Digital BW, The Print

Paul, thanks for your thoughtful response to my provocation, for your
item-by-item discussion.

Your last point, about intentional self-limitation to B&W inksets is
the most important commentary I've seen on this forum.

The rest is technical, secondarily visual, like the distinction
between Accufine and Rodinal (one for fine grain and speed, the other
for sharpnes and edge-effect...but what about the images themselves?).
I accept that Accufine Vs Rodinal is an important debate (I'm a
Rodinal guy), but again, what about the images?

I visit many photo galleries:  digital technology has lowered the bar,
moving photo imagery more into the domain of technical people and  
away from the domain of visually skilled people (artists): Trite
rehashes of sunsets, nudes, rocks and trees, birds. On the other hand
etching,stone lithography, drawing and painting may be undergoing a
rebirth, like acoustic music...

> 
> The dedicated B&W inksets still have an edge in image quality.

but more importantly: 
> 
 My B&W productivity goes down when I also have color available.  I
> can't help myself from "wasting" time shooting flowers, pretty
sunsets, and
> other subjects just due to their color.  In short, color is a
distraction
> that, in the long run, hurts my B&W, which is what I'm ultimately
interested
> in and prefer.
> 
> In this regard, the more people that use the OEM inksets and color
digital
> cameras the better.  If they are like me, it probably lowers the
competition
> in the B&W fine art market.
> 
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com 
>