Digital BW, The Print

> I bet there are dozens of people who actually think Dylan 
> could sing!

Many years ago I was among those who thought Dylan "sounded like a dog
with his hind leg caught in barbed wire", but in those days I never
really listened closely.  Later I came to have a real appreciation for
what he _did_ with his voice.  He used what he had with great
effectiveness, and communicated with a tremendous amount of
expression.

To me it is related to my current feelings about photography.  I have
been to Mark Tucker's web site several times to enjoy and study his
work.  I have for some years felt a tug to break out of the mode that
"good" photographs have to look like 
AA/Westons/Strand/Sexton/Bond/Tice, et al, all of which I love.  But
looking at the works of Ralph Gibson, Edward Boubat, Marc Riboud,
Imogen Cunningham, Laura Gilpen and many others reminds me there is
another world out there.  Yet when I go out "cruizin for snaps" (Fred
Picker quote) I find myself, sometimes unconsciously evaluating what
to stop for in the former mode.

I recently came across a photo web site filled with the most gorgeous
work, yet I had almost a feeling of dispair as I looked because it was
the same old acceptable subject matter

- Falls and mountains in Yosmite and other Sierra areas  
- Dunes at Death Valley
- Wagon wheel at Bodie
- Old church doors
- White clapboard siding in stark sunlight
- rivers winding into the sunset with Tetons in background

I understand it.  You can be so in love with a style that you,
consciously or unconsciously, try to emulate it.  It doesn't mean
you're evil.  But there's other life out there...

I don't think Mark Tucker has broken out of the mold - I don't think
he was ever in it (Mark, correct me if I'm wrong).  I really like his
work - very refreshing.  I love doing landscape work, among other
things, and probaby will continue.  But I hope I can bring something
unique to it.  And if I ever find myself in Bodie I promise I will not
photograph the wagon wheel.

One hope I have for the upcoming generation of full-frame digi cams
like the 14n and Ds1 (I'm assuming that someday I'll use something
like this) is that in getting away from film I'll escape the fetters
which always lurk in my mind about how many pics I'm shooting and
what's it going to cost in time, effort and money.   I want to feel
free to shoot like crazy whenever I feel moved to, without evaluating
whether it is worth the investment.  I feel like I'm on the cusp of a
big change in how I photograph, and certainly getting into digital
printing is part of it.  I am eagerly looking forward to
the changes.  Bring it on.

Regards, - cj