”7 minutes at 68°F in Ansco 47 for Isopan” represents “normal” to me. I have no idea what the actual effective gamma is, nor do I care. I could consider this degree of development as yielding Gamma = 1.0 or being Development No. 9 or Operation H, or any other symbol I choose. But why should I inject an unnecessary and confusing symbol for a perfectly simple statement of procedure? “Isopan/Ansco 47/68°F/7minutes” is definite and easily expressed and understood as the means of obtaining my ”normal” negative.”

Admittedly, I do pride my technical prowess. Often I will get caught up in different technical nuances, but it’s these gentle words from the masters that remind me to keep things simple, and worry more about the art of your creations.

I pulled this quote off of wikipedia, in their Gamma Correction article… As I was getting wrapped up in understanding how film reacts to light in a logarithmic fashion… But we can save that for another day.

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