showing 'old fashioned' prints to clients

[Dakotah Jackson]

Had a museum call and want to look at what I could do for them on printing, copying older prints and reprinting, printing from glass plates and copy work on tintypes/whatnot and making prints for new displays.

They have had a few photographers in and all were digital copywork and all digital printing.

I came in and set down some silver prints, pt/pd prints from negs as well as older glass plate negs, color digital and then Ilfochromes(cibachrome prints) from the color work. The first thing the museum director did when the ilfochromes hit the table was say "I want those!" and with the pt/pd was say "they look like the old prints we have in the archives".

He then pulled out the samples from the other photographers and all were digital prints with some of them being very well done. None matched the silver, pt/pd or the ilfochromes. The museum went for 'real photography' with silver printing, pt/pd printing and ilfochromes where we were working from 4x5 to 8x10 chromes. Some will be done digitally, such as the copy work of older circuit camera prints that need to be restored.

They told me they have been having a hard time finding photographers who know what 'real photos' are and keep getting speils on the great advantage of everything digital. Trouble is that they want the original processes, not 'faking it' as the director termed so much of the digital printing and work they have seen. I had to take extra time explaining that for some work the digital route made the most sense but for others nothing works as well as the hand made prints but they would definately cost him more. He knows that and opted for the real deal, real pt/pd printing from the plates and real contact prints from many of the older negatives.

Kind of fun getting work I enjoy in processes I do and working with people who want it authentic instead of 'as good as'.

[bob carnie]

Dakotah
I have noticed the exact response with a group that are curating an exhibit here in town. They are not interested in getting RA4 copies of work in their collection, even though a large percentage are RA4 originals.
We are copying the oringinals through a digital process, and then outputting onto the new Digital Fibre paper, slight bleach tone and selenium and archival matting and framing.
Our quote is approximately 30-40% higher than anyones in town but they have decided to go with us for a consistant look that is in line with the era these originals were taken. They are also very keen and aware that these are toned fibre prints that will outlast their own envolment with their organization.
On a more commercial project , we are constantly making fibre toned prints*enlarger based from negatives* for Condominium Sales Centers. I would have thought that these yound designers would opt out for the more slick digital options and less price, but we are seeing a huge surge in our operations on our enlarger prints. Enough so that as most labs are tearing down their wet rooms we are expanding, I just am finishing off a mural room capable of 4ft x 8ft fibre prints off my Durst 2000W enlarger and the sinks are in place to process the prints.
I did not think I would be doing this 6 years ago, I thought the wet side of our operation was toast.
These are very funny times and I think that we are going to see more and more clients demanding the real deal.
Bob

[Ben R]

Not exactly the same but no one believes me when I tell them my Tachi is brand new...