Types of prints?

BLACK & WHITE PRINTS

SILVER GELATINE PRINTS

Traditionally, to produce black and white ‘darkroom’ prints on quality paper utilizing various emulsions made of genuine silver, was the best way to deliver an archival image. The silver emulsions also produce an extremely rich, some would say, unmatched, tonal range, as well as having a very long life. Genuine silver prints have long been the preferred choice of black and white photographic image collectors. Many collectors still exclusively insist on silver prints. Silver is the standard of the image collecting public.

All Silver Gelatine prints are numbered and signed.

PIGMENT PRINTS

These are prints are produced utilizing modern digital files and digital printing equipment, with various types of ink. They are also widely known as ‘inkjet’ prints. It is important to keep in mind: digital printing technology has advanced tremendously over the last three decades, and quality digital prints, ‘pigment’ prints, are often visually indistinguishable from traditional silver prints. They are also archival, and now have expected life spans as long, or even longer, than prints produced on silver emulsions. Pigment prints should last many generations, but since photography was only invented in the mid-19th century, the actual lifespan of any type of photographic print remains largely unknown.

DISCUSSION

As you may imagine, there is ongoing controversy among collectors and photographers as to which types of prints are best, and most valuable, silver or pigment? Which type is best to collect, which type has the best appearance, and the longest life? Like so many other issues in life, these questions boil down to a matter of personal choice. In most cases, it’s a toss-up. I love both silver and pigment prints, and I offer both types for purchase.

SIGNED & NUMBERED

Each print available in our online store is part of an exclusive, limited edition run of only 25 prints, ensuring a unique collectible experience. Meticulously signed and numbered by myself, Richard “Rick Mack” McCloskey, these prints represent the pinnacle of fine art photography. They are an ideal acquisition for discerning fine art print collectors, offering a blend of historical richness and artistic excellence.