Re: Print Club

[George L Smyth <GLSmyth@xxxxxxx>]

I'll give my opinion and please remember, this is only my opinion.

Peter De Smidt wrote:
> 
> Michael,
> 
> Regarding:
> 
> >It's an interesting idea, but since these are for critique why not use RC
> >paper, what's the purpose of making them archival?
> 
> I have a couple of reasons, although if opinion goes against me, I'm
> sure something can be worked out.
> 
> 1.  I think that one should show only one's best efforts, and I think
>         that fiber paper's surface is better than the surface of rc papers.

The choice of surface is a personal one.  It is quite possible that one
would choose an RC's surface over that of fiber.  Also, the choice of
paper would not necessarily mean that one is not offering their best.

> 2.  My ultimate goal is to produce prints for collectors.  They prefer
>         fiber based papers, and the best way to practice is to do the
> activity exactly as one would when one is 'really' doing it.

There are plenty of well made RC prints out there.  I can't speak for
collectors (perhaps these prints would be sold to collectors?), but I
would think that a real collecctor would look for an interesting image
first, and the paper choice would be well down the list.

> 3.  Fiber based papers are easier to spot.

Okay, but isn't that something the person sending the print would do?

> 4.  One of the benefits of such a club is for people to get samples of
>         paper/developer combinations, especially ones that they might
> use to produce exhibition quality prints.

Exhibition quality prints can be made on RC paper.  There appears to be
some kind of bias here that RC papers are inferior.  This (to me)
indicates some kind of snobbery.

> 5.  Making fb papers is more work, although not that much more if one
>         uses Ilfords fixing process, and I personally don't want to make a
> whole   bunch of fiber based prints only to get rc prints in return.

Well, the fixing process is only one part of it.  You are forgetting
that the wash times are about tenfold, the drying times even longer, and
unless you want to imitate a flag in the breeze, some kind of press is
required to maintain some semblance of flat.  Also, I wouldn't mind
sending a fiber print and getting an RC print in return.  Again, isn't
the image quality the real issue?  Would you be upset if someone sent
you a print where the image was inferior to yours?

> 6.  Many infrared images lend themselves to toning, which is usually
>         accomplished more easily on fiber based paper.

I've heard this before and wonder where it comes from.  I have yet to
find a paper that tones the way Ilford MGIV RC pearl finish tones in
selenium.  Fiber papers are no easier to tone than RC.  Quite on the
other hand, they are more difficult in that they have to go through the
extended wash/dry/flatten procedures.

> 7.  I personally would like to mount and hang some of the photos that I
>         receive, and I hope that others might occasionally do this to mine!  So
> the purpose of the club is not just to receive comments, but also to share
> your vision.

You can hang RC prints.  I have RC prints next to fiber prints on my
wall.  I'm not sure what the problem is here.

For the record, the paper I think is the bestin the world and that I use
more of than everything else combined is Forte Polygrade Fiber, so I
normally print on fiber, but also like the choice of other paper on
occasion.

The above reasoning is the reason I suggested that we exchange post
cards.  We don't have to worry about "value," can send them cheaply, can
make multiples readliy, can more easily share our visions, etc.  I know
someone on Compuserve (who I traded numerous time with) that got over
200 postcards last year.  Talk about fun!  And isn't that what this is
supposed to be all about?  Get a lousy print - so what.  Get a print on
RC - who cares.  When value is removed from the formula I think that
things get better.

BTW, I'm not against trading prints (this is the only way I have been
able to afford some of the prints I have), I'm just thinking that
scalling down would allow for more participation.  If anyone wants to
send me a print (or postcard), I'd be more than happy to reciprocate.

George L Smyth
1028L Spa Road
Annapolis, MD 21403

The above are just my opinions and all flames should be sent to my
mailbox, not the list.  Reasonable disagreements are suitable for the
list and should be discussed.

george

- -- 
 Handmade Photographic Images     
  http://www2.ari.net/glsmyth/
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End of Infrared-Digest V0 #129
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