tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331321633387292810.post1580036435268012592..comments2023-09-23T08:05:52.791-07:00Comments on Reciprocity Failure: And The Digital B&W Photographer Of 2014 Is...Stan B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17381743002180926900noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331321633387292810.post-5151719898902001142014-04-29T20:53:11.255-07:002014-04-29T20:53:11.255-07:00I likehow film looks, cell phone camera is a close...I likehow film looks, cell phone camera is a close second Virgin Mobile kind;)I HUSTLE AND OTHER THINGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02792130889337234842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331321633387292810.post-12461169280842571122014-04-29T14:59:52.510-07:002014-04-29T14:59:52.510-07:00Perhaps I'm needlessly obsessing on the times ...Perhaps I'm needlessly obsessing on the times that B&W digital doesn't work, which is admittedly decreasing, and is usually because of inadequate post. <br /><br />It's the other times that concern me, the times I honestly can't quite put my finger on, perhaps because of my own inexperience with it. Honestly, I don't know... which is why I asked in the first place.Stan B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17381743002180926900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331321633387292810.post-85657671105368339292014-04-29T14:47:58.752-07:002014-04-29T14:47:58.752-07:00Comment from Dave Reichert:
(and a damn good one a...Comment from Dave Reichert:<br />(and a damn good one at that)<br /><br />"Particularly interesting is that so many photographers (incl Salgado) are forever trying to make digital look like film. And so the question must be asked... Why? Why this need to disguise the new and improved medium as the something that it replaces? With all that digital offers- why do so many try and disguise it as what it is not?”<br /><br /><br />1. Because they like the look of film, but don’t have the ability or the desire to work with it anymore.<br /><br />2. Because they want to continue working in, or are afraid or unwilling to change a style they’ve become accustomed to and/or have been very successful with. (Probably Salgado’s answer.)<br /><br />3. Because they have the (mistaken) notion that film photography is somehow more “real” than digital.<br /><br />4. Because they’re street photographers who took up photography in a post-film world and they’re imitating their mentors from the 60’s and 70’s.<br /><br />5. Because they’re budding young photojournalists who… (see #4).<br /><br />6. Because heavy grain and stark contrast can make any shot “look better”. (The B&W counterpart to "HDR can make any shot look better.”)<br /><br />7. Because heavy grain and stark contrast can mask miserable technique.<br /><br />8. Because they don’t have a high regard for, or a very well-developed concept of genuineness or authenticity.<br /><br />9. Because the Instagram fad has sold them on the virtues of nuvo-antiquity.<br /><br />10. Because Photoshop and Lightroom “film” plug-ins are so easy to use.<br /><br />(I think that on an subliminal level, #3 is the most prevalent reason for anyone who moved from film to digital.)<br /><br />So, my question in response is, why does it matter? I know you know that B&W digital can be done “right”, so I don’t understand why you’re on this quest… I don’t think you’re the kind of guy who values technique over content, and spends hours searching Flickr for photos taken with a particular lens or camera, so why is it an issue? Whether or not you would admit to it out loud, I’m guessing that #3 is where you’re at…<br /><br />…and it doesn’t matter at all.Stan B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17381743002180926900noreply@blogger.com