Digital BW, The Print

Mike,

It is the old Art vs. Craft debate.  Only it really isn't a "vs.", it is
more a Yin and Yang relationship. If you have nothing artistically to
communicate you fail, no matter what your craft skills may be. If you do not
have a certain level of craftsmanship, you will not succeed in communicating
your artistic vision. You have got to have both. You should always work to
improve both.

The key is to strike a proper balance.

The concept of craft is also rather separate from the quality of the tools
and materials you have to work with. It is more about fully understanding
those tools and materials you do have, and learning to work within their
limitations.

Martin

----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Kravit" <michael.kravit@...>
To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, April 05, 2002 2:27 PM
Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Random Thoughts


> 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
>
>
>
>
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