as an example.  How many choices are there now to print photographs on?   I’m guessing we’re well into the hundreds.  Every printer manufacturer makes paper, many which look the same as their competitors. That’s just the beginning ... dozens of other companies either make papers or repackage and brand papers.

For the most part, the paper itself is probably coming from only a few sources.  I’m pretty sure the base paper behind Epson Premium Glossy and Lustre is coming from the same place that Kodaks Professional Glossy and Lustre is coming from, and prints on each are very close.  For all I know, it’s also coated by the same company to the specifications provided by the eventual “manufacturer”.  I believe I can see subtle differences, mainly in the sheen and gloss, but overall the paper itself is pretty much identical.

So which are the best papers?  Wow ... who can answer that question.  I certainly have my favorites, but my reasons for liking them may not be valid to you.

IT’S EASY TO GET DISTRACTED

What do I mean by that?  When you really get down to it, the image is what counts.  It’s easy to get distracted by how a paper feels in your hands, by the neat “texture” it has.  But do you really want to compromise the image since it most likely will be matted and framed behind a piece of glass?  You really can’t feel it.  Yes some of the characteristics of the paper are still apparent, and very good papers will not compromise the image.  Despite the lack of deep blacks and dynamic range, many images look really good on matte papers with matte black ink used in the printer .... it can even add to the mood of an image sometimes.

Lately there has been a nostalgic effort to try and reproduce the look and feel of the old silver gelatin black and white prints, even to the point of using baryta.  I’m not sure if that really adds anything to the paper other than it smells like black and white papers from an era gone by.  And I really mean I’m not sure ... I just don’t know.

I must admit I’m old enough to have some experience in this area ... I had the full assortment of trays and tanks, and unlike most younger photographers, I have actually experienced the magic of an image appearing in the developing tray under a safelight.  My most recent exposure to silver gelatin prints was a couple of hours viewing an Ansel Adams exhibit at the Bellagio while attending Photoshop world.  However, to me there never has been anything “special” about the look of the paper itself.  Nothing wrong with it, but I just feel it’s a result of the manufacturing process, not an extensive testing of various surfaces.  Unlike today, I’m not sure there were a couple of hundred ways to make silver sensitive papers back then, so you made the paper in a way that worked, and voila ... you had the look of silver gelatin prints.

I enjoy trying different papers, but for the most part feel the RC papers still provide the greatest colors and sharpest detail.  I’m not alone in this ... many well known landscape photographers prefer these papers, and many still prefer traditional photographic paper over inkjet paper.  While I have a few matte papers I like, I’ve never considered replacing the mainstays of Luster and Glossy for most of my scenics.

I haven’t tried any of the baryta papers yet.  You can blow a lot of money and time if you get too wrapped up in trying papers, so I’ve been waiting to let things settle out.  Recently Epson introduced it’s new Exhibition Fiber paper ... touting it’s similarity to the look and feel of silver gelatin papers.  A lot of well known and respected photographers have been involved in the development of this paper, and there’s a lot of discussion about it.

Sorry for the long preamble ... I just wanted to make sure that when I tell you what I think of the paper, you understand my viewpoint has nothing to do with a nostalgic yearning. Nothing wrong with  that as a motive, but it’s been a few decades since I held a silver gelatin print in my hands, and I really don’t remember how that compares to all of the papers there are to choose from today.  It may be this new paper is a perfect match to silver gelatin, and it could be it just seems to be, but I’m in no position to offer an opinion on that aspect.

OK, sorry, off the soap box ... here’s what i think!

So from that perspective, let me say simply Epson Exhibition Fiber (EEF) has replaced Epson and Kodak Glossy and Luster for me - at least most of the time. I’ve always wanted to use a “paper” for my prints, but have never found a non RC paper which was visually rich and sharp enough for me ... until now.  It has a beautiful sheen to it - not glossy ,but satiny, and just the slightest subtle texture.   If indeed it matches those silver gelatin prints of old,  I now know what all those with much more experience in black and white are talking about, and why they have been trying for years to get someone to make them a paper like this.  I’m glad they pushed this through, and I’m glad Epson was willing to do it.

The paper itself seems more neutral than Premium Luster and Glossy.  So far it only comes in sheets, and they seem to stay much flatter than many coated sheets I’ve tried, which seem to have a little “curl” towards the coated side.  Some have reported EEF has a pretty touchy surface, but I haven’t had any trouble so far.  The paper is thick enough to feel quite sturdy, and it looks like it will be a great paper to matte and frame in the style favored by many landscape and fine art photographers.

One of the challenges of a new paper is getting profiles.  I almost always make my own, and may eventually do so with this paper, but for now I’ve downloaded the free profiles from Pixel Genius. Color guru Andrew Rodney has created very good profiles for most of  Epson better printers, and I can’t imagine I can create a better one myself for my 11880.  So far the prints I’ve made with these profiles are outstanding.  You can find them here ...www.pixelgenius.com/epson/index.html.

So even if you get distracted a little by the nostalgia associated with this paper, the bottom line it’s a fantastic and gorgeous paper that really makes the images look terrific... you should try it.