Digital Masters B&w Printing: Creating the Digital Master Print

by George DeWolfe

George DeWolfe is a master of the fine he studied with photographic geniuses Ansel Adams and Minor White, and worked as a consultant to the most significant companies in the digital photography world. Now, he passes on his considerable expertise to all, in a breathtaking new DIGITAL MASTERS guide that combines artistic concepts for taking beautiful photographs with an array of practical techniques. With interest in black-and-white exploding, digital photographers will rush to take advantage of the knowledge he imparts.

Genres: Photography

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2009

Reviews

[Bruce]

I found this book as the result of studying the work of Joel Tjintjelaar. Joel produces wonderful black and white images and provides many tutorials and classes on his process. He states that when he found George Dewolfe's discussion about creating "presence" in an image his ability to create his master works was made possible. I searched for George Dewolfe and found the book.

I am not sure I am ready for the book. It is a wide mix of complex concepts such as luminosity versus luminance. He talks extensively about perception and building presence. He talks about mindfulness and deliberate viewing. He goes into meditation briefly. He discloses techniques in Photoshop and Lightroom to create a master black and white file for printing as well as the equipment needed to make and evaluate the print. I say I am likely not ready for the book due to my lack of experience with many of the concepts and techniques. I think the book suffers from a lack of ability to show subtle changes in the printed images as he lays out the steps he takes. I do know that creation of local contrast, brightness and sharpness in an image can yield stunning results. I intend to pursue many of the techniques he describes and, hopefully, with review and practice will come to fully understand and appreciate his writing and techniques.

I think this book holds great potential to help me advance but i will need to be attentive and deliberate as I work toward understanding and application. It is not a book for the casual printer or photographer.