[LargeFormat] color transparencies (and philanthropy) formerly HTTP and etc.

[Les Newcomer]

Bob Younger wrote:
> 
> .......and if you ever looked at a superb 8x10 (or larger) transparency,
> appropriately masked to block out side-light, on a good light box, you'd
> think VERY differently about color transparencies..... They have a depth,
> range and dimensionality to them that is quite difficult to achieve any
> other way. And with modern equipment and materials, can be printed quite
> accurately and comprehensively. Modern transparency film has exceptional
> range, very realistic color, and is very adaptable in processing (except of
> course with overexposure.....).
> 

Bob, 

I agree with you 100% transparencies are wonderful. I was trained in
photography when the only thing the printer wanted to see was a properly
exposed tranny, and you weren't a real photographer unless you could
properly expose trans film. But my clients now want a CD
and my wife won't allow me to mask off the parlor windows and hang a
lightbox in the living room. And all of my transparencies are in a
drawer in the basement unknown, unlooked at, unloved. My B&W prints are
on the wall.

I can shoot nearly twice as much color neg in a day than transparencies.
That translates into more shots at less cost to my clients.


And when the bids come through and I have more shots on my list for the
same price. I get to eat.

If I want to display a transparency then I will use Duratrans, because
it's more permanent. But that needs a neg to print from...


Back in school the teacher told us one of the bigger shooter's in NYC
did a self promo piece where instead of a calendar or poster he sent a
duped 8x10 trans.  Most of the ad buyers, and art directors just
couldn't throw away an 8x10 trans, so most of them ended up taped to the
window.. exactly as he planned.  I suspect this would work even better
today since, except in rare instances, most of the 20 something ADs have
never seen an 8x10 trans before.