Digital BW, The Print

John,

You make a valuable  point that the image is of most importance, and 
that we mustn't throw the baby out with bath water by
getting bogged down in process.  However, I strongly disagree with your 
statement below.  Don't forget, it was Ansel Adams  who compared
the negative to the musical score,the print to the performance.  As an 
artist that began as a concert pianist, he certainly didn't minimize 
the
importance of print manipulation.  The print definitely was not 
secondary to the "decisive moment" for him (if you want to equate 
waiting for hours
for the proper light to makean image with Cartier-Bresson).  Likewise, 
many digital photographers love  the fact that they have added time to 
dodge and burn,
to use just one simpleexample, instead of having their print fog during 
extended print manipulation or during the process of blending images.
(By the way, I have spent 17 years in a wet darkroom, would never 
divest myself of  my darkroom equipment, and use an 4X5 enlarger with a 
cold head,
but, again, I am also thrilled with the luxury of time that CS allots 
me  during the creative process.) I bet you don't settle for straight 
prints.

Peter G.

P.S.  I don't think Jerry Uelsmann would agree with the below statement 
either.  He's embraced the digital process.

On Mar 8, 2005, at 3:49 PM, Djon wrote:

> . . . but it's uncommon for great
> photography, like great music, to involve great labors after that
> decisive moment. Just for a moment, think about the type of music that
> involves the latest technology and the most post processing.
>
> John
>