- The Tactile Nature Of Photography
The shift from film to digital has made the distribution of photographs to a world-wide audience as simple as turning on a light switch. However the photograph itself, the printed image in its final form, is often forgotten when images only exist as ones and zeros.
It is clear that the benefits of digital imaging far out weigh the drawbacks. What’s more, those drawbacks are becoming less and less of an issue as the technology moves forward. As a result, the tactile nature of photography has been lost in cyberspace. The photograph itself as a three dimensional object has been removed from the process to a great extent. More often than not images are emailed, or posted to a web page or blog. The ability to do this is extraordinary, but at what cost?
Where is the boundary between photographs and images? Has the definition of a photograph changed, or have we invented an entirely new concept of imaging? How long will it be before we can no longer hold a photograph in our hand, ponder its content, turn it over, read the date, and remember being there?
August 14th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
The Tactile Nature Of Photography…
The shift from film to digital has made the distribution of photographs to a world-wide audience as simple as turning on a light switch….
August 14th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
I highly recommend printing off some large prints of your best works at least once.
Even if you never hang them anywhere or show them anyone, holding a 17×20″ print of your work in your own hands is an impressive feeling.
I’ve been giving thought to printing photo postcards and mailing them to lots of people.
August 15th, 2007 at 2:50 am
I have been sending out photo postcards for the holidays and birthdays every year, and it’s been a hit with my friends and family. I usually use the canon software to import and optimize my pictures taken from my canon rebel xt, and then i print 6×9″ postcards on my canon pixma printer. I always use canon glossy paper, which yields brilliant prints, both color and black and white! Andrew, I think you should go for it and send your postcards! I’d love to hear how it goes!
August 15th, 2007 at 3:07 am
Recently I’ve buy a pigment A3+ printer (HP9180), I don’t want to be with 80 years with the work of a lifetime in a hard disk.
Since last month I am printing 1-2 pictures a day, sometimes A4, sometimes A3+, making my archive. When I’ll be an old man I hope have got many boxes full of photographs.
Yesterday I was talking to a friend about papers, and I use the same word as you to describe the diferences between Hahnemuhle Photo Rag and HP professional satin, both are good papers and behind a glass both could be outstanding, but in your hands… Photo rag is a joy to touch, is “tactile”, even sensual.
Sorry for my english, I’m from Spain.
August 18th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
hi i enjoyed the read