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Re: [Digital BW] Esthetics of Sloppiness: Burning Questions of:Is it Authenticity or is it Marketing 101?

Re: [Digital BW] Esthetics of Sloppiness: Burning Questions of:Is it Authenticity or is it Marketing 101?

2001-10-14 by Steadman Uhlich

A good two bits Carolyn.  Thanks for the reply.  

What is it about the black paint brush strokes of a platinum (for example) print that makes it any better than a clean edge?  

What is it about the "sloppy border" that makes it look better?  (in your opinion)

Steadman
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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Carolyn Frayn 
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2001 2:15 PM
  Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Esthetics of Sloppiness: Burning Questions of:Is it Authenticity or is it Marketing 101?


  Interesting post Steadman.


  snip
  > POINT OF VIEW: 
  > Taking a "stance" here for esthetics (which is a personal choice) I think the
  > "trendy" "arty" looking "sloppy borders" look is...in a word....ridiculous
  > (anyone feeling offended?)

  The look is definately trendy, that is the whole point is it not... it must
  sell because I see it everywhere... but I think the look is on the decline.

  > I mean if you take a look around you will see it everywhere.  In many cases I
  > just don't see the justification.  And with "digital" images and "digital
  > edges" available, it just seems ludicrous (getting anybody's goat yet?).

  I actually like the look of some of my "sloppy edges" but I do not use
  filter effects or purchased effects, nor do I digitally produce mine. I use
  my own edges when I feel so inclined... it totally depends on the image.
  Same goes for my texturing techniques, I do not use anything premade or
  purchased. I just prefer my own unique look.

  I too am tired of the same edge technique used on so many images, this is
  one reason I have always used my own... no one else has them. ;-)

  Now, If a photographer uses the edges of their whole scan and it represents
  their look or style then I find it  suits their work and the effect is
  lovely...  

  I personally love the look of a gum or other alternative print framed in
  it's full glory with the edges (if the whole paper was not coated) of the
  coating visible.

  > I suspect that the desire to have the "look" of full frame..."just like those
  > pros use with big contact prints" is what is driving this.  What gets me is
  > that in many cases the "effect" is so noticeable that it encroaches on the
  > image to a point where the image would probably not make it on its
  > own...without the "effect."

  There are different looks you are referring to in this post... the look of a
  textured or masked edge with paint or other effects...  the look of a
  contact print or platinum glass rod pull, polaroid or full frame photo etc.
  The grunge design so popular in the nineties may have strated this "sloppy
  border" look or have contributed to it's popularity, but the full alternate
  photo look has been around a long time hasn't it?


  my 2 bits... Carolyn


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: [Digital BW] Esthetics of Sloppiness: Burning Questions of:Is it Authenticity or is it Marketing 101?

2001-10-14 by Carolyn Frayn

on 10 14 2001 1:19 PM Steadman Uhlich wrote:

> A good two bits Carolyn.  Thanks for the reply.
> 
> What is it about the black paint brush strokes of a platinum (for example)
> print that makes it any better than a clean edge?

Not better, just different, and in many cases fitting. Some art and some
alternative photography is framed so that the print "floats".. therefore
allowing a deckled edge to show. I like this too... why do we have to stick
with a clean edge? I don't think tradition dictates any one way of edging
our art. I've never had anything in a gallery .. and probably never will so
with this in mind I ask you... do you think that because most galleries I've
read about prefer a photograph mounted in a clean white matte this has in
turn defined what many see as the proper way to hang all photography?

> 
> What is it about the "sloppy border" that makes it look better?  (in your
> opinion)

Again, I don't think it makes it look better... I think it is wholly
dependant on the image and the artist... I have always created for myself
first.  Some of my photos or art look very nice with an artistic border,
others warrant clean edge look. So in my opinion it is not a matter of
better... just a matter of personal desire and taste. ;-)

Carolyn

Re: [Digital BW] Esthetics of Sloppiness: Burning Questions of:Is it Authenticity or is it Marketing 101?

2001-10-14 by Todd Flashner

> A good two bits Carolyn.  Thanks for the reply.
> 
> What is it about the black paint brush strokes of a platinum (for example)
> print that makes it any better than a clean edge?
> 
> What is it about the "sloppy border" that makes it look better?  (in your
> opinion)
> 
> Steadman


I'd say it's analogous to using a paper with a "flawless" surface like EAM,
vs a paper with a bit of randomness, texture, dimensionality, and craft,
like Orwell.

They're both good!

Todd

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