The purpose of this article is to document my learnings regarding black and white photograph prepress preparation in Photoshop for the offset printing process. I’m currently working on my second offset-printed book, and I am learning about this somewhat esoteric process. As a photographer, I consider myself well-versed in darkroom printing techniques, as well as preparing image files for online viewing, but prepress work for offset printing is something that I haven’t needed to know much about… until now.

Two Golden Gate Bridge detail shots made in October 2025.

For my Photography MA program’s research project, I hope to make a series of emotionally resonant portraits of flowers. The project will directly relate to my interest in visually capturing the beauty of transience.

Most analog photography enthusiasts, in 2025, are digital/analog hybrid practitioners. Who amongst film photographers doesn’t end up viewing and sharing their work as scanned, digital images? And then there are those of us, the weird ones, who shoot digital but print using the traditional darkroom silver printing process. This article provides a broad overview of this somewhat esoteric process as I personally practice it. 

And they are in color. Gasp!

Nitzer Ebb live at Slim's in San Francisco on September 27th, 2019. Douglas McCarthy front and centre, with Bon Harris seen in the back behind the electronic drum kit.

I have selected high-quality matting and framing components that aesthetically complement my work. Additionally, the materials selected adhere to the highest archival standards.

I'm happy to share that my photograph "Portrait of Maiko No. 1" has been selected for inclusion in the International Photography Hall of Fame’s virtual exhibition, "Vision and Viewpoint".

I am happy to announce that my toned silver gelatin print of the photograph "Ichiyuki-San Performs Kabuki Dance" (Portrait of Maiko No. 8), from my ongoing "Portraits of Maiko" series, has been accepted into the permanent collection of the International Museum of Dance.

Split-toned silver gelatin darkroom print on Ilford Multigrade FB Warmtone Glossy. 

Taking this project in yet another direction…