I started using the Fotospeed Platinum Baryta paper recently as a change from my usual Innova paper (I was using their old FibaPrint semi matte which they seem to have discontinued and was a favourite of mine). The Baryta is a warmish toned paper. I often used to lightly sepia tone my darkroom prints and tended to use warmtoned papers so this suits my habits. The paper also does not have any optical brightening agents (OBAs) which is a plus from an archival point of view.
I liked the Baryta a lot with my Canon Pro 1000 so I decided to try the Glossy Art test pack that Fotospeed do. It has 3 papers (Platinum Baryta 300gsm, Platinum Gloss Art Fibre 300gsm, and Legacy Gloss 325gsm). There are 3 sheets of each in the pack. It was interesting to do side by side comparisons. I was especially interested in the Gloss Art Fibre (GAF) as it is supposed to be similar to a glossy fibre darkroom print. The GAF is a similar price to the Baryta whereas the Legacy Gloss is quite a bit more expensive.
Clockwise from top left. GAF, Baryta, GAF, Legacy, Baryta.
I printed the Baryta images using a custom profile. Fotospeed will do these for free if you buy their paper. With the other papers there are canned profiles available from Fotospeed’s website, but I printed using Canon’s black and white mode with the neutral setting. The GAF came out slightly cool using the Canon black and white mode. The other prints were more neutral.
I have to say that I really like the GAF and might use this more often now that I have tried it. I don’t think ther Legacy is worth the extra cost for me, but it is nice.
The GAF is a white paper with a very definite texture to it, but not so textured as to be distracting. It does remind me of a darkroom paper. The Legacy is very warm with the Baryta somewhere inbetween.
Different paper tones. From top. GAF, Baryta, Legacy
I would be happy printing on any of them, but I will be concentrating on the Baryta and Gloss Art Fibre from now on as my go to fine art glossy papers. The papers are available widely in the UK or from Fotospeed’s website.