Digital BW, The Print

> Subject: [Digital BW] John Sexton's comment on B&W print
> 
> 
> John Sexton wrote recently in his newsletter:
> 
> "To date I have never seen a black and white print from the 
digital domain
> that rivals the sensuous and tactile qualities of a well-crafted 
black and
> white silver print."
> 

This is a simple statement of opinion by a very reputable silver 
gelatin printer using large format film and processes it in a 
darkroom and prints it with a light sourced enlarger. I think it is 
a true statement that stands on its own; BUT I think some of the 
content of the statement has been read with different 
interpretations. It states the fact that HE has not seen a BW 
digital/inkjet print that strikes him with the impact of his own 
work. I have seen some of Ansel Adams' prints but few others that 
still stand out in my memory. The craftsmanship is incredible and 
the IMAGES are unbelievably full of meaning. 

The IMAGES, in my opinion, are the central topic on any photograph; 
and the techniques are the tools used to hone them to attempt to 
reproduce the photographer's feelings that were stirred to make the 
exposure; be it on film or on a compact flash card. An exceptional 
IMAGE should be given the optimum rendition the photographer is 
capable of with the existing tools as hand that he is comfortable 
using. I feel that this applies to all types of photography/end 
results. Some take the exposure on film and then scan for printing 
on an inkjet printer; and some are digital/inkjet all the way 
through. My main desire is that the photographer channel all his 
efforts to create the finished image/print in the manner that best 
conveys his feelings/desires at the moment of exposure using the 
tools he/she is comfortable and skillfull in using. 

If John Sexton were to use a digital camera, software, inkjet 
printer, and inkjet paper; could he produce a print that would stand 
head and shoulders above one of us using the same equipment? 
Probabley not, because our passion is in our chosen media and his is 
in his chosen media. I am proud of the work I do in my chosen media 
as he is. Each chosen media should stand on its own merits and not 
continually being compared to another similar chosen media.


Soap box mode OFF now.


Your friend in Photography,

Johnny