The Process

Intertwining traditional and digital processes when creating a photographic image may encompass a multitude of forms and variations in degree.  The combination of the two approaches may take shape during various points during the process of capturing an image to it presentation.  The points along this process include 1) image capture (camera-film vs. card), 2) negative development or file download (darkroom vs. digital editing), 3) printing (wet printing vs. inkjet), and 4) presentation (paper display vs. LCD).  Increasingly since the digital revolution that began in the 1990s the most common variant used throughout photography is the use of digital processes for points 1 to 3 while using a traditional approach when displaying work for viewing.  The newest and least common variant is the application of a digital approach to the wet printing in a traditional darkroom.  A LCD enlarger is used to display a computer generated negative onto traditional papers to produce an image.  My approach entails the use of tradition processes at the beginning and then a switch to using digital tools during.  The final phase for displaying my artwork employs the traditional use of prints on paper under frame and glass.  All of my images are captured using film based SLR, TLR, and rangefinder cameras.  I develop the film negatives traditionally using precise combination of water, chemicals, agitation, temperature, and time.  Once developed, the negatives undergo the digital process of scanning and editing using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.  Although the process takes place digitally, my approach to editing the photographic image is always with a traditional mindset.  My goal is to use only effects that may be also applied in the traditional darkroom. The final phase of my workflow involves my use of an inkjet printer to transfer the image on professional quality archival paper.

Negative digitization using a drum scanner.