Digital BW, The Print

At 04:14 PM 4/6/2002 -0800, you wrote:
>Art needs gestation time to develop and craft needs nutrients to grow.
>t
>
>> 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!>
>> 


 When I studied photography long ago and far away the deal was you learn
some basic stuff - it ain't brain surgery - and get down to seeing and
thinking about art, imagination, and life in general. It was understood that
the tech stuff would be dealt with if and when you had the need for it. You
can kick an image into life from a pretty conventionally-made negative. 
I know too many photographers who are still looking for the next piece of
equipment or sneaky lab trick that will do it for them. Their vision is
somewhere in early 20th C. Modernist mode. Decoupage or needlepoint would be
more demanding on the imagination. 

AZ
Maker of Lookaround panoramic camera.
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/8874/
         or
keyword.com lookaround