Here today...gone tomorrow...

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by gnuyork

Yes definitely ink jet printing is pretty great now (and has been for a while) especially with the Baryta fine art papers . I started experimenting with the MIS ink tone system and custom curves in the early days when inkjet just couldn't do Black and white, but now it's pretty amazing. I've since had a few Epsons 2880, R2400 and now the P800 (which is fantastic). I also have a 44" Canon Prograf, that's now a motorcycle sized paperweight. I didn't use it enough and something went wrong with it mechanically, and overheat error of some sort, and a tech said the repair estimate was going to cost nearly what I paid for the printer (I got it on some sort of rebate deal)... so it now sits.

Yeah, a huge problem with both digital and analog is that you have to use it or lose it, so to speak. The printers need to be used at least weekly and the darkroom stuff, although the chemicals can last a while still you need to use them pretty often.

Now I have only the files backed up but no printers for about 7 years. Keep threatening to get another one but probably wouldn't use it enough. And the new models come out and you get stuck with paperweights, like you say.

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by Talon84

They really are!

Completely customisable and really good quality. Give my parents one as a Xmas present every year. Nice keep sake for them

That might be one of the best family archives that people can do these days. And better and more "available" for people to ponder through the decades than dealing with computer files and drives.

[Blansky]

We are all fascinated by looking at pictures of towns/neighborhoods/people from say 50 or 100 years ago, but probably not one of us wanders around taking pictures of the houses and streets and buildings in our area. Not arty stuff but just a record of the place.

It's because we see it every day and big deal. But we forget that it all changes through the decades and entire areas can change in 50 years.

I can still see the old house I grew up in and visualize the neighborhood I lived in. But it's all in my mind. Most of the houses are all gone, mine included, our lot was subdivided, the neighborhood houses are mostly gone, and some with a McMansion sitting on a lot where 2 lots existed back then.