The Fine Art is basically in black & white Photography. Colour Photography is another dimension, and has other artistic merits.

Black & white Photography is not readily perceived as Fine Art, because the general public believes it is less of an artistic expression than a painting. Full recognition and appreciation is mainly found in the larger capitals of the world.

The advent of high quality digital photography and printmaking has pushed conventional photography to the sidelines. Nevertheless there is room for it and it may become more valuable, because there will be fewer photographers to create genuine original archival fiber based prints from negatives made in the darkroom.

To fully appreciate this artistic forum, it is beneficial to understand the processes that go into the making of a fine art black and white photograph. To create the highest quality print, one must first visualize the finished image and expose and develop the negative accordingly. Every step in the process must be flawlessly executed to obtain the maximum result. It requires a great deal of time to create photographic art from concept to a finished archival print. Archival processing calls for the use of fiber-based paper and closely controlled developing, fixing, washing and toning procedures; mounting and matting with acid-free museum board are required for presentation.

In my view, a fine art photograph must have technical quality, be aesthetically pleasing and appealing, and also convey feeling and meaning the viewer can identify with and relate to.

As a human being, I am very sensitive to my environment - be it in the form of other human beings or of nature. My reaction and response is almost always positive. I am receptive to the moods and feelings that emanate from either. In my work, I approach my subject matter, which I hope has universal appeal, with great emphasis on composition, recognition of the effects of lighting, and a good gradation of gray tones with rich blacks and clean whites where appropriate. This approach differs somewhat from trends in experimental photography and 'crazy' styles, in which I also indulge from time to time, but do not consider to be of serious and lasting value.

Black and white photography is an abstract art; it depicts the spectrum of original hues in terms of black and white. Starting with the photographs of Paul Negre, David Octavius Hill, Margaret Cameron, Alfred Stieglitz, Eugen Adget and progressing to those of Edward Weston, Ansel Adams, Minor White and many others, traditional black and white work, as has been proven for more than a century, keeps the public's interest alive and keen.

To enhance the material value of fine art collectors' photographs, black and white photographs are often of limited editions, numbered and signed. Another form of collecting is the portfolio, consisting of ten to twenty fine art photography prints, mostly in mounted 8 x 10 and 11 x 14 inch sizes.

Limited edition prints can be of any quantity. Mine are between five and 50 per negative. Even if 1,000 were issued (as with some of Ansel Adams' images), and distributed among the 300 Million people in North America, each of them would be a rarity.

We are still at the beginning of the great impact Photographic Art will have on the world and us. This impact will now be much greater and faster with the rapid expansion of digital photography. Those who become aware of this will be able to participate in the excitement, the enjoyment and the benefits at an early stage.

Hugo Redivo, MPA, F/PPABC, Cr. Photog., HLM