Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Shilesh Jani" <shileshjani@...> 
wrote:
>
>...But put an RC 
> paper under gallery-type spots, and they blow away the matte papers. 
> I mean really blow them away - how can you compare Dmax of 2.5+ to 
> 1.6 on the same wall. As has been said often, it must be like 
> comparing silver prints to Pt/Pd; different looks, but can be made 
> equally compelling in the right printers hands.

Shilesh, I'm not picking on you, your post is simply at hand and easily used to make a 
point. In fact, the rest of your post, which I have conveniently snipped, indicates you 
probably agree.

So onward-

I see these kinds of opinions stated primarily by photographers, rarely other artists. I think 
most of us really need to get out from in front of our computers and test prints and get 
out and see some master work.
We just spent several hours at the SFMOMA. After hours of paintings and other mediums 
with all kinds of physical materials qualities, brought alive by amazing workers each in 
their own way, we come to the Modotti/Weston exhibit. There were platinums and silver by 
both artists mixed together. Perhaps the previous hours had beat down our photo print 
preconceptions and opened our eyes, but there seemed to be no difference at all. You 
either liked each one or not on it's own terms. In fact, I never even thought about it until 
days later reading your post.
Nothing really blew anything else away, I mean really.
We all have a lot to learn from our eyes, instead of our brains, when it comes to materials 
and craftsmanship. This relates to the other thread about what makes a great B&W print as 
well.
It's become obvious to me over the years that photographers isolate themselves in their 
own world detrimantally. In fact, when you read about the Modottis and Westins and 
others who set the standards of our media, they hung with other artists of all kinds, rarely 
other photographers.
Tyler

PS- there were inkjet prints at the SFMOMA, and they were simpley called inkjet.