> Am I not allowed to
>choose my own materials and my own techniques to produce my own prints?
>I am new to this list and therefore perhaps I am missing something
important
>here? .
>Help!
Gene
Of course you are right in that you wish to express your creative ability
in the way that best suits your intentions. The proof is of course in the
final print. Your bromoil of the seagull ( which came over with no extra
effort on my part with Compuserve's standard interface) amply demonstrates
the point. You have broken up the image to achieve the 'pictorialist'
approach of the early years of the century. The end result is very
different from the more purely photographic approach that would result from
the use of a brayer alone . But, as I am sure that you would agree, both
approaches are legitimate. It depends on the objective.
There are, however,people who prefer to work according to a book. They
prefer to have a guru or a tradition to follow. Some people claim that
there is only one way of making gum prints or platinum prints. These people
almost go as far as to brand as heretics anyone who chooses not to follow
the accepted tradition, as they have interpreted it, or the word of the
guru. This is as true of the small world of alternative photography as it
is of the larger world of religion and politics. The example of Galileo
comes to mind whose astronomical observations were seen as a threat to
established religious tenets. It did not matter whether Galileo was right
or not, Such an approach is a force for stability in a tribal society.
Our current tribe is that of the alternative processors.
But whatever their attitude, whether it be mould breaking or narrowly
parochial, people often have something to say that can lead to an increase
in one's knowledge.
So stick around, and listen and learn and make your own contributions;
they have certainly been worth reading. You do not need to read everything;
bellows were not my bag but the thread was of great use to some. The list,
as Peter Frederick has said, has become far more positive in its approach
over the past year. We have become more of a community of people of
like minds sharing information. Disputes and the occasional bit of
horseplay add necessary spice to our deliberations. But the list is a
very worthwhile resource. Long may it stay that way.
Thanks to Steve and Gord and the other people who make these discussions
possible.
Terry King