Q & A with Gerry Johansson

BA:  Another quote from a past interview: “Digital today looks fine, but everything is possible and the result usually comes out boring.” Can you elaborate more on that thought? Do you think a limitation of possibilities can be positive in some way?

GJ:  I just think that a properly made black/white silver gelatin print is something astoundingly beautiful. Film and silver prints are materials you have to work along with. They are materials with characteristics you have to understand and follow. In a similar way that a sculptor chooses wood, bronze or marble. So yes, I want some resistance when I work. There are of course fine digital prints also. But the result of the digital technique often puts a ”haze” of boring perfection over the prints. With digital material everything is possible so if that is your most important goal it is perfect.