Digital BW, The Print

At 01:44 AM 1/6/04 +0000, you wrote:
>Oh, you *would* ask a "third-rail" question as your first in this
>group! ;-)
>
>IMO, the first thing to understand is that black-and-white
>photography is *not* merely "the absence of color". I'll go out on
>a limb and assume your interest in b/w comes from having seen
>some very nice b/w prints, either in an exhibit or in book form.  If
>so, it's a fair bet that those photographs originated on
>black-and-white film. Nowadays, of course, there's more than
>one way to get to a b/w print, and each "way" can result in a
>subjectively satisfying print. BUT, there's a learning curve
>involved, whichver way you go.
>
>My preferred "way" is with some form of black-and-white film. But
>you can try and make a go of it with your CyberShot, and I would
>encourage you to experiment with it (you just got it, after all - have
>fun!). Understand, however, that there will be certain limitations
>imposed by your camera (the "default" for 99.95% of all digital
>cameras is color photography) . The only way to discover these
>limitations, of course, is to get out there with your camera and try.
>Dealing with the limitations of a given medium can lead to some
>interesting results.
>
> >From the digerati I know, the bar for "good" b/w conversions from
>a digital camera pretty much starts with Canon's 10D, which is
>about double the cost you mention in your post. But I would
>encourage you t experiment with the Sony first, to get a feel for
>the all-ditial workflow, and take it from there.
>
>- Barrett
>
>--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com,
>"degan00115061" <degan@c...> wrote:
> > Greetings
> >
> >This is my first post to the group.  Most of the discussions
> >seems to be about printers and paper.  Does anyone have any
> >advice on which camera to use for B&W photography.  Does it
> >matter?  I mean, are there camers that have a function for
> >B&W?  If so, is it just as well do take color shots and turn them
> >into B&W on a computer?
> >
> > I just got a Sony DSC-P10 Cyber-shot for Christmas, and I'm
> > wondering if there is anything out there for under $600 that is
> > better for low-light without a flash and B&W?
> >
> > Any advice would be appreciated.
> >
> > Jeff

Jeff,

This kind of question is asked over and over and it usually gets the same 
series of  replies.  Nobody has a clue about your aesthetic desires or 
experience but is full of advise.

So...  my general advise to anyone is that it is a mistake to model a 
photographic style on a type of image that can only be gotten with a 
specific format or technical capability.  Equally aggravating to me are the 
people who insist that pictures made without sheet film or $2K pro cameras 
are some kind of serious compromise.

The thing to do is conceive of pictures that are aesthetically in synch 
with the mode in which they are made. Use your Sony to push the limits of 
what can be done with it and  match your  image-making skills to that.  I 
see more interesting work done with phone cams than Ansel wannabes and 
their Deardorfs.
Comparing 35mm with TX to a modestly-endowed digital cam isn't much of a 
point either - just as pointless as comparing the former with sheet film 
cameras.

I have to add that I got one of those damn digital cams for Xmas and it's 
making me crazy. There are "quirks", not limitations to overcome and the 
process of making pictures has to be completely re-learned.

AZ

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