Of course the reasons will be personal but I have thought about this because
I have been asked many times at art shows by people looking at my work. I
usually give them one or more of the following:
1. I am totally in control of the printing process. I make the negative. I
choose the process. I choose the paper. I choose how the sensitizer is
applied. I choose the developer. I choose the toner. I do not have all
this freedom with factory made paper and processing chemicals.
2. I am intimatly envolved in making the print since nothing has already
been done for me; therefore, I am more emotionionally involved with the
image.
3. I can select a process to fit the subject. I can alter the image by
selecting the process.
4. Prints made with commercial paper and chemicals tend to have a similar
appearence. I want a different look.
5. There is more subjectivity in alternative process printing and, therefore,
more art. (my opinion)
In connection with this I believe that electronic or digital imaging is
rapidly becoming the "factory" process. Gelatin-silver will gradually
become an alternative process.
Bob Schramm
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