Digital BW, The Print

I just received my copy of B&W magazine and was delighted to see the work and writings/opinons of two of our fellows on these lists.  

As far as I can tell the are both still Piezographers.  That does not really matter...but what does matter is that they both were identified as digital printmakers....or actually as photographers using a digital process.  

The two in question are: 

1. Michael Kravit (p.26)
2. Keith Fishman (p. 106)

Michael gave an interesting viewpoint in the letters-to-the-editor section of the magazine.  Michaels letter is in response to earlier letters that were down on digital process and suggested to the editor that digital had no place in the mag.   Michaels letter was well written and balanced.  

Of course it was followed in that section by another letter that seemed ridiculously "unbalanced" with statements like this (and I do quote here...really!):  "Because with digital, how do you know if what is on the print is on the film?"  I found this especially humorous since I don't use film at all to create my own "photographs." 

Keith has an even more substantial part of the magazine.  Keith is profiled in the mag with several pages of images and written profile.  Not only that, he is also having an exhibition that was advertised with a full page ad by his sponsoring gallery.  I especially liked his image "Supporting Driftwood 2000"   (Julian Thomas I think you will like this one too.)  If you have not seen Keith's website, go visit.  He uses carbon quadtones to produce some stunning ethereal images (and at a purposefully small format).  When I saw his images of clouds and skys and fog, I could "see" them on a carbon Piezotype on a fine art paper...I imagine they look great on the paper.

It is good and encouraging to see that BW Magazine (the US mag that is...there is another in the UK that is very different) is providing space for digital printmakers.  

I only have one criticism....the article on Keith calls him a digital "outputter."  I think that sounds like a golf club.  I recommend that from now on we address ourselves as "digital printmaker" or even better..."Master Digital Printmaker" or for the more modest... "Herr Doktor Printmeister."  Something clear and catchy.  Just don't call yourself a "digital printer."  (wINK)  

Congratulations guys!

Steadman


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