My First Prints

I think there are some things to be learned from these images, the first I made while in photo school, back in the day. First of all, these were made and printed in 1990 and they still look like the day I made them. Real, archival, silver prints, mounted.

I've noticed something in today's digital photo student, several things actually. First, little is taught about editing, and when we put digital cameras in our hands, in many cases, our brains seem to shut off and we end up with far more images than we ever needed or wanted in the first place. Consequently, students don't like to edit. The common scenario seems to go like this.

Student: "I was wondering if you could take a look at my work, I only made a loose edit."
Translation: "I shot too much and didn't edit at all."

Student: "I was wondering if you could help me pick by picking out your favorites."
Translation: "I was hoping you could edit it for me."

I think the important thing about these images is that they were EDITED, then printed, and not quick machine prints, or digital prints made quickly, but rather made in the darkroom, dodged, burned, etc, and then mounted. There was a thought process the entire way, something that I think is lost often times in these days of instant gratification.

The lost art of editing is, in many ways, going full circle, from the thought to the capture, to the edit and then the print. When you print, especially in the dark room, it doesn't come after quick decisions, it comes after you REALLY edit, and decide which prints you will dedicate yourself too.
Not only am I not opposed to digital printing, I do it all the time, but it is a VERY different experience than printing darkroom prints.
Why do you think so many collectors want silver prints as opposed to digital? Ask them.