The digital age is in full swing. Silver will be around for a great, long while , but will eventually become an anachronism. Nothing wrong with digital, of cou rse; I look forward to purchasing a D1 or its successor once the price comes do wn a bit.
This summer, I decided to celebrate the chemical darkroom by building one in my attic. Learned to do plumbing, and remembered what I had known about framing an d electricity. Today sees it looking almost finished. Next weekend, Ill proce ss my first film in it, in the company of Mozart or Dexter Gordon.
Those of us who like our cameras big and clunky are an opinionated lot, with str ong tastes. Me, for instance. All day long, I tinker with computers for a livi ng. I also choose to wear a wind-up mechanical watch, and drive a twelve year o ld Volvo with a manual transmission. Intentionally retro, to be sure, but all t hese things are choices.
Digital may soon be the obvious medium for fine art work, but nothing will eve r replace the contemplative experience of leaning over a tray of chemistry, watc hing your print emerge in the glow of the safe light.
No message today, friends, except, indulge your obsessions!
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