DKT said:
not meaning to disagree John, I know you do HABS/HAER work--but in my experience that program is about the only one left still exclusively using fiber paper. I have talked with the head photographer of another Washington DC gov't based building survey ., and was surprised to learn that they used digital cameras now. Not even film anymore. On the state level--the survey programs are largely supported by Federal funding, and these often use small format roll film instead of sheet film, and alot of them use RC paper.
I can also say, that the state archive in my system has largely used RC paper for the past decade at least--along with the 5-6 museums in the system. I can't even think of the last time I made a fiber print at work--although I can, we have a huge darkroom and a custom slot hood behind a big sink. We use this for sepia toning RC prints. Fact of the matter is--most museums and archives use RC papers and machine processors and have the ability to make the fiber if they really have to.
It comes down to money in the end. You look at the the end use of the prints--and it's not a work of "art", but something that is used for accessing information. The longterm file is kept on film, tucked safely away. There can be multiple sets of files as well--with master files and user negs. If the print is a one-of-a-kind "artifact"--then it too, is tucked away and really not even used--ever. It sits in storage forever.
If y'all don't believe me--check with your state archives. Most of them don't even have photo dept's. or photographers on staff. The Federal ones are using everything from Frontier prints to inkjets and dye subs now. Film--polyester based sheet and microfilm--is the standard. Not so much prints.
i know what you mean - before the end of the decade i am sure the habs program will all be done on digital too. i know a lot of the states have down-sized from 4x5 - 8x10 to 35mm. the states say that they have no place to store all the negatives and prints. i guess i am just lucky the habs guys still like / need fiber
... but i am sure once jack boucher and jet lowe are gone, everything will be submitted on CD ... and since they ( jack et al. ) print everything on azo, and will be no longer --- kodak won't have one less reason to keep making it ... and THAT will be a sad day.
it wasn't too long ago that all national register nomination forms & inventory forms required fiber prints, and they switched to rc because there are so few people that print on fiber (commercial labs that is ) and if they happen to find a fiber printer, they charge anywhere from 20-50$ a print, depending on who you go to --- and if you are surveying a 50-100 house neighborhood or doing a nr nomination that has more than 1 photo, you are not even going to make 50¢ / hour by the end of it all ...
i know here in rhode island there are no labs that print on fb ( all lightjet ), and it is only through word of mouth you will find anyone who does fb on the side for $$. in boston, on the other hand there are a few people left, but, all but one that *i* know of, insist on putting hardener in their fixer, so if you need something processed or printed for habs program you are outta-luck.
i am sure that in a short time the survey and nr nominations will be done in digital too, considering they pay so little to have anyone do the work ... i always get sent proposals to photograph a 150-300 house neighborhood and they pay peanuts, which is probably the reason why schools with preservatin studies graduate programs tend to get the contracts, so their students will basically do it for free ( read: classwork/experience) and it helps pay the teacher's stipend. otherwise by the time you are done shooting and taking the film to a lab, you basically spent the total amount they offered to pay you AND the forms aren't even filled out with all the info they need for the submission ... THAT is another couple of long days depending on how many you have to deal with...