Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul" <roark.paul@...> wrote:

> It looks like they are basing their guidelines on Wilhelm's numbers.  If Claria on brightened paper meets the criteria, the bar is nowhere near the 100% carbon images we are pursuing.  But, if you rely on Wilhelm, ">200 years" of dark storage sounds very impressive (that for Claria).  (That, of course, is not B&W and a degree of fade we might be a bit embarrassed by.)  And, all the products that are on the National Register list are good, but not close to the best and maybe not even what we'd be comfortable with.  

> For a much more accurate yet simply way to judge image longevity, I would recommend that the people who developed the National Register take a look at the "Conservation Display ratings" developed by Mark McCormick-Goodhart at Aardenburg Imaging. 

I've got a new project lined up with a local architect, I've worked her since the days when I submitted darkroom prints. I've been thinking of doing just what you suggested and including a printout of my latest Aardenburg results when we send the prints to the Register. I'm now at 90 Megalux-hours (item #144) and still holding strong. Mark plans to continue my test even after I hit 100.

> At http://www.aardenburg-imaging.com/documents.html the third document from the top is "An Overview of the AaI&A Conservation Display Ratings."  This PDF explains what I consider a better system of fade and image evaluation.  In the words of this document, "The Conservation Display ratings in the AaI&A lightfastness testing database indicate the range of acceptable light exposure to which prints can be subjected and still remain in very good to excellent overall condition."

That about sums it up.

> Looking at how long images will be in "very good or excellent overall condition" comes a lot closer to the criteria I would apply to my work or what I would be looking for if I were a collector or museum.

I want to go about this tactfully when I submit my prints. The Register's website states that they welcome new ideas and new technologies, but still...  

Your comments are what I was hoping for... Thanks, Paul