I was sorry to see the last thread that discussed this topic ending in a flame war. I think the op brought up a good point and I wanted to comment on it.
I am one of those photographers who also "does it all", from image capture to final print. I do my own framing as well. If I can't print it, such as doing metal prints or very large sizes then I've chosen not to do them. It's not so much that I'm opposed to sending work out when necessary, but I've had ALL bad experiences letting someone else try to do my printing and I think it short circuits the design process.
The point is that I control the final outcome of my artwork from start to finish. I chose the papers, I process the images, I watch the prints as they come out of the printer, I tweak them and bring them to fruition like a mother hen, and then test print them all over again.
Call me old fashioned, but I've always thought that was the artist's responsibility. Photography has always been a CRAFT as well as an ART, and I suspect there are many photographers today who don't want to pursue developing the craft side of the process for whatever reason, and it's unfortunate because it cheapens photography as an art.
Patrick
Replies
Do you know of shows that police this well enough, so that people like you me and the other photographers of our mindset can display fairly?
I wrote several very carefully worded responses to the OP and then subsequently deleted each one of them, coming to my senses just before responding and refusing to take the bait. I'm sorry Derek didn't do the same as it is apparent this topic is too difficult for some to truly have an open mind and civil discussion about.
I recently purchased a large format printer and began printing my own work. Prior to that, I researched printing companies extensively and settled on a local wedding photographer couple who also ran a separate printing business out of their home. I visited them several times, observing the process, paying for numerous sample prints, choosing which paper looked and felt right to me, ensuring there was no deviation or adjustments to my submitted images versus the final print. When I was finally satisfied, they began printing for me and did so for the last 2 years.
As a part of my artwork process, I took those prints that I did not technically directly supervise and matted them myself, then I framed them in repurposed antique windows. This is a very customized and highly technical process and I felt that my framing became an integral part of the artwork and sets me apart in the photography category. Did I feel as though I was violating the spirit of the rules since I wasn't on site for each print job I sent out and had completed for me? Absolutely not! If fact, the only reason I chose to move my printing "in-house" is because I felt I could do it significantly cheaper in the long run........we shall see if that holds true!
Donald
Sorry I didn't do what? I'm not clear why stating my opinion is wrong. Aren't we having an open discussion here?
I think my attempt at being vague failed miserably! I simply meant I'm sorry you replied in order to engage in discussion as requested and had to deal with the types of replies you received. Reading your responses, I don't see how any rational individual without a preconceived agenda could have felt that you were being insulting or violating the rules of the site. That is all!
Oh, sorry. Misread you. :)
I completely agree with you as far as the reasons you do your own printing go. You get to run as many test prints as you want before you're ready to create the final image, while I have to pay for each one (I still do it, though. Each new image has several 8x12 test prints before I pay for anything large). Your finished pieces should therefore be superior to comparable pieces from labs.
As for choosing the paper, processing the images, tweaking them.. I do all those things as well. I'm just not in the same room as the printer. I don't believe that matters, and I don't think it cheapens anything. Superior images will always be superior images, no matter who prints them. To me photography is about the emotional connection between the photo and the viewer, not about the great frame job. This is why I've gone to printing on metal; full bleed images, no matte, no frame. Just the image and the viewer.
I see the value in a great frame job - some of my favorites on the art fair circuit have terrific frames - but there are many different ways of presenting photography, which I think enriches it rather than cheapens it.
I was sorry the second I posted the words "cheapen"...
Derek,
It sounds like you're doing all the right things. There are many ways to present photography and I agree that it's all about the emotional connection.
Jay
No problem, I get where you're coming from with not wanting to cheapen the art form. It just doesn't seem to be what buyers care about at the moment. They seem much more concerned with whether or not I "used a filter". I think the best way to combat the devaluing of our art form is to get out and educate the public about it, and we each can approach that from different angles.
I agree, Jay. It is a choice. You couldn't have said it better. When I'd be with my husband and another photographer who also did the printing side it would all be talk of numbers and formulae and chemistry, etc. He'd change the topic of conversation because I had no idea what they were talking about. I'm disassembling his darkroom now as he died two years ago and I'm finding books and tapes and magazines and annotated journals full of numbers. The darkroom easel has small pieces of paper with numbers. The enlarger has notes stuck on it. There are "masks" for the exposures. The craft of this is important to "some."
The art is another thing, but they are intertwined. This argument about printing your own or not printing your own is ancient. The classic argument that you don't have to print your own to be considered an artist (or photographer as he preferred to call himself) is, "Ansel Adams had darkroom technicians."
Connie.
It is up to each of us to determine who is an artist and what is art. I do not decide who is an artist. I am not qualified to do such. I merely point to the rules and our abiding by them.
Ansel Adams did not have to follow these rules. No did he claim he did every inch of the process, himself. I would care if he (if he were still around) were to enter a show I'm in, with the same rules whereby he did not do his own work yet the rules stated so. It wold not matter that he is a better photographer than I. It would matter that he would be competing unfairly, if he entered.
I don't care if many others choose not to do there own work. I care if I have to compete against them, for shows that state they must. Yet they do not openly divulge they are not.
Examples of some statements I've found in shows I am in or apply to..
"...All work MUST be original and of exhibitor's own crafting..."
most state "... Commercially produced are not eligible."
"...PHOTOGRAPHY: Prints created from the artist's original negative processed by the artist...."
"......"All work must be original and made by the hand of the applying artist."
"...1. All work must be original, handcrafted work. Artist guarantees the accuracy of the description of the works presented and the authenticity of the work as the creation of their own hands.
2. Work done by a production studio is not acceptable. All work must be designed and executed by the accepted artist...."
"...Photography: Photographic prints made from the artist's original image, which have been processed by that artist, or under his or her direct supervision, are included in this category. Photographers are required to disclose both their creative and printing processes...."
The "production studio" statement is noteworthy as a lab that prints for us is a "production studio".
Their prints are "commercially produced"
Which artists (photographers) are present at the production studio, standing over the technician, giving "direct Supervision" while they make those prints for him?
It is not a matter of choice to do ones own printing or not. It is about being honest and fair in entering the shows and the policing of such.
If I don't print and complete my own, then I DON'T enter shows where it is the rule.
I should have the right to know others have to abide by the same rule.
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