Digital BW, The Print

Wednesday, September 18, 2002, 3:25:02 PM, Jerry Olson wrote:

JO> Why on earth would you need that info displayed?

JO> When's the last time you saw a silver print with the note that it was made
JO> on Oriental seagull grade 3 paper with heavy burning and dodging?
JO> Developed in straight Dektol... Overdeveloped 2 minutes to get added
JO> contrast... Yellow filter over the lens.... unsharp mask applied in the
JO> darkroom... Archivally washed,
JO> and Selenium toned for deeper blacks...

All excellent points. And most buyers, for whatever reason, would not
care about those processes used as you outline them above. Whether
dues to misunderstanding, acceptance, ignorance, I don't know.

JO> I present my work as a fine art print. Details don't matter, unless the
JO> purchaser of the print asks.

But mention to a prospective buyer that you pumped up the color by
using saturation controls in PS, or by using a color enhancing filter
and it WOULD matter to many, many more people.

Do not ask me why.  Ask the general non-photographer public.  But it
does.  And that's my point.

What we, within the photographic-artist group, feel/debate/discuss
amongst ourselves is one thing. How people perceive these newer
processes and the application of them, is another. Should it matter?
Is there a real difference when it all boils down? Perhaps not. But
the perception out there amongst others, which I have found when
talking to people, is that there is.

Best regards,
 Richard  

mailto:richard@...