photo industrial complex

Sometimes Change is Good!

by EveNSteve

I’ve mentioned here and also in the Figital Revolution Manifesto (book) about the evils of re-branded photographic supplies (film/ paper/ etc…) but maybe things are about to change… and change can be good! Crane Museo Paper (Max and Portfolio Rag) have been acquired by Intelicoat (who by the way did the coating on these papers anyways) so what does this mean? First these great papers will still be made (and yes I did say great) and sold but now under Intelicoat (Crane will still supply the base paper of course). IMHO our industry needs more of this transparency as to who really makes or at least who is involved in the production of the products we all use. I would be very upset (pissed) to find out that several papers I just bought were all the same paper just with different names…this is not as far fetched as it seems. For now I will just be happy that one of my favorite papers will continue to be made…now if I could just figure out how to make some of my favorite films survive the coming decades that would be truly amazing. For more information on this Intelicoat deal click on the link:

Intelicoat Logo

"It" Takes Great Pictures

by EveNSteve

It? Who- or what- is this “It” anyway?

How many times have you said this: :”Yeah, It takes great photos“? But what does this really say about our relationship to our technology?

You are the photographer- right?…the camera is just a tool. Some of the best works ever made were made with not-so-great cameras, and, as we all know, give a camera to a good photographer, ANY camera and they can produce good work. Give a camera to an inept photographer- even the BEST-MOST-AMAZING camera- and can you reliably expect phenomenal results? Not so much.

The upshot? It ain’t the camera stupid.

Sure, the Photo Industrial Complex loves it when photographers pile on all praise and gratitude to them, ie: their products. And YES, there are some really good lenses and camera systems made that can enable you to get a shot or explore possibilities not possible with other equipment, but it is worth remembering that these tools are useless in the hands of an idiot… and yet marvelous in hands of a talented artists. The gear- or IT- is just a tool.

So the next time you are about to give credit for your vision, talent and hard work to the Photo Industrial Complex/your camera manufacturer- remember that, actually, you deserve the credit… after all, they already got their reward when they swiped your credit card.

A Thanksgiving Message

by EveNSteve

Yes, it’s Thanksgiving 2007 which got me thinking about the last year and what I have to be thankful for (photographically speaking of course.)

1. Film is still being made (YEAH) and seems to be having something of a renaissance.
2. Only one new version of Photoshop to upgrade to in 07 ( I skipped it anyways).
3. No major upgrades required for hardware or software.
4. Most new papers sucked or were rebranded previous offerings so I saved on costly testing and re-testing.
5. Photo Expo Plus in NYC was so boring that very little caught my eye or pocket book (thank god!)
6. My Leica lenses are still king and the new Nikon and Canon offerings are so not for me…no thank you.
7. My printing platform (The d’Vinci Printer) will continue to rock in to 2008 and beyond so no thank you to Mr. Epson, Mr. Canon or Mrs. HP.

So when I stuff my pie hole on Turkey day with too much food and drink and congratulate my self on accomplishments both real and imaginary as a photographer and artist I can also thank the Photographic Industrial Complex for making 2007 one least inspiring technologically and one cheapest years I can remember…now that is something to be really thankful for!