For those of you who haven't read this - or haven't read it lately...

Exeter2010

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This is a link to an article in Kirk Tuck's blog. Kirk is a prominent Austin, TX commercial photographer who wrote this in his blog back in 2007. I think it is still as pertinent today as it was the day it was written.

I'm sure many of you have already read this, but for those of you who haven't...It gives me a lift each time I do.

Thanks again Kirk!

http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/2009/04/everything-old-is-new-againphotography.html
 

Laurent

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Thanks for sharing, it's well worth the read !
 

IloveTLRs

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I read that a long time ago, and it still rings true. It was good to read it again, however.
 
OP
OP

Exeter2010

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Ron -

...big second from me on the watch comment!...
 

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M.A.Longmore

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Exeter2010 said:
Ron -

...big second from me on the watch comment!...
Click to expand...

Ooooh That's Nice And Shiny !

That's What Men Should Be Wearing.

I saw a guy wearing a White G-Shock, yesterday ...
Enough about watches, What Time Is It ???
It's Time For, Dallas Cowboys Football !!!

That's What Time It Is !


Ron
.
 

Mainecoonmaniac

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I enjoyed the article a lot. Thanks! I shot professionally during the days of film and had to give up photography as a profession due to the economics of photography. But Mr. Tuck gave me some insight about shooting jobs digitally. I'm not sure if I could hand the digital work flow involved with digital shoots. I still have all my analog gear and a darkroom and I love processing and printing my own work. But I don't think this will cut it in the professional photography world.
 
OP
OP

Exeter2010

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Mainecoonmaniac - I'm sure I must agree that any commercial or assignment pro must shoot digital to keep up with the Jonese's, or really, to compete at all in a world where film is barely recognized as viable at all anymore. It is unfortunate but true. The fact is, if I had any assignment and it had to be color, I would probably shoot in digital too. (although I'd have to rent the gear!)

That's [one of my] main reasons to continue on the B&W film / Wet darkroom track that I'm dedicated to and why the thought of "going pro" or pursuing assignments of any kind is out of the question for me anymore. I adamantly refuse to give up my precious materials and my venerable cameras! Many may disagree with me on this, but I still think and I always will, that there is NO substitute for a handmade, traditional black and white print. And it doesn't matter to me one whit how many Art Directors or potential clients disagree with that notion. No photography work for me? Oh well, I'll just do what I enjoy then and make my money elsewhere.
 

stillsilver

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I need to show this to my wife. She wants me to go digi for portraits. I keep telling her the learning curve and the cost on the back-end(printer ink) do not justify it. Plus, I only like doing wet printed archival B&W prints. I only shoot a portrait once every two months or so. It pays for my film, paper, and chems. I'm happy.

Mike
 

Mainecoonmaniac

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I admire your sense of artistry and craftsmanship. I think your clientele does appreciate the warmth of a portrait shot with film and hand printed. I haven't shot a commercial assignment for over 12 years, but I think with the downward pressure on fees, forces photographers to go digital. The old school billing of photography usually doesn't have budgets for post production which more and more photographers shooting digital are doing. However, I don't know if they can bill for it. I think photographers like you are rare wiling to give up profession than produce an inferior product. Some professional photographers just adapt to market conditions which can mean the degrading the quality of the final product like portraits. With commercial work, it's all reproduced in print or viewed on the web which is probably well suited for digital photography anyway.
Best,
Don
 

pentaxuser

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An interesting read. Can you or anybody say what has happened to Kirk Tuck's business since 2007? Thanks

pentaxuser
 

MaximusM3

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I think the last time I wore a digital watch was a Seiko back in the early '80s
 

MaximusM3

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pentaxuser said:
An interesting read. Can you or anybody say what has happened to Kirk Tuck's business since 2007? Thanks

pentaxuser
Click to expand...

He has a nice website @ http://www.kirktuck.com and from the look of it, I assume he is still using digital to make money and give clients what they want, with some film mixed in. Could be totally wrong, of course.
 

Sirius Glass

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I tried scanning and usign a stink-jet printer. That lasted until I had to buy new ink cartriges after ten prints. I went out and bought an enlarger instead. Besides, what is the use of doing photography if I can't get my hands in toxic chemicals?

Steve
 

fotch

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I never found anything digital to compare with watching a print develop or opening a tank and looking at my freshly developed film.
 

Colin Corneau

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Bravo...great find.
 

Kvistgaard

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MaximusM3 said:
He has a nice website @ http://www.kirktuck.com and from the look of it, I assume he is still using digital to make money and give clients what they want, with some film mixed in. Could be totally wrong, of course.
Click to expand...

I've been following Tuck's blog for a while. Seems like 2008 and 2009 were particularly bad years - financially speaking - but they also gave rise to a lot of reflection and introspection for him. As far as I can tell, his commercial business is once again on the rise.
 

pentaxuser

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It sounds as if his resolution, backed by some of his clients to make a move back to film failed and the universally lean years of 2008 and 2009 means that the initiative back to film has been halted by economic reality. Unfortunately I see no real evidence that this kind of trend reversal has been other than in the wish list of those who'd like to see such a reversal.

I liked his sentiment but I think we celebrate when there is clear evidence that commercial photographers are seen buying film and analogue cameras again.

pentaxuser
 
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