Digital BW, The Print

Of course this is my opinion...but it shouldn't be forgotten that 
tones in a print help to define the overall expression the person is 
trying to communicate. Whether it be black, white, or gray.

Someone mentioned Ansel Adams, Moonrise over Hernandez. I don't know 
what was in the photographer's mind or heart when he shot that. It 
was 1941...war all around. Also, it shouldn't be forgotten that one 
of the primary elements of that image was a cemetary with white 
crosses, not just the moon. In fact, he only got one 8X10 negative 
exposed. When he turned over the film holder for a second shot, he 
said, "but as I pulled out the slide the sunlight left the crosses 
and the magical moment was gone forever." What was AA trying 
to 'show' in that picture...?

Tho black and white imagery is a deeper abstraction of life (than a 
color photograph), it still is related to feeling in life. In life 
there is little total blackness, or whiteness. Life is mostly filled 
with shades of gray, from all scientific, spiritual, philosophical 
perspectives. Total blackness in life...maybe is only saved for 
death. I don't know where total whiteness is...maybe birth.

To forget that shades of the tonal scale emulates feeling, leaves a 
great source of expression out of the picture. It is why black & 
white work can sometimes better express feeling than color. If the 
tone doesn't belong with the expression, then it is a dramatic 
affectation, a lie that betrays the sanctity of art and clear 
communication. 

ken

http://www.kensmithart.com


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., Jerry Olson 
<jerryolson@r...> wrote:
> Harvey, 
> 
> I don't want to argue this, really. I know exactly what I like and 
what
> I do not like. I do not like gray prints. I like prints that have 
deep
> blacks. I much prefer Ansels later prints. I like the dramatic 
black sky
> look.  Always have, always will.
> 
> Jerry
>