Who said, 'It's called grain, it's meant to be there.'

Mike Crawford · Apr 26, 2025

Hi all

I'm researching about film grain just now and suddenly remembered someone's signature on this forum, (going back to Apug times), was the quote above. 'It's called grain, it's meant to be there.' Or something like that. Anyone know where, or who the quote came from?

Thanks

Don_ih · Apr 26, 2025

A member named Flotsam has it in his signature credited to Neal W.

Edited to add his name was Neal Williams. Sean posted an in memoriam thread.

Ian C · Apr 26, 2025

This might be coopted from woodworking, a practice much older than photography. Google returns the following:

The quote "It's called grain. It's meant to be there" appears in the context of woodworking, specifically referring to the natural grain pattern in wood. It emphasizes the inherent structure and beauty of the wood itself, rather than trying to alter or conceal it. The phrase suggests accepting and appreciating the natural characteristics of a material, rather than striving for perfection or uniformity.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 26, 2025

The quote "It's called grain; it's meant to be there" is from Jack White (of The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and solo fame). He said this about analog recording and vinyl, expressing his preference for the imperfections and warmth of analog sound over digital perfection. The quote represents his philosophy about embracing natural imperfections in music rather than striving for the clinical cleanness of digital recordings.

loccdor · Apr 26, 2025

In woodworking, the direction of the grain matters. In photography, we talk more about its size.

Sirius Glass · Apr 26, 2025

Don_ih said:
A member named Flotsam has it in his signature credited to Neal W.

View attachment 397188

Edited to add his name was Neal Williams. Sean posted an in memoriam thread.

He also posted "I love the smell of hypo in the morning."

pentaxuser · Apr 26, 2025

Sirius Glass said:
He also posted "I love the smell of hypo in the morning."

I always thought that was Robert Duvall after he had left the employment of Michael C.

pentaxuser

titrisol · Apr 26, 2025

Sirius Glass said:
He also posted "I love the smell of hypo in the morning."

That was DrBob, one of the 1st members here
"I love the smell of hypo in the morning. It smells like creativity"

Mike Crawford · Apr 27, 2025

Thanks all for replies and comments. I remember the names now having been reminded! Thanks again.

Who said, 'It's called grain, it's meant to be there.'

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