Digital BW, The Print

At 02:41 PM 2/27/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>> That camera obscuras were used before the fixed image has nothing
>> to do with
>> photography. There was nothing remotely like photography before
>> photography.
>> Read Batchen's "Burning with Desire" for one of many helpful books that
>> clear up that issue.
>
>Alan;
>
>My point is that we should consider the history of the camera's impact on
>the way artist's see the world - I have read Batchen and I don't think it is
>at odds with my concerns. If we agree or not Hockney make makes interesting
>comments on this issue in his latest.

Wendel,

Yes! I have been wanting to get DH's new book.  He is brilliant with any medium.
There are other books that covered the subject of pre or proto-photo.
Van Derrin Coke and Szarkowski come to mind.
I think the fact that optical devices were used to aid naturalistic painting
isn't nearly as important as the psychological, philosophical, cultural,
affect fixing an image had and still has. Method doesn't count and that is
where you want to make a distinction and I don't. Pick any method at any
time in the history of the medium and you will find remarkable analogies to
the digital aesthetic and craft.  It is purely a business decision not based
on craft or philosophy on the part of BW I believe. I see the mag as a slick
catalog as much as anything. 

I wonder if the guys who are most upset know the photo market that well (not
that I do)?  I would think there is a niche for everyone and your point
about not being accepted (into a particular niche) now makes sense to me. 

AZ


>> Why make a distinction between digital printing and the dozens of other
>> methods of making an image from film?  One could privilege any method of
>> printing in that way.
>
>The reason for my distinction is that digital imaging offers the artist a
>flexibility that does not exist in photography. That is not good or bad, but
>it is different. And I guess that I am reluctant to believe that there is
>some sort of photographic conspiracy against digital prints or images but
>rather a recognition of the difference between the two.
>
>With regard to "seeking approval" I only meant that there seemed to be a lot
>of disappointment here in the list with regard to the decision of B&W
>Magazine or the presence of digital images at AIPAD.
>
>But I could be completely wrong...it's just my observation.
>
>Wendel
>
>
Maker of Lookaround panoramic camera.

www.geocities.com/soho/gallery/8874/
         or
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