Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/10/07

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Subject: Re: [Leica] re: Digital Prints
From: Mark Rabiner <mrabiner@concentric.net>
Date: Thu, 07 Oct 1999 13:08:12 -0700

John Haugaard wrote:
> 
> Jim Brick wrote, in part, regarding digital printing
> 
> >and outputted on virtually ANY
> digital output device, will always pale in comparison to a masterfully made
> silver print.
> 
> There is a dynamic depth and richness to a good silver print (Cibachrome,
> Monochrome, or whatever), that just cannot be obtained by splattering ink
> onto the surface of some paper.>
> 
> Well, if you _splatter_ dektol and fixer on _some_ paper there will be
> little evidence of mastery of the process, and you won't obtain much depth
> or richness, nor will you likely obtain a good silver print.
> 
> It doesn't take must mastery to splatter ink on some paper.  But, IMHO, a
> digital print, masterfully made, may be different from a silver print, but
> certainly can be beautiful and worthy of a portfolio or a place on a wall -
> away from direct sunlight. 8^)
> 
> Regards,
> 
> John Haugaard
> Decatur, Georgia

Most processes require a mastery over them.
In the middle 60's when I started printing I bought a Popular Photography Annual
which was printed in gravure and I had few prints which matched the richness of
the quality of this magazine which inspired me to realize what a full scale full
substance silver print could and should be.
Mark Rabiner
Silver should be able to at least match ink.