Is fine art Photography dead?
Charles Eicher
new archival photography project, something I haven't done in several years. And
I was astonished when I called my custom photo lab: they are out of business. I
called around to other labs I've used, they went out of business too. I finally
contacted one guy who bought one of the old labs, he's closed all his photo labs
and is solely doing PhotoCD scanning and Photoshop.
This is a very bad thing. Top labs that were focused on quality fine arts
printing are gone. They relied on economies of scale, the volume of commercial
photo jobs helped keep production costs low. But now the vast bulk of commercial
work has gone digital, there is no more economy of scale, and the labs are
consolidating or closing.
For traditional photographers like me, this is the death of the medium. Services
that were easy to get are now expensive and hard to find. It drives up the cost
of producing in traditional media, works that were already too expensive to
produce relative to the price they fetch in the market. I work in alternative
processes that are extremely expensive to produce, and now the cost has gone
even higher.
I still remember the last time I offered my alternative process prints to a
local gallery. 16x20 color prints of this type generally sell for $2000-$3000.
They wanted to sell mine for $250, and take a 55% gallery cut. The negatives
alone cost $150, and I spent over 20 hours producing this one 12-layer print.
And now things are getting worse. I just sent out a bid for these same
negatives, instead of $150, now they cost $250. Instead of using a local bureau
(which went out of business) now I have to send them out of state. I talked to
one of my old prepress buddies, he has the same problem with the cost of these
negs, he sends his work to Singapore for output.
I've been reading other rumblings of discontent in other photog circles. Some
portrait photogs are no longer providing real photographic proofs, only 72DPI
inkjet prints. This is to prevent the clients from scanning and retouching the
prints on their own, cutting the photographer out of the most lucrative parts of
their business, reprints. It's driving commercial photogs nuts, they're now
treating their customers like the RIAA treated Napster users, as the Enemy. I
recently had to have a portrait taken for publication, I contacted a local
portrait studio and told him of my requirements, he said he retained publication
copyrights and I'd have to pay extra if I intended to republish. I told him to
go to hell. Then I went and got a quickie Polaroid passport photo for $5.
I know the photographic world is in transition, under extreme pressure from the
digital world. But I never expected that it would now be almost impossible to
get conventional photo services. So I will add a plea here.
If anyone knows a place that is focused on fine arts photo finishing, please let
me know. If they have devices like a drum scanner and an LVT film recorder, that
would be great. If they have a DuPont 4Cast, that would be even better. If they
have a repro cam and are experienced at traditional color seps, that would be
even more awesome.
If I can't find these services, I guess I'll go back to oil painting. Nowadays,
I can produce a 10x20 foot oil painting cheaper than I can produce an 11x14
color print. I will be forced out of the photography market due to rising costs.
In parting, I will show photogs the future they face if they do not fight back:
>Photographer Wanted
>
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>Posted on: Fri Oct 4th 11:12 AM
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>Specifically, the photographer will be responsible to take digital
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>about positions, please send resumes to jo...@moveonin.com
(ad courtesy of http://www.fuckthatjob.com )
Ted E. Behr
>I know the photographic world is in transition, under extreme pressure from
the
>digital world. But I never expected that it would now be almost impossible to
>get conventional photo services.
The other day I received an ad in the mail for
a new portable record player that will play
all the popular old vinyls. And I ask, who
in the world still has vinyls they're holding
onto? I've even dumped my 8-track and cassettes
since my tape deck went berserk and I could
see no reason for replacing it.
What does this have to do with photographs?
Everything, if you think of the "march of
progress" and the resulting obsolescence it
entails.
Nik Maack
"Ted E. Behr" wrote:
> The other day I received an ad in the mail for
> a new portable record player that will play
> all the popular old vinyls. And I ask, who
> in the world still has vinyls they're holding
> onto? I've even dumped my 8-track and cassettes
> since my tape deck went berserk and I could
> see no reason for replacing it.
Proof for your ears that you have made a terrible mistake:
http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/AP
Proof for your eyes photography is not dead:
You're welcome.
Noumenon
> progress" and the resulting obsolescence it
> entails.
Ahh. Just another "progress" lover.
Cheesy quality of prints made with Taiwan ink jet printers - we call
"progress".
Uhu.
I thought it's only ignorant kids who think that 'digital' means
'awesome' top quality.
It is not.
There is no digital technology which matches ordinary photo process in
quality so far.
That is the reason why nobody uses digital cameras in movies - for
instance.
(Except restless Lucas, who used it in his latest "Star Wars" (Eps.2)
and even though it turned out to be of crappy quality.)
Charles Eicher
>
>
>
>"Ted E. Behr" wrote:
>> The other day I received an ad in the mail for
>> a new portable record player that will play
>> all the popular old vinyls. And I ask, who
>> in the world still has vinyls they're holding
>> onto?
Me. I have tons of old vinyl that is sufficiently noncommercial that it will
never be reissued on CD or any other format.
>>I've even dumped my 8-track and cassettes
>> since my tape deck went berserk and I could
>> see no reason for replacing it.
You ought to see what prices people are paying for old 8trk tapes and machines.
