ArtNews article

Valerie · Mar 7, 2006

Interesting article....

http://www.artnewsonline.com/currentarticle.cfm?type=feature&art_id=2003

df cardwell · Mar 7, 2006

Fact as far as it goes. But every good deceit is built from facts.

True we are dependant on the manufacturer of paper, as we are dependant upon the manufacturer of a chip, firmawre, software, etc.

Unless we make our own pigments, or clay, we are dependant upon SOMEBODY else to provide our materials. That is the only difference.

Now, I'm going to the darkroom to finish a batch of enlarged 35 mm negs to use on some handcoated platinum paper. I'm coping just fine.

.

david b · Mar 7, 2006

A few thoughts...

"Collectors still balk when offered digital prints of any kind. " A very important factor in making art. If you are selling it.

"The choices confronting photographers in 2006 are stark. From now on, adapt or be left behind." Bullshit! This guy hasn't seen the recent Freestyle catalogue. Stark, to me, means having one or two option. We are lucky and still have plenty. For Christ's sake, Ilford just introduced NEW paper developer.

Sorry. I am a bit worked up.

agGNOME · Mar 7, 2006

david b said:
Sorry. I am a bit worked up.

Quite annoyed by this article too. While some of the information presented may be factual, as a whole it seems like a superficial, presumptuous, tired, and borrowed understanding of the state of traditional photography. Did this writer do any research? Or, was the research just a gathering of press releases from the very manufacturers and proponents espousing the demise of silver based photography out of their self-interest ?

Where is our voice? Are we (Apug) advertising in thoughtfully targeted publications yet? I may not have much to spare, but I would donate what I can for such a cause. Anyone else?

roteague · Mar 7, 2006

Letters to the Editor?

david b · Mar 7, 2006

go idea robert...

http://artnews.com/letters.cfm

Kino · Mar 7, 2006

I sent my letter!

Yes, this guy's "research" doesn't seem to indicate any effort beyond writing toward a pre-supposed conclusion.

My High School Journalism teacher would have whacked him with a ruler...

david b · Mar 7, 2006

Is there a way for us to get this to Ilford to have them make a statement to this magazine?

Jorge · Mar 8, 2006

LOL... I dont see why you all are getting hot and bothered about what an art critic says about the future of analog photography. It would be like me getting upset about what a cook says about the future of chemistry...

Jim Chinn · Mar 8, 2006

I wish magazines would simply leave out news about companies and their viability. By the time the magazine gets around to publishing the info it is several months old and out dated having been already digested by the relevant community via the internet. Even mags like Black and White Photography are woefully behind the curve with regards to news.

Sportera · Mar 8, 2006

I'm not too worried. I can't understand why its so cool to trash analog now a days. Whats the point?

roteague · Mar 8, 2006

Perception does seem to matter. I can't tell you how many photographers I have heard say "I'm going digital, because everyone else is". These type of editorials just reinforce a false impression. Yes, it doesn't make sense to get upset about it, but it does make sense to try to correct a false impression.

david b · Mar 8, 2006

I wrote to the editor:

Re: Altered States by Richard Woodward

As a photographer who only shoots film, I found this article poorly researched and frustrating when it can to the authors "opinions" on film products and their availability.

A simple email to Ilford would have found a company that not only survived bankrupcy (and is now in the black) but has just introduced TWO brand new paper developers as well as re-introduced an older, very popular film developer.

And in response to his lame and empty assessment, "The choices confronting photographers in 2006 are stark. From now on, adapt or be left behind. " , a simply request for a catalog from the photographic supply company Freestyle (www.freestylephoto.biz) would have resulted in seeing that there are plenty of b&w film and papers still available. Yes, the fact that Kodak stopped producing its papers hurt, but it did not kill the community.

I guess I will have to research Art News articles when I am done reading them.

Sincerely,
david b
santa fe new mexico

agGNOME · Mar 10, 2006

Thought you guys may be interested in another photo community's take on this article. Not exactly the responses I would have expected....anyway you may leave with a smile...enjoy:

http://www.lightstalkers.org/the-end-of-bw-printing-and-other-quandries#17444

(a site geared toward photojournalists)

ArtNews article

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