Hi, Ed, good to hear from you. Good news, too, that you haven't given up B&W on MF film! Have fun with your D50! Anything that can extend the range of enjoyment of this fascinating hobby has to be good. I found that when I added an SLR to my beloved rangefinders...
To Roger, Dirk, and David: Well, this image only exists on my screen; I haven't had any actual B&W prints made from my D50 yet. Also, my regular B&W work is done on medium format, standard lens, and never in direct sunlight. This is 35mm equivilent, 300mm lens and noon sun. Not my typical style. But it sure was fun firing away for a few hours and not having to worry about the cost of all that film. My D50 is just another tool, and I'm not ready to retire the Rollei just yet!
Thanks for the comment, David. For me, the "right" direction would be towards higher quality images, which is, I am sure, EXACTLY what Ed is reaching for. We probably all agree that this one wasn't up to the same standard we are used to seeing from Ed, and I really just wanted to encourage Ed to reach a little higher. Maybe that's presumptuous of me, in view of my own limited skills. It's certainly not an attempt to dictate my preferences to Ed. Sorry if that's how it came over, David.
Hi Roger, the recent digital photos are certainly different from what we are used to see from Ed, but honestly I find it a little intrusive trying to "spure an artist in the right direction". What is "the right direction"? What you like? What I like?
Are YOU happy with B&W from digital originals? The skin and hair textures are nicely rendered, but this image has sharpening artifacts almost everywhere I look and the out-of-focus waves don't look like water. I don't like to be negative, but you know how I love your work, and I thought an honest crit might be a spur in the right direction...
0 
{K:86139} 8/27/2005
