Marilyn:
Just
some thoughts.
With
the correct substrate, a digital print can be made on any paper suitable for
making any of the ânormalâ photographic processes prints.
In
addition, with carefully selected archival inks, it should be possible to make
a print virtually indistinguishable for any of the processes that do not rely
on the reflective properties of the image itself ( consider the daguerreotype
).
That
said, we probably should separate the image from the artifact. Modern
digital technology allows for the easy separation of these fundamentally
different entities The image exists as a collection of binary data that
can be replicated accurately indefinitely. The print artifact ( the
actual print ) is a single instance of the image captured on a specific
substrate.
In
the past, the creation of prints required a level of effort that effectively
limited the actual number that could reasonably be made. Thus, for a
photographer like Clarence White, a few to a few hundred was the physical
limit on production. If the artist is of sufficient stature, then, over
time, individual instances of prints can become more valuable since additional
prints cannot be made especially after the artists death.
Now,
it is possible to make prints of photographs is whatever quantities the market
demands and the making of new ones in not terminated at the artists
death. These new prints can be actually indistinguishable one from
another if the appropriate paper and ink is used.
A
separate issue is the longevity of the paper used to make the prints.
There are available photo print papers that have a physical life expectancy
greater than any of the actual photo papers used in the past. Prints
made on these papers should retain value IF the ability to create new
instances in cut off at the end of the artistâs desired print run. This
is the functional equivalent of burning the negative. If the original
digital file is retained, I suspect that value will decline.
James
From:
owner-photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:owner-photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Marilyn
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2010 10:39 PM
To:
List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students
Subject:
Value of digital prints in the future
This may have
been discussed in the past, but I missed it. v I just watched a
television show that had past issues of the magazine Camera Work by
Alfred Stieglitz displayed. In the magazines were photographs, some
printed on very delicate, special papers. It caused me to wonder â will
digital prints in the future lose value because of the papers on which they
are now printed? I realize digital prints can be printed on almost any
type paper or material, but it just doesnât seem to be the same. One
print shared was by Clarence White (The Orchard) a platinum print on
tissue. Can a digital equal the delicacy and beauty of such a
print?
****
Have
you ever wished you could tell your childhood self a thing or two about
growing up?
Would the knowledge you know now have saved you from learning
things the hard way?
It's Tough Growing Up: Children's Stories of
Courage
Marilyn Dalrymple and Joan
Foor
www.itstoughgrowingup.com
