Digital BW, The Print

Hi Clayton,
Not meant as a criticsm as the name is quite ok w/me but there still
might be fussing from alternative process people. The carbon prints
spoken of are most often ,in fact, made with carbon inks. The ink is
used to prepare the emulsion for the tissue used in printing. Tis a
long and winding trail we wend in the naming :)
Duane
 
> 
> I still think Carbon Ink Print has fewer negatives and more positives
> than all the others.  But there seems to be some resistance to using
> the word "ink", as if somehow that lessens its stature.  To me it's
> just the oposite - it describes accurately what we're doing and adds
> an aura of distinction.  I think that's an important element in
> whatever name is ultimately used.  Our prints need a unique, distinct
> and elegant identity, one that implies as much respect and prestige as
> "platinum" does.  Imagine a prestigious gallery advertisement:
> 
> Platinum prints
> Carbon Ink prints
> Silver-Gelatin Prints
> Gum Bichromate prints
> Carbon Prints
> Salt prints
> Albumen prints
> Photogravures
> Tintypes
> Daguerreotypes
> Calotypes
> 
> Do any of the other terms fit here as well as Carbon Ink?  We need a
> term that carries its own weight in this line up.  It needs to:
> 
> - accurately describe what it is to a layperson
> - be easy to remember and say, to "roll off the tongue easily"
> - not sound contrived, too mechanical or technical 
> - not seem to be defensive (the term "archival" seems that way)
> - not be confused with anything else ("Ink" takes care of this)
> - imply longevity ("Carbon" is an already established term which does
> this)
> - fit, in an emotional or romantic sense, with the others 
> in the list.  Somehow to me, anything with "pig" in it doesn't quite
> make it - it simply lacks elegance.
> 
> Please understand that I'm not arguing for this because I made it up,
> I didn't.  It's just one of many that I've seen used (forums, web
> sites, books, magazines, gallery ads).  It just dawned on me one day
> that there was no agreement and that it's hurting acceptance, so I
> made a list of all the terms I knew of.  Carbon Ink Print is simply
> the one that seemed to best fit the requirements, and after a lot of
> thought it became apparent that someone needed to make an effort to
> get some agreement and get it moving along.  So I wrote the two
> articles on my web site in hopes that something will happen.
> 
> IMO, quite a few years will have to pass before Carbon Ink Prints (or
> whatever we call them) gain the stature of the others in the mass
> mind.  Not because they are inferior, but simply because anything new
> has to take time to seep in and find its place, plus it is still an
> emerging technology.  I believe the term we use will play an important
> role in the length of time and degree to which this happens.  It
> partly a PR challenge.  Remember the story about how diamonds weren't
> a viable world-wide commodity until the "A Diamond Is Forever"
> campaign made them desireable in the mass market?
> 
> It's not too late, but I think we need to get on with it.  I think we
> need to agree on something and begin using it and getting others on
> board.  Those of us who show, in galleries or any other venue, should
> insist that this term be used in the promotions.  Don't let the
> gallery owners decide for us.  
> 
> Regards,
> Clayton
> 
> 
> Info on black and white digital printing at    
> http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm