On Your Soap (Film) Box

From Kevin Craske (Area 9)

So! there has been one or two comments in the CRC News lately which are getting a bit `close to home' so here it is - another view.

Firstly, there is the comment that we should not be discussing electronics as we are home processors. Also, that what I call conventional silver halide technology is not on the way out to be ousted by electronics. Both points are perfectly valid but let us not be quite so narrow minded.

I can quite understand the editor encouraging articles being submitted by computer disc, this is one way to avoid the criticism of typing errors and also permit more efficient production of the magazine. I think we should just look at the electronic side of things.

Many of the cameras nowadays contain complex electronics to ensure the correct exposure. A vast quantity of electronics are in the processing equipment if it is processed commercially and if we then project the results using a remote control or at least an auto-focus projector we see electronics again. We just cannot get away from electronics. Members with outdated views should accept progress and regard electronics as yet another way of doing things. If we look at 'conventional silver halide' film then I think it is valid to say it is with us for a long time yet, however it is wrong to dismiss progress. Kodak has produced the photo-CD and despite various people trying to persuade us that it has not caught on IT
HAS; but not where you may think.

There are now photo libraries who deal with photograph collections placed on photo CD. Although some photographic magazines have dropped 'electronic imaging' the journal of the British Institute of Professional Photography has ADDED two pages. As for the quality is not there yet, well sorry but it is, but not to you and me. It is far too expensive and bulky, but so was the 'portable' video camera 10 years ago. The CRC has progressed from the CR50 Club to the CRC. The definition of the word photograph is 'painting with light' and no mention is made of the recording media - will the CRC progress to being the Colour Recording Club?

Now lets look at the April issue. So someone does not like 'Round-a-Bout. OK we are all entitled to our own opinion. I cannot however reconcile the comment that he does not write an article because he dislikes something, come on now, write something better so we will all benefit. We would get rid of a so called inferior Round-a-Bout and have a better article in its place. Until this happens however I will continue to read Round-a-Bout.

Now for something original. I am fed up with hearing that a certain photograph was "¬ of a stop over exposed". Firstly we have the accuracy(?) of the exposure meter, the accuracy(?) of the camera, the accuracy(?) of the speed of the film itself, the accuracy(?) of the processing. All these are subject to certain tolerances which will affect the end result. So many variables and then someone has the authority to be able to say it was over exposed. Surly this is a case that it is in the eye of the beholder.

P.S. This article comes to you, using some of the most up to date software and computing 'electronics'.