Digital BW, The Print

Hi Mark,

> > Er, who are you talking to?
> ...
>
> ummm, I don't know who is who at this point:)

I assure you, I am not digi-phobic or digi-hostile.

> ...
> > > and I measured the grain
> > > in a Tri-X photo and back calculated the resolution needed to do
> > > resonable job capturing it...
> >
> > Why do you need to resolve to grain?  For what purpose?
> ...
>
> because in my mind you aren't matching a film's character unless you
> capture the grain... and that is once thing that I actually miss.

But grain is only one aspect of a film.  The tonal response curve is
another, and for me, is far more important.  I can change the grain
characteristics substantially by exposure and development.  I can also do so
to the response curve.

> ...
> > > You look at the image and either like it or not.  Edward
> > > Weston shot many of his photos with a crappy meniscus lens, not
> top
> > > name German glass... and 8x10" will always beat 35mm... where do
> you
> > > draw the line?  When an image is "good," not based on the
> equipment.
> >
> > No one was talking about "good" or "bad" images.  The discussion
> was a
> > comparison of converting RGB capture to grayscale or simply
> capturing using
> > grayscale in the first place.  That has not a thing to do with the
> artistic
> > content of the image.
> ...
>
> Maybe you are, but I'm concerned with the final image, everything
> else is almost meaningless once you hang your print.

Right...but that is a different issue than comparison, which is what was
being discussed...converting RGB capture to grayscale, or original capture
in grayscale.  That, as I said, has nothing to do with good or bad images or
image content, so sure, you can make spectacular images either way...but
there are differences that may or may not be significant to different
people, and may or may not be significant depending on the image.  And, to
compare the two, you really need identical curcumstances that show the
advantages/failings of each.

Regards,

Austin

> ps  I guess I only got involved in this long-winded arguement because
> I am home sick with the flu and not out shooting photos... pity.

I hope you get better soon!