• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

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

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
202,886
Messages
2,847,064
Members
101,529
Latest member
Flo18
Recent bookmarks
0

Mike Crawford

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Aug 20, 2006
Messages
614
Location
London, UK
Format
Medium Format
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
 
A member named Flotsam has it in his signature credited to Neal W.

1745662367364.png


Edited to add his name was Neal Williams. Sean posted an in memoriam thread.
 
Last edited:
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.
 
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.
 
In woodworking, the direction of the grain matters. In photography, we talk more about its size.
 
Thanks all for replies and comments. I remember the names now having been reminded! Thanks again.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom