The perfect print
June 2026
I began printmaking 58 years ago in my kitchen at night, printing 35mm Tri-x negatives using an Omega enlarger. I have always printed my own work because I do not want other people interpreting my negatives or digital files into print form, I want to do that myself. Of course, there are thousands of printers out in the world that are very fine printmakers, I know some of them personally. There is nothing wrong with having someone else make prints for you, Cartier-Bresson had Picto Lab in Paris print his negatives for decades.
Before digital I became respected as a very good printer because I learned through years of experience how to
develop my film by hand exactly as I wanted it. Fine prints always start with a fine negative.
Todays digital files coupled with Photoshop allow most photographers to produce their own fine prints. There is no perfect print because people have different ideas about what a perfect print is. That's flat, needs a bit more contrast. That's oversaturated, too much color. Too warm, too cool, not enough blacks, too dark, too light, etc.
I've settled on Red River's 100% cotton Palo Duro SoftGloss Rag 315 as my favorite paper, a warm white with substantial weight. Less in price than some of the other respected brands is a plus. I suggest giving it a try.
I began printmaking 58 years ago in my kitchen at night, printing 35mm Tri-x negatives using an Omega enlarger. I have always printed my own work because I do not want other people interpreting my negatives or digital files into print form, I want to do that myself. Of course, there are thousands of printers out in the world that are very fine printmakers, I know some of them personally. There is nothing wrong with having someone else make prints for you, Cartier-Bresson had Picto Lab in Paris print his negatives for decades.
Before digital I became respected as a very good printer because I learned through years of experience how to
develop my film by hand exactly as I wanted it. Fine prints always start with a fine negative.
Todays digital files coupled with Photoshop allow most photographers to produce their own fine prints. There is no perfect print because people have different ideas about what a perfect print is. That's flat, needs a bit more contrast. That's oversaturated, too much color. Too warm, too cool, not enough blacks, too dark, too light, etc.
I've settled on Red River's 100% cotton Palo Duro SoftGloss Rag 315 as my favorite paper, a warm white with substantial weight. Less in price than some of the other respected brands is a plus. I suggest giving it a try.
Ron Evans - Jun 24, 2026
