Digital BW, The Print

Hello Michael,

>working with view cameras especially 8x10" and larger
>- and to a lesser extent waist level ground glass
>finders on MF - certainly influenced my vision and I
>would expect many from this tradition have had similar
>experience...So the basic design of the cameras and not just the
>recording media have an effect on ones vision.  

Yes, can say the same here - worked with 35mm through 4x5, including
6x6 TLR which I always liked using.  Each one has it's own effect on
viewing.



>As the view-screens on digital cameras get larger
>there is some crossover with this 'viewing tradition'
>...I'm a fairly young 54&11/12 and could, if I wanted to,
>use the 8x10, but just can't seem to get up the
>enthusiasm for lugging it and tripod around anymore -

I'm currently using an 8mp Canon Pro-1.  I do mostly tripod work and
use its tilt-swivel screen like a miniature view camera (with a velcro
strap-on shade for bright outdoor work).  It isn't upside down, but it
does promote slower careful work.  I'm 59+ and have accumulated some
back problems which make it difficult to bend over to look through a
viewfinder when the tripod is in some odd position, which it often is.
 This new arrangement is easy on my back in two ways - being very
light weight as well.



>I wish my present digital camera (Olympus 8mp SP-350) would allow 
>viewing in B&W.  

The Pro-1 has a BW mode, and its RAW files retain the color data (have
you checked to see if the SP-350 RAW does this?).  So you can compose
in BW, then restore the color during RAW conversion and have full
color2bw control later in PS.  I like composing in BW - it definitely
affects the viewing.  The combination of the swivel screen in "view
camera mode" and BW composing has been wonderful and is a completely
new and exciting dimension in photography.  It's completely different
and, unsurprisingly, is triggering a different kind of creativity.

In combination with digital printing, especially now with the 2400
adding to the BO printing, it has given me a whole new photographic
life.  Truly an amazing time for photographers.


Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm