Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Duotone, tritones and quadtones
Duotones, tritones and quadtones are yet another wonderful method to
add tonality to a monochrome print, especially in the prepress world. A
duotone takes a monochrome grayscale image and typically uses a black ink
color for the shadow information and a lighter tone of another color for the
midtones and highlights. Tritones and quadtones use a third or fourth color
for i ner gradations of control. As tritones and quadtones are the same basic
concept as duotones, just with more colors in the mix, for the purposes of
this text we decided to discuss duotones alone.
From the youth
documentry
Reality from
the Barrio,
awarded in
Best Photos of the year
2003 by PDN magazine,
photographer Erasmo
Valdiviezo comments on
his photograph:
Duotones are created by printing a grayscale image in two dif erent ink
colors. Printing photographs by the duotone method produces a richer and
far greater tonal scale than is possible using only one color. Like split toning,
duotones allow you to work within the tonal range of an image and specify
a dif erent color to any particular value within the image's tonal range.
“This is my Grandma
Natty. She is 84 years
old and she still smokes
cigarettes, and she
slapped me after I took
this picture.”
~ Erasmo Valdiviezo
Age 15.
Duotones require a color prooi ng system that can substitute PMS colors
in place of the CYMK 4-color process, which, typically, most inkjet printers
cannot accurately reproduce. Before taking on a duotone project, it is
recommended that you consult your printer or service bureau.
For more information on
Reality from the Barrio,
See Outreach:
santafedigitaldarkroom.com
Photoshop has some great preset duotone templates, as well as curves
developed by my good friend Stephen Johnson. Use these as a great
starting point to create some pleasing ef ects. To access the curves, click
the Load button in the Duotone options box and i nd the “Goodies” folder
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