Doug Kerr
Well-known member
Theodoros Fotometria tells us that the term photography only applies to the capturing of images that are delivered as paper prints. (Perhaps he would include prints on some not-exactly-paper substrate, such as a plastic base - maybe not.)
So if we accept that, we need a term for the broader art of capturing images by light that would embrace the possibility that the viewing of the image would be on a computer screen, on a digital "billboard", projection on the rear of a translucent "billboard" screen, and the like.
Now if we have in mind what some would call "motion picture photography", we can solve the problem by only speaking of cinematography. Then, for our more serious problem, "still" imaging, we could adopt some parallel term, perhaps also from Greek roots.
Perhaps it could be based on the concept of "drawing with light". That would nicely exclude, for example, the making of prints with an ink-jet printer, which would be embraced by the now-restricted term "photography".
No, wait - photography does mean "drawing with light".
Well, I realized this would be tough, which is why I ask for the help of this august body (albeit convened in November).
Asher, in the meantime, you might wish to rename this the Open Imaging Forum, although perhaps the name "photography" could be grandfathered.
Next week: Camera obscura - why do we use a short form of that for our photographic image capture apparatus, but not for a darkroom?
Best regards,
Doug
So if we accept that, we need a term for the broader art of capturing images by light that would embrace the possibility that the viewing of the image would be on a computer screen, on a digital "billboard", projection on the rear of a translucent "billboard" screen, and the like.
Now if we have in mind what some would call "motion picture photography", we can solve the problem by only speaking of cinematography. Then, for our more serious problem, "still" imaging, we could adopt some parallel term, perhaps also from Greek roots.
Perhaps it could be based on the concept of "drawing with light". That would nicely exclude, for example, the making of prints with an ink-jet printer, which would be embraced by the now-restricted term "photography".
No, wait - photography does mean "drawing with light".
Well, I realized this would be tough, which is why I ask for the help of this august body (albeit convened in November).
Asher, in the meantime, you might wish to rename this the Open Imaging Forum, although perhaps the name "photography" could be grandfathered.
Next week: Camera obscura - why do we use a short form of that for our photographic image capture apparatus, but not for a darkroom?
Best regards,
Doug