RE: Food for thought

> I think that idea of technological depth has some
> effect on a print's uniqueness, and more to the
> point, it directly relates to the issue I have
> been calling "authenticity." The deeper the
> technology the less the
> authenticity.

The following view may not be politically correct, on
a pinhole photography discussion group, but here goes...

I guess this guy would have to argue that music produced on
vinyl is some how more authentic than music produced on
compact discs, if indeed "The deeper the technology, the less
the authenticity" Technology advances and changes, but that
fact doesn't diminish the integrity of the art which it
facilitates, at least in my mind.

The author appears to forget that the processes that he
embraces as "more authentic" were technologically cutting
edge at one time, and were undoubtedly denigrated as not
being as "authentic", at that time, as the technology which
preceeded it.

I usually find that people who argue in this way are usually
those who have become entrenched in a particular manner of
doing things, despite advances in technology. As time
progresses, and easier and better ways are found to accomplish
tasks, they become frustrated as they see relative amateurs able
to effortlessly produce the same photographic effects that
they continue to labor for hours and hours to produce.
It is no wonder that they become resentful and denigrate
other processes as "less authentic".

In 200 years, folks will think it is hilarious that anyone
ever argued that a darkroom with an enlarger was any more
authentic than a "darkroom" with a scanner and ink printer!

I love pinhole photography, and the unique images that can be
created, but I do not feel "married" to the low technology way
of doing everything in photography, nor do I feel my "art" is
any more "authentic" if all my output is the result of 50 year
old methods of producing images. I like to mix in high tech
componants that work for me- a pentax
digital spot meter, a palm pilot to assist me with difficult
exposure problems, a microtek scanner to scan negatives and
digitally adjust output. And, if I choose to make my final
prints with an inkjet, then anyone would be hard pressed to
make me feel guilty!
Received on Tue Jun 26 21:27:48 2001