Black & White Question(s)

Scott BuelScott Buel Registered Users Posts: 134 Major grins
edited March 9, 2006 in Mind Your Own Business
Hello-

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum, but since it directly relates to my fledgling business, I thought I would post here.

How does Smugmug stack up with their printing of Black & White prints VS. services such as Mpix, who feature the true Digital Ilford B&W paper? There seems to be plenty of information about how they tested their printing service for color prints, but I was at a loss for much info. on the B&W.

Just briefly, my business is already my grandfather's business, but I am "inheriting" it. My grandfather owns 40-50,000 black and white 35 MM negatives and 5X7 glass negatives and postcards of turn of the century Michigan and features maritime history, farm scenes, trains and railroad depots, lighthouses, automobiles, airplanes, downtowns, etc. and also stuff like the death of Jumbo the Elephant near Sarnia, Ontario and images of the Purple Gang.

Before I pay for my "pro" Smugmug account, I am currently shopping for the best way to digitize and organize his collection. So far, I'm considering the Epson 4990 Pro to digitize. Also, I have an appointment with the head archivist at Western Michigan University here in Kalamazoo to tour their archives and tap her expertise on proper preservation, storage, and cataloging techniques.

Anyway, if anybody has any suggestions about how to go about doing all of the above, please respond.

Sorry that this got a little away from my original question, but what the heck. By the way, speaking of Mpix above, does Smugmug offer any products like they offer- like the framing, calendars, trading cards? I know they offer coffee mugs and mouse pads, right? I've also read on someone else's post (sorry, can't remember who or which forum) that discussed calendars from Lulu.com.

I'm also in the market for a good web designer. Any good reco's?

Thanks,
Scott

Gene Buel Historic Photography

currently advertised on http://www.boatnerd.com until my Smugmug account is up and running.
Check out my galleries : scenes from the past

Scan Cafe: let the pros do it

Comments

  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 9, 2006
    Scott Buel wrote:
    Hello-

    I apologize if this is in the wrong forum, but since it directly relates to my fledgling business, I thought I would post here.

    How does Smugmug stack up with their printing of Black & White prints VS. services such as Mpix, who feature the true Digital Ilford B&W paper? There seems to be plenty of information about how they tested their printing service for color prints, but I was at a loss for much info. on the B&W.

    Just briefly, my business is already my grandfather's business, but I am "inheriting" it. My grandfather owns 40-50,000 black and white 35 MM negatives and 5X7 glass negatives and postcards of turn of the century Michigan and features maritime history, farm scenes, trains and railroad depots, lighthouses, automobiles, airplanes, downtowns, etc. and also stuff like the death of Jumbo the Elephant near Sarnia, Ontario and images of the Purple Gang.

    Before I pay for my "pro" Smugmug account, I am currently shopping for the best way to digitize and organize his collection. So far, I'm considering the Epson 4990 Pro to digitize. Also, I have an appointment with the head archivist at Western Michigan University here in Kalamazoo to tour their archives and tap her expertise on proper preservation, storage, and cataloging techniques.

    Anyway, if anybody has any suggestions about how to go about doing all of the above, please respond.

    Sorry that this got a little away from my original question, but what the heck. By the way, speaking of Mpix above, does Smugmug offer any products like they offer- like the framing, calendars, trading cards? I know they offer coffee mugs and mouse pads, right? I've also read on someone else's post (sorry, can't remember who or which forum) that discussed calendars from Lulu.com.

    I'm also in the market for a good web designer. Any good reco's?

    Thanks,
    Scott

    Gene Buel Historic Photography

    currently advertised on http://www.boatnerd.com until my Smugmug account is up and running.

    We print our BWs on Fuji Crystal Archive paper. I myself do A LOT of BW printing, and find the quality to be very very good. My site is www.moonriverphotography.com

    If you'd like, I'd be happy to fire off a test print for you. You can email me at help@smugmug.com with a link to an original size bw, your mailing info, etc, and I'll send you a print on the house, so you can judge for yourself.

    We don't have books, cards and calendars - yet. We hope to, in the future.

    As to web designers - most can easily be done by yourself and help from us here on the forum. I will guide you through the process :D

    In the meantime, here are some great resources for you:

    In particular:

    The customization forum:
    http://www.dgrin.com/forumdisplay.php?f=31

    Our customization FAQ:
    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=26043

    Some Really Well Done SmugMug Sites:
    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=27713

    Customizing For Dummies
    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=25441

    We also have a forum dedicated for our pros:
    http://www.dgrin.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29

    Check out the "Pro Tips Thread"
    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=20236

    And, dont' forget our SmugBlogs: http://blogs.smugmug.com

    Pro Corner: http://blogs.smugmug.com/pros/

    All the best,

    Andy
    House Pro
    Andy

    Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
  • Scott BuelScott Buel Registered Users Posts: 134 Major grins
    edited March 9, 2006
    Andy wrote:
    We print our BWs on Fuji Crystal Archive paper. I myself do A LOT of BW printing, and find the quality to be very very good. My site is www.moonriverphotography.com

    If you'd like, I'd be happy to fire off a test print for you. You can email me at help@smugmug.com with a link to an original size bw, your mailing info, etc, and I'll send you a print on the house, so you can judge for yourself.

    Thanks so much, Andy. That is a most gracious and generous offer. I'm waiting for my Epson scanner to show up so that I can scan some negatives and I'll zip you one right off. It should be here in the next few days, I'd hope.

    Thank you for all of the wonderful resources. I'll be sure to dig into all of those links during my lunch hour.

    Thanks again,
    Scott

    ps- I really dig your moonriverphotography site! Nice job...
    Check out my galleries : scenes from the past

    Scan Cafe: let the pros do it
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 9, 2006
    Scott Buel wrote:
    Thanks so much, Andy. That is a most gracious and generous offer. I'm waiting for my Epson scanner to show up so that I can scan some negatives and I'll zip you one right off. It should be here in the next few days, I'd hope.

    Thank you for all of the wonderful resources. I'll be sure to dig into all of those links during my lunch hour.

    Thanks again,
    Scott

    ps- I really dig your moonriverphotography site! Nice job...
    Thanks so much! Sorry again we missed your post yesterday - very rare for this to happen, I promise you!

    I'm looking forward to working with you!
    Andy

    Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
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