   |
Although only spasmodic in my presence I really believe that the BTZS forum site is ideal as it stands — AS AN ADJUNCT TO THE BTZS BOOK.
The system of exposure and processing control as devised and described by Phil Davis in the book is far too complex to study on a computer screen. Besides, BOOK SALES must be a part of the equation to provide the initial funding of a resource such as this.
My suggestion to Yves would be to get the book, study it and then put into practice what the book outlines. If you are happy with the direction this takes you then you can proceed and refer back to this site for help with the little stumbling blocks you encounter. If yoyu feel it does not do for you what you expect then simply forget it and do something else.
To me, one of the great strengths of this site is the presence of Phil as a guide and mentor. There are boundless forums where we can chat about stuff amongst ourselves but that invariable leads to the blind leading the visually impaired. There might be some small benefit in sharing common experience with others but the real benefit is in the ability to consult the oracle and get an answer.
All around there are manifestations that Large Format (or even Film based) photography is increasingly an area of specialisation. Look no further than the shelves in your local stockist or discover how many local labs are folding after years of successful trading.
The BTZS site is one of the most valuable on the internet in my view precisely because it is focussed - esoteric, if you will - and does not endeavour to be all things to all people. While it does not make for much rest for Phil it is nevertheless true that without his generous and informed presence the site would possibly fold.
In the original post to which you referred Yves I had made the claim that the system works so well that there is hardly need for much trouble-shooting or follow-up advice.
To see what would happen without Phil's central role just take a look at a recent request I made concerning 320TXP and Ilford DDX. While I am not complaining about the reply that it elicited it is, all the same, the kind of reply I would expect on Photo.Net or any of a number of other sites.
BTZS is special and it ain't broke so there is little need to fix it in my opinion. (But then the beauty of any forum is that in the final analysis it is just my opinion.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
