- Joined
- Dec 31, 2002
- Messages
- 504
- Format
- 35mm RF
I totally agree that a respectful approach is needed. After all, it is ALL photography, and no approach is better than the other. Just different.
I will say, however, that it took me about five years to become a decent darkroom printer, and it took me about two weeks to become a decent inkjet printer.
The difference, I think (and this is my opinion), is that when you're shooting film you are almost 100% responsible for the results. You use tools that are rudimentary and tangible, hand tools, basically, AND it's a process that takes a long time whether you get a good print or not.
Digital can take time too, and for some it might require as much time as the darkroom, but once you learn a work flow it still baffles me that anybody would find it difficult to get an inkjet print right - especially from a nicely exposed digital capture. No joke or ill meant comment, but I honestly think it's almost too easy as long as you have the right materials in a good printer and good software.
I mean absolutely no disrespect to digital shooters and printers, this is my experience; but my opinion is that darkroom work is much more difficult than a digital work flow.
With multiple toning techniques, lith printing, selective bleach back and re-development, re-development in lith developer, various stages of using several contrast filters within the same print, getting the exposure and development of film *just* right to eke the maximum possible out of a frame of film, the list goes on and on. It is my feeling that it takes a lot more to arrive at the maximum possible from the darkroom than it does from the computer.
The results can be blindingly good from digital. I know this. It's how the world spins these days. But I just can't get along with the fact that it takes as much work with digital as it does with film and darkroom. I just will not agree with it.
If you shoot digital raw, it's going to take you a heck of a lot longer then 2 weeks to learn how to master the print. With raw you often don't expose "perfectly"....you expose to the right of the histogram then master the image in the darkroom.
I think that the length of time it takes to master a wet or dry print is not a good metric to judge a medium by.
Both film and digital take a very long time to learn to do right and at a master level.
Despite what many may say, both mediums afford the photographer a huge amount of control; one not more then the other.
As a traditional photography instructor at a non-profit in central MA I am wondering how other attract new students to film. The instant gratification of the digital age makes it an uphill fight but I find that some "see the light" once they experience the darkroom. The question is how to get them through the door?
Thanks,
Paul:confused:
Another good way is to make use of the Freecycle system. Just join your local Freecycle group, and post free ads which get e-mailed to everyone in the local group. Easy enough to find on the 'net.You know that half dozen cameras you've got lying around, that you don't use anymore? Put them in the local classifieds as free for pickup
I think the deeper problem is with an instant gratification society. :-/
My general attitude towards the whole thing these days is "f 'em I'll shoot with what I want to shoot." Commercial and/or professional markets rarely cared much for anything but the monetary edge anyways.
"The success a photography business is decided whether he or she shoots film or not. "
Not anymore.
Never hear of a client asking for film anymore. Sorry. I feel the same as you but reality is reality.
As I said, if you have another means of financial support then go for it, otherwise, sooner or later you must face the music.
"Both film and digital take a very long time to learn to do right and at a master level."
I find it is a constant learning process! I'm learning everyday! Smiles!
I believe both do involve it's creativity. Developers and developing process with film does affect results a lot.So is this where you develop the negs yourself and send them to a lab to make prints? Is most of the creative process in the developing or the printmaking?
until I can print digital images in a darkroom, i'll be shooting film
until I can print digital images in a darkroom, i'll be shooting film
You know that half dozen cameras you've got lying around, that you don't use anymore? Put them in the local classifieds as free for pickup and throw in a roll of film as well (if you put the ad online, be sure to include some pictures to show how cool the camera looks) and when a kid shows up at your door, show him/her a few of your best prints and recommend your favourite lab. That'll get them hooked for sure, and you'll feel much better giving someone a break you wish you'd had when you started in photography!
Emil
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