Digital BW, The Print

Art needs gestation time to develop and craft needs nutrients to grow.
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> From: "Michael Kravit" <michael.kravit@...>
> Reply-To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Fri, 5 Apr 2002 17:27:53 -0500
> To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> 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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