>Proof for your ears that you have made a terrible mistake:
>
>http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/AP
>
>Proof for your eyes photography is not dead:
>
>http://www.lagalerie.de/lagalerie_english_deutsch/l_a_galerie_artists/hatakeyama_english/undergrounde/undergrounde.html
>
>You're welcome.
You missed the point. I'm talking about film-based photography as a medium. It's
dying because it's not commercially viable even to develop color film and print
it on real photo paper. Sure, photographers haven't rolled over and played dead.
But I'm not happy with being forced into digital formats despite my preference
for analog processes.
Nik Maack
Charles Eicher wrote:
> You missed the point.
I had no idea there was only one. I thought there were a thousand
points, each leading to sub-points and sub-sub-points. An entire galaxy
of meaning.
You monotheists make me sick.
> But I'm not happy with being forced into digital formats despite my preference
> for analog processes.
The solution is obvious -- follow your bliss.
Ted E. Behr
>
>> Everything, if you think of the "march of
>> progress" and the resulting obsolescence it
>> entails.
>
>Ahh. Just another "progress" lover.
You took my remark out of context and applied
your own opposite to it. I am NOT a progress
"lover" or even a very good red-hot lover,
if you believe what authoritative figures
say of me. I am a nostalgia lover, if anything.
I love Victorian houses - and silk/lace undies.
I'm one of those who advocate saving historical
buildings in spite of the fact that we don't
have enough parking lots in the USA yet.
My remark was intended to decry "progress for
the sake of progress" - not embrace it.
Erik A. Mattila
Wim Wender's shot "Buena Vista Social Club" digitally, as well as "Until
the End of the World." Both were had outstanding visual qualities. In
fact, several film-makers use digital technology. The problem is that
the final product has to be transfered to film, because that's how
theater's play them.
Here's a partial list from: http://www.bad-lad.com/badlad/digifilms.htm
FILM: Anniversary Party, The
DIRECTORS: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Allan Cumming
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: John Bailey ("Ordinary People", "As Good As It
Gets")
DISTRIBUTOR: Fine Line
FORMAT/CAMERA: DVCAM - Sony DSR 500 PAL
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: EFilm
www.theanniversaryparty.com
FILM: Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner)
DIRECTOR: Zacharias Kunuk
DISTRIBUTOR: Isuma Distributing International
FORMAT/CAMERA: Digibeta
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Digital Film Group
http://www.atanarjuat.com/
This film was the winner of the Camera d'or for Best First Feature Film
at Cannes.
FILM: Bamboozled
DIRECTOR: Spike Lee
DISTRIBUTOR: New Line
FORMAT/CAMERA: MiniDV - Sony VX 1000
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Swiss Effects
FILM: The Blair Witch Project
DIRECTOR: Ed Sanchez & Dan Myrick
DISTRIBUTOR: Artisan Entertainment
FORMAT/CAMERA: Hi-8 (color) & 16mm (B&W)
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: 4MC
http:// www.blairwitch.com
The Blair Witch Project has grossed over $140 mil. domestically.
FILM: Book Of Life
DIRECTOR: Hal Hartley
DISTRIBUTOR: Fox Lorber
FORMAT/CAMERA: MiniDV - VX1000
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Sony High Definition Center
http://www.best.com/~drumz/Hartley/Films/tbol.html
FILM: Buena Vista Social Club
DIRECTOR: Wim Wenders
DISTRIBUTOR: Artisan Entertainment
FORMAT/CAMERA: Digital Betacam and DVCam
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Sony High Definition Center
Nominated for Academy Award for Best Documentary.
FILM: The Celebration
DIRECTOR: Thomas Vinterberg
DISTRIBUTOR: October Films
FORMAT/CAMERA: MiniDV - Sony PC7 (1 chip, pocket size)
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Lukkien
http://www.octoberfilms.com/thecelebration/
Won the Special Jury Prize at Cannes ’98. Made many year-end critics’
top-ten lists. Distributed in 35 countries.
FILM: Center Of The World
DIRECTOR: Wayne Wang
DISTRIBUTOR: Artisan
FORMAT/CAMERA: DigiBeta, DVCAM - Sony DVW 700, Sony PD100
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Swiss Effects
/www.center-of-the-world.com
FILM: Chelsea Walls
DIRECTOR: Ethan Hawke
DISTRIBUTOR: Lions Gate
FORMAT/CAMERA: DVCAM - Sony PD100
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Duart (Laser)
This film starred Uma Thurman, Kris Kristofferson & Steve Zahn.
FILM: Dancer In The Dark
DIRECTOR: Lars Von Trier
DISTRIBUTOR: Fine Line
FORMAT/CAMERA: Sony PD 100 & Sony DXC D30ws PAL
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Hokus Bogus, Denmark
This is a musical starring icelandic singer Bjork. Some scenes were shot
with 100 cameras simultaneously. Won the Palm D'or at Cannes 2000.
FILM: Hotel
DIRECTOR: Mike Figgis
FORMAT/CAMERA: DVCAM - Sony PD 100 & PD150 PAL
Stars Salma Hayek, Burt Reynolds, Julian Sands & Saffron Burrows.
