Digital BW, The Print

Hi all,

Well,  we stand here between two significant numbers for the group. We have 
just recently past the 1000 member mark and we are coming up to the group's 
six-month anniversary on the 28th.

We wanted to take the opportunity once again to thank all of you for your 
interest and your support. This is your group and the amount of information 
that you have contributed to the archives, as well as through your messages is 
very impressive. We certainly don't know of any other location that has as 
much data on various ways to produce B&W prints from digital files. You may 
have to do a bit of searching but we think there is something on all of the 
products and workflows.

The entire effort is a testament to the strength of "open systems" and the 
sharing of information. There is something here for just about everyone. There 
are workflows using the unmodified printer that came with your computer to 
exotic ink sets used with very sophisticated software.  There is info on how to 
take your digital files to silver prints by several routes. (Hopefully we will see 
more on this topic in the future. Anyone making silver fiber prints from digital 
camera files?)

Success has had its price in the number of ads we are being subjected to. 
This is unfortunate but since the space is free, it is not really fair to complain. 
While it would be desirable to move to a commercial free location, this does 
not seem possible given our lack of technical resources.

Four print exchanges have been run drawing from the group membership. 
One complete, one wrapping up and two in progress. If you haven't joined in a 
print exchange you are really missing out. It is an incredible way to see a 
broad range of the different materials and techniques in use, as well as a 
means of collecting excellent photographic prints. The quality of the work in 
the exchanges has been first rate.

The print exchanges caught the eye of Sylvia Lindman, a writer for PIX 
magazine, part of PDN (Photo District News). There is an article on the 
exchanges with photos by Paul Roark (congratulations Paul!). The URL 
address for the group appears at the top of the page. So the word of our 
efforts is spreading.

Most of all we remain impressed by the willingness of the members to help 
each other out with their knowledge and their time. It is a great community!


Antonis Ricos & Martin Wesley

<who started this list on July 27, 2001>