Re: Retouching

j.r.anderson (j.r.anderson@mds.qmw.ac.uk)
Wed, 18 Sep 1996 08:52:36 +0100

>>Why bother when we have photoshop ?
>>
>>pete
>
>Why bother? Perhaps for the same reason as when we want to buy Dassonville
>papers, Defender BB compound, Oriental Seagull papers, Aristo, Seed plates,
> . . etc. If you think that Photoshop is going to be around forever just
>like the above manufactured products I named, then there isn't any reason
>at all to learn how to make your own photo supplies. However, take a look
>at how fast software and hardware become obsolete (and at how difficult
>it's going to be to upgrade several thousand negatives into the next
>generation of "ultimate" software). Furthermore, if you are also willing to
>relinquish control of the artistic process to whatever manufacturer--be
>that chemical or digital/computer--comes along and thinks you ought to be
>doing your art in that particular way, then that's okay, too. However, I'm
>growing more and more of a cynical curmudgeon every day, and I prefer not
>having the Microsoft, Aldus, IBM, Apple, Kodak, Ilford, Agfa, etc.
>corporate entities tell me how I'm going to do, or not going to do, my art.
>
>
>Carson, I think it's a fine discussion. I, for one, am quite interested.
>
>Rae Adams
>rae.adams@gtri.gatech.edu
>
>P.S. In case anyone misses the demise of BB compound, you might want to try
>my homebrew substitute: 20 ml 10% potassium bromide solution, 20 ml
>distilled water, and 20 ml 1% benzotriazole solution. Add to 1 litre of
>paper developer as a restrainer for bromide papers; 30 ml of solution per 1
>liter for chloride or chloro-bromide papers.
>
>Anyone have a homebrew substitute for Dassonville's paper formulas?

Thanks for the formula! And I agree with many of your comments too :-)

Jonathan

PS the irony of your mentioning Oriental Seagull paper (or even more the
now virtually unobtainable Oriental Warmtone) is not lost on me, for one...

perhaps someone will eventually take up the export licence from Japan again
for that stuff...

Ooops... that was a silver comment and hence not very alternative ;-)