FILM: The Idiots
DIRECTOR: Lars Von Trier
DISTRIBUTOR: USA Films (formerly October Films)
FORMAT/CAMERA: MiniDV - Sony VX1000 PAL
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Hokus Bogus
http://www.dogme95.dk/the_idiots/content/index.htm
This premiered at Cannes ‘98
FILM: Julien Donkey Boy
DIRECTOR: Harmony Korine
DISTRIBUTOR: Fine Line
FORMAT/CAMERA: MiniDV – Canon XL1 PAL
Korine wrote Kids and directed Gummo.
FILM: Keep The River On Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale
DIRECTORS: David Shapiro & Laurie Gwen Shapiro
DISTRIBUTOR: IFC Films
FORMAT/CAMERA: MiniDV - Canon XL1
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Animated Production Services
www.keeptheriver.com
Winner of the best Documentary at Hamptons & Amsterdam. Also won the
Special Jury Prize at LAIFF.
FILM: The King Is Alive
DIRECTOR: Kristian Levring
DISTRIBUTOR: Fine Line
FORMAT/CAMERA: DVCAM - Sony PD 100 PAL
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Hokus Bogus
http://www.dogme95.dk/menu/menuset.htm
A new Dogma film (Dogma #4) based on "King Lear".
FILM: The Last Broadcast
DIRECTOR: Stephan Avalos & Lance Weiler
DISTRIBUTOR: Wavelength Releasing
FORMAT/CAMERA: MiniDV - VX1000 and analogue format cameras
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Not Transferred
http://www.tebweb.com/lastbroadcast/
Released via satellite to five cities simultaneously in the US. Also
released via broadband by The Independent Film Channel. The film had a
total $900 budget.
FILM: Lisa Picard Is Famous
DIRECTOR: Griffin Dunne
DISTRIBUTOR: First Look
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Duart (Laser)
Produced by Dolly Hall & Mira Sorvino
FILM: Lovers
DIRECTOR: Jean-Marc Barre
FORMAT/CAMERA: MiniDV – Sony TRV900
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Swiss Effects
First French Dogme film.
FILM: Meeting People Is Easy
DIRECTOR: Grant Gee
DISTRIBUTOR: 7th Art
FORMAT/CAMERA: MiniDV - Sony PC7 PAL
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Colour Film Service (London)
Documentary on the band Radiohead.
FILM: Noroc
DIRECTOR: Marc Retailleau
DISTRIBUTOR: No distributor yet
FORMAT/CAMERA: D-9 (Digital S) – JVC BR-D4OU
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Not transferred yet
http://www.octoberfilms.com/thecelebration/
First Canadian Dogma film. Also first feature shot on D-9 digital format.
FILM: Original Kings Of Comedy
DIRECTOR: Spike Lee
DISTRIBUTOR: Paramount
FORMAT/CAMERA: DVCAM - Sony DSR 500
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Swiss Effects
http://www.kingsofcomedymovie.com
Has grossed over $40 million.
FILM: Park
DIRECTOR: John Carney
FORMAT/CAMERA: MiniDV – Canon XL1 PAL & Panasonic EZ1
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Shot off monitor, DIY method.
Made in Ireland.
FILM: Pinero
DIRECTOR: Leon Ichaso
DISTRIBUTOR: Miramax
FORMAT/CAMERA: MiniDV - Canon XL1 PAL
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Duart Laser
Stars Benjamin Bratt & Giancarlo Esposito.
FILM: Series 7: The Contenders
DIRECTOR: Dan Minahan
DISTRIBUTOR: USA Films
FORMAT/CAMERA: DigiBeta - NTSC
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Duart (Laser)
http://series7movie.com/
Premiered at 2001 Sundance Film Festival. Distributed worldwide.
FILM: Tape
DIRECTOR: Richard Linklater
DISTRIBUTOR: Lions Gate
FORMAT/CAMERA: DVCAM - Sony PD100 PAL
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Duart (Laser)
This premiered at 2001 Sundance Film Festival. Stars Ethan Hawke.
FILM: Things Behind The Sun
DIRECTOR: Alison Anders
DISTRIBUTOR: Showtime (CableTV Premiere)
FORMAT/CAMERA: DVCAM - Sony DSR 500 PAL
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: EFilm
Premiered at 2001 Sundance Film Festival.
FILM: Third World Cop
DIRECTOR: Chris Browne
DISTRIBUTOR: Palm Pictures
FORMAT/CAMERA: DVCam – Sony DXC D30ws docked to DSR1
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: 4MC
This film broke box office records in Jamaica, where it was shot.
FILM: Time Code
DIRECTOR: Mike Figgis
DISTRIBUTOR: Sony Pictures Classics
FORMAT/CAMERA: DVCAM - Sony DXC D30ws
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Sony High Definition Center
Shooting in one continuous take with four cameras simultaneously.
FILM: Wang Dang
DIRECTOR: Tom Noonan
FORMAT/CAMERA: MiniDV - Sony PD100 PAL
DV TO 35MM TRANSFER: Not transferred yet
Noonan won at the Sundance Film Festival with his first feature 'What
Happened Was'.