Hey guys, I don't know if I'm stepping on anyone's toes here, but isn't the final result the print?
I mean, I find it a bit weird when traditionalists get upset for manipulations done digitally.
I'm primarily a darkroom printer with some 20 years of experience, I have exhibited prints internationally, and let me tell you that I've never shown a straight print nowhere and to no one, except for educational purposes, to illustrate what a particular technique can do for your printing.
Manipulation is the name of the game, as far as I'm concerned. The negative is the score and the print the performance, as uncle Ansel put it.
And to be clear, whatever I do in PS, I can also do in the darkroom.
The main differences for me is that PS allows undo and preview of multiple manipulations at ounce, while in the DR each manipulation over the straight print has to be locked down individually and in sequence. Also, working a full day to arrive to the first final print is much easier done sitting down than standing up, leaning over baseboards, trays, sinks, etc.
I do both, and see them both as tools that help me get to the picture I had in mind when I made the exposure.
I completely understand Wayne's point though. For anyone trying to learn a technique is of paramount importance to know the "how" behind the examples they're presented with. That was why I offered him the additional information after his comment regarding the contrast of the picture I posted.
Even though x-ray film is inherently a very high contrast material, it's also very responsive to changes in development. I have managed to bring its characteristic curve into a shape which allows me to record a rich negative with good tonal rendition which is suitable for both scanning and darkroom printing.
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