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In spite of the invasion of digital techniques, and more recently that of APS, not only can it be asserted that traditional techniques will remain with us for some time, but that traditional monochrome techniques are enjoying a new renaissance throughout Europe and the developed countries overseas (e.g. the United States and Japan). Significant growth in these cases is not driven by rising mass-consumer demand, but rather increased activity on the part of quality orientated creative and artistic consumers. Of course, the number of amateurs by far outnumbers that of the professionals: this, however, does not rule out the fact that the amateur may place Äprofessionalà demands on the product.
Recognising market tendencies, many world companies (including Forte), have begun to pay more attention to the production of black and white photo products which suit the needs of the Äcreative photographer.à This is further justified by the fact that the taking of Äsouvenirà photographs takes place almost entirely in colour. Materials for mass-production in black and white technology have either disappeared (as in the case of Variofort paper) or their significance is confined to the markets of the developing countries.
This article introduces, without being exhaustive, a range of photographic materials recommended for use by professionals and Äprofessionalà amateurs, and in so doing refers to the most up-to-date results of market-ready research.
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For anyone who wants to see the whole article it is at:
http://fotomuveszet.elender.hu/9756/975612_eng.html
-- graywolf http://graywolfphoto.com/graywolf.html
