Ta da … let the drums roll!

Is it true? Have we finally made it to the last step of my photographic process?

Well, the answer is YES! It’s been a long road for sure and this last step is pretty anti-climatic, but critically important!

Whenever I create the final print I usually make at least three or four of them. I do this for several reasons. I always want to have extras for sale or show, etc. and just in case there is a defect in the paper emulsion, I make a toning mistake, or one gets damaged somehow I’m covered.  Some may be mounted and toned, all ready to go, while others may be toned but un-mounted or un-toned and un-mounted. I keep each type in their own separate archival box and label the un-mounted print boxes for easy identification.

Right up there in the “nothing worse than” category is storing the work you have put so much time, effort and thought into in empty print boxes or other non-archival containers. Nothing!  I mean what’s the point of the whole exercise if you don’t want to maintain the integrity of your important photographs in the best way you can? In short, acid-free archival boxes provide best possible means to prevent dirt, dust and light, from attacking your photographs. Period! If your not storing your prints properly, don’t be a bozo and get some proper boxes!

In closing, I hope you have found this discussion of my photographic process helpful in some way. The point is not that you necessarily do what I do, but that you have a process that is manageable and repeatable, which enables the creative and quality results you want.  Having such a process will inspire you to photograph and to produce work that fully realizes your vision!

Stay well,

Michael