Digital BW, The Print

Tyler...
Damn... this post is a fine example of why your input is appreciated on this group....thanks

jimbo
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: tboleyyh 
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2010 7:12 PM
  Subject: [Digital BW] Re: New Aardenburg Imaging fade tests posted


    


  --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "piezobw" <jon@...> wrote:
  ..
  > However, if longevity is not so critical - and image fidelity is not the most important factor - than why not just print in color and use Epson ABW?

  well because it sucks. I can get away with that, perhaps the backlash for you would be too great if you don't maintain a more civilized voice and stance, so thanks for helping to promote generous discourse in this community. 
  But I'm sorry, I don't want fine B&W printing to go backwards. I've argued and illustrated the superiority of the multi black systems I have access to, and compared the silver contact print, many times over the years to ABW. But that's just the technical stuff, I have to add that criteria for masterful photography has always had a technical element, it can't be helped, the process includes science. Add to that the visual impact differences. Now many don't see it, or if they do- don't care. Interestingly, often the people who are sensitive to it are those with a strong background in pre-digital fine print. Often people who don't care are new enthusiasts dslr, for whom good B&W was not even possible before ABW, so it is a revelation. We all welcome new photographers, but should they be who set the standards? Are we only trying to supply reasonable solutions to them?
  The variety of criteria, and expectations, are huge, why must any of us comply with another's? Why because one person argues to me ABW is outstanding I'm supposed to accept that? I don't expect them to use my setup. In fact, I'm somewhat jealous they have a readily available out of the box solution that makes them happy.
  I have old 3000 quad tone prints here I'd take over ABW, in a heartbeat. If it managed to force all other alternatives from the market, I'd make digital negs for platinum or head back to the darkroom. Oh wait, those solutions were crowded out of the marketplace as well. Guess what? ABW and many other "solutions" provided us now are not even as good as the old darkroom by some standards.
  Longevity has always been extremely important in photography, and historically one of the greatest scientific challenges. But what's the point of prints that last forever, that fall behind artistically?
  Thanks to everyone here working hard to develop systems that result in beautiful print, and/or promote longevity, hopefully we'll get it all, and make prints exceeding the photographic masterful quality of systems 100 years old.
  End of incoherent rant...
  ... and by the way, where the heck is spring?
  Tyler
  http://www.custom-digital.com/



  

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