I was reading a photography forum the other day and ran across a post by a photographer asking how you could create an image that “was focused in the front and blurry in the back.” Eloquent, no? What the photographer was asking about (insofar as technique is concerned) is bokeh, shallow focus, a small depth of field. Interestingly, and to my dismay, the overwhelming number of responses that came back (from other photographers) was…Photoshop.
I’m not going to argue the merits of Photoshop. It has a place. Keep in mind, though, that the person asking for advice was asking about how to create an image not adjust an existing one. It’s a sad state of affairs when the line between photography and illustration begin to blur…when “photographers” reach for their computer to “fix” an image rather than rely on technique to correct their process.
I work in both digital and film formats. Lately, though, I have preferred working with film over digital. I love digital but there is something so fantastic when you develop your film and see the images on the negative for the first time. Plus, I’ve found that when working in film I slow down – not that I was overly quick working digitally, just ask any model that has worked with me 
My workflow, in film, combines what I feel are the best elements that (for lack of a better word) analog [film] and digital have to offer. I shoot with a Mamiya RZ-67 Pro II using Ilford FP4 Plus film. I develop my own film. I have lots of measuring cups, reels, bottles, and know exactly what 68 degree water feels like in complete darkness. Once I develop the film, though, I scan to tiff. Once scanned, I continue with post exactly as if it [the image] were created digitally. And, yes, I spot with Photoshop.
Once complete, I move to print. There are many options available for generating prints from electronic images. Most, in my opinion, suck. Frankly, I’ve never been satisfied with the notion of having prints produced from the same genre of device I’d use to print an email. I want to respect the process as much as I can while producing a high quality image for my customers. So, after much research, many test prints, and much traveling, I found Digital Silver Imaging (DSI) in New England. DSI, like me, combines time honored photographic processes with the latest technology.
Next week I’ll explain how DSI does amazing things with print and why they are such a great fit for my workflow.
