Andrew ranted:
>
> True Moose but...
> I have occasionally had a mini-lab do a process and print for me,
> using the enprints as proofs, and then gone on to scan the negs. It
> is amazing what disappears between dev and print - negs that had
> chemical stains, scratches and godwhat produced quite acceptable
> prints over the counter. I'm sure that some version of that Nikon
> oblique angle dust spot removal technology is used as a matter of
> course so that the lab doesn't have to bother with silly little
> inconveniences like cotton gloves, dust-free environments or even
> changing the chemistry too often. Consequently resolution is lost as
> it always is with 'reduce dust, reduce scratch' technology (think
> hi-fi filters too) and has to be restored digitally. Digital
> 'sharpness' enhancement as with genuine unsharp masking and even
> centuries old painting techniques requires the eye to be fooled in
> some way. Artifacts are deliberately introduced to create false edge
> contrast - I've increased the apparent sharpness of a portrait in
> Photoshop simply by selective micro-dodging and burning of the eyes
> (very effective incidentally).
> So - work dirty, knock out the consequent crap automatically, lose
> sharpness in that process, substitute false sharpness effects and the
> average customer is delighted. If I ran a minilab, I'd do that. In
> the old days you worked dirty, printed directly and hired a good
> retoucher. Plus ca change...
I think what happens at the average minilab is that they process the
film then print it pretty much straight away (so the prints don't have
too many dust spots, scratches, finger marks), then they leave the film
lying around on the floor for a while to pick up dust, scratches, etc.,
then they pick it up (with bare hands after eating fried dim sims for
lunch), cut it into strips and re-unite it with the prints in a plastic
wallet which has a high static charge (to attract further dust and
hairs).
> AndrewF
> (who just watched that really worrisome Robin Williams movie).
...and is worrying about what his local minilab is doing with the extra
prints !
...Wayne
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