Digital BW, The Print

Martin,

I think that this is the key. One who has mastered his craft can express his
vision and not get bogged down and frustrated by the inability to tecnicall
express what he sees.

Many of us learned the Zone system when we were in the early years of out
photographic careers, some in the middle and still some late or never. Those
that did master the craft of building a negative and understand the
relationship of how it will print became efficient and hopefully competent
printers.

I think that when people say that it is the art that counts, the image is
everything, this is only somewhat true. Without the ability to competently
express that vision and make a fine print, the best image will suffer. On
the other hand, we all agree that a technically perfect but boring print
will never be a great image just because it was printed wonderfully.

Still again, some people say we should get out more and shoot more instead
of spending so much time discussing digital techniques and printing 21 step
wedges. Well, that is only partially true. I encourage all those starting
out in photography to shoot atleast 1 roll of film a day. To have their
camera with them at all times. Make lots of photographs and learn from the
process. In the begining you will have lots of awful images, but as time
goes on they will improve as your vision improves.

Many of us with a great amount of experience shoot in spirts. We may spend
10-15 days in a row shooting and print for the next 4 or 6 months. I think
it is rare to find a fine art photographer that shoots everyday or several
times a week. I would say that I shoot 2-3 days a month on a good month. I
must be motivated and be "in the zone". When I am, I tend to be very
productive and seem to be able to capture my vision. Yet, I can easily shoot
20 sheets of film and get that 1 special greatest hit. This is the process
that I have found that works for me. I need time for my creative side to
build up a vision. Currently I am working on 4 dieeferent projects. I move
from project to project depending on how I feel and how the wind blows.
(Sometimes literally if shooting in the Big Cypress as less wind is better).

So to those that say shoot more and print less setp wedges, if that works
for you.....then by all means go for it!

Happy shooting and printing....

Mike


Martin wrote:
> In the end this let me step back from
> a strict application of the Zone System to my own way of working that is
> Zone based but a bit more intuitive. Maybe it was just all the practice.

<snippity do dah!>

> We have to keep in mind that even though me may have mastered conventional
> photographic printing this is a whole new ballgame and there are no real
> experts yet. The technology needs to settle a bit and we need to put in
the
> practice time with these new digital tools.
>
> Martin Wesley