Digital BW, The Print

Good Afternoon All,

I have been in the photography business for over 35 years.  Very seldom do
people ask how long a print will last.  In fact if the conversation does
mention longevity, I say yes this color, "B & W", print will fade. We
explain that it depends upon how, where, etc. it is displayed. When, I don't
know, we are doing all that we know how to do and using the best process and
materials that are available.  Will I replace it if it does, of course I
will. When I started in this family business, all we did was B& W. When we
started offering color prints, which looked horrible, I begged them to buy a
B & W print so they would have a print that would last. I don't think they
would have taken a B & W print if  I had given it to them. They would say
that color looks so much better than B & W.
We have a responsibly to do the best we can with what we have. We can't make
the paper, ink etc, and I will advise you of this, if you keep waiting for
perfection, you will not be around to sell anything in this business.
There was a photographer in this city, who with his wife produced some of
the best B & W and oil tinted B & W prints that I have ever seen. He felt
that he was doing his clients a disservice to offer a medium that was not up
to his standards. His clients were the more wealthy in this town, they
deserted him and he went BROKE!
Every thing fades, your auto, the drapes, the carpet, even the Sistine
Chapel. Now I ask you, when the aforementioned items faded, do you think
they were replaced at no cost to the owner?
Most of us in this business realize the importance, "emotions", of what we
do, that is why we try to replace the photograph that we produced at no
charge.
I realize that most of you are producing art and not every day portraits.
But from a business standpoint we are all in the same boat. If this is to
far off topic I apologize.

Regards,

John in Okc
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steadman Uhlich" <steadmanuhlich@...>
To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2001 3:36 PM
Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Re: A Call for Standards (Permanence/Stability)


:   Mark,
:
:   Here is a case where I completely disagree with you.
:
:   Quality products usually cost more. And quality providers generally
offer some type of guarantee or warranty or commitment to quality.  The type
of "warranty" I am speaking of reminds me more of a Mercedes than a Yugo.
:
:   If an artist sells a piece of artwork, that is what the buyer is buying.
The image, the form, the creativity expressed.
:
:   If there is any questions on the part of the buyer about longevity,  I
think the photographer who does not "back up" his print (if sold as
archival) is the one to suspect and not buy from. ON the other hand if a
photographer told me he used the best, most expensive archival materials
available (for the medium) and...AND...told me that he was satisfied that
the print/image would last my lifetime...I would have increased confidence.
If this photographer also told me that if the image faded to oblivion (not
necessarily the same as tone or color shift or even yellowing of paper in
sunlight) and that he would replace the print for me during my lifetime...a
lifetime warranty...I would have "no argument" and would buy the print with
his assurance.
:
:   I cannot think of a better way to "warranty" the image/print than to
offer to replace it if needed.  That is standing behind your work.  I see
nothing "cheap suit" about that.
:
:   Of course the buyer should consider the source too.  If buying at a
sidewalk art fair from a guy that looks "fly by night" I would not have a
great sense of security.  IF on the other hand the photographer was an
established professional (as you are) or a "local" artist, I would feel more
secure in the transaction.  If the guy is traveling from town to town in a
RV selling prints...it may be a harder  judgement call on the buyers part.
:
:   Regards but Disagreement with your position.
:
:   Steadman
:
:   Mark Wrote: (SNIP)
:
:
:   The whole approach of upfront-offering them a free replacement
:   print just makes me weak in the knees. Somehow I feel like a
:   Yugo Dealer; "We build them out of aluminum cans, but we'll fix it
:   for free, EVERY single time it breaks!" That really inspires
:   confidence, huh...? Makes me wanna go shopping for a cheap
:   suit.
:
:   -M.Tucker
:
:
:
:
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