Digital BW, The Print

* -----Original Message-----
* From: borisw8 [mailto:boris@...] 
* Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 11:52 AM
* To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
* Subject: [Digital BW] clyde butcher carbon
* 
* 
* hi list.
* 
* just noticed in a recent newsletter that my idol/god/inspiration, 
* etc. Clyde Butcher is now offering 'archival carbon prints'.  looks 
* like he is using a large-format epson with ultra-chrome inks.
* 
* the really disturbing thing is that he is selling them for a 
* fraction of what he is selling his traditional photographs 
* for ($45.-  for a carbon 11x14 as opposed to $375.- for a 11x14 
* traditional !!!).  i assume they are neither limited nor signed.  if 
* not, that could spell trouble for someone like me who is not as 
* famous as he is and is asking a heck of a lot more for a 11x14 
* carbon print.
* 
* anyway, the links is below if you are interested.
* 
<http://clydebutcher.com/emarket2/home.cfm?emailid=64>

Boris,

That is a significant development. I am a real fan of Clyde's work. I have
always thought that the acceptance of digital B&W prints would depend upon
well known photographers switching to digital printing and the emergence of
new photographers who will have never done any traditional printing. So this
is a good step forward.

In your post you refer to his inkjet prints as carbon pigment prints but
they aren't. He is using Epson UltraChrome inks which are a full color ink
set using many different pigments. Since the display life of these inks is
lower than what people expect from silver gelatin or a carbon pigment inkjet
print that may explain his lower price. Or perhaps since he is still selling
silver prints as well, he is offering a lower price to steer buyers towards
his inkjet prints so that he does not have to spend so much time in the
darkroom. Or since they are on LexJet as Carl pointed out they don't look so
good. I have to say I would not be tempted to buy one of his inkjet prints
given the materials he is using. In any case setting prices is an individual
business decision and how Clyde prices his prints shouldn't effect how you
price yours.

Martin Wesley
http://www.carolyn.cc/Guests/MartinWesley/pages/MW_01.html
http://www.borderless-photos.de/guests.html