Book Review - Nash Editions: Photography And The Art Of Digital Printing by Garrett White (editor) with Graham Nash, Richard Benson, R. Mac Holbert and Henry Wilhelm

We all know the contributions that Graham Nash has made to the music world, from days as a song writer with the Hollies into his time with Crosby, Stills and Nash and then eventually with Neil Young he has influenced countless musicians. But what is remarkable is the incredible contribution he has given to the digital photography world. Since 1991, Nash Editions has been a pioneer in the world of fine-art printing.

Nash Editions: Photography And The Art Of Digital Printing is a breathtaking visual experience of not only the summation of Nash Editions' achievements in the development of digital fine art printing, but it is also a treatise on the subject.

R. Mac Holbert first met Graham Nash in San Francisco in 1971 when he was an assistant truck driver for Crosby Stills and Nash. Both were avid photographers and the two hit it off instantly and soon became friends. By 1979, Holbert was the group's manager, and when he was introduced to personal computers, it changed his life. Over the course of the next six years he became well versed in their use. When he purchased a Thunderscan Scanner in 1985, it got Nash's attention and eventually lead to the two's introduction into digital imaging.

This is the story of Nash Editions. It is the story of the trials and tribulations that took Nash and Holbert down the road to July 1, 1991 when Holbert officially retired from the life of road manger to the management of Nash Editions. It is also the story of creating photographs from the technology of the time throughout the history of photography.

The book is laid out loosely into four sections, albeit with an artistic free-form flair. The first is an introduction by Graham Nash, who explains his background in photography. While I might like a bit more information from Nash's perspective, the book is really about the Nash Editions and how it came influenced the printing industry.

The next section, "The History of Nash Editions", is written by Holbert and it is exceptionally well done. He really explains how he and Nash came about to form the company and the history of the technology that they used to create the early prints, the problems they had with the existing technology; even to the point of voiding the warranty of a $126,000 Iris printer by sawing off the heads and repositioning them so that they would take thicker substrates. By the way, this printer was donated to the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of American History in August 2005.

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Article Author: T. Michael Testi

T. Michael Testi is a writer and a photographer out of Edmond Oklahoma. You can see his photographic and art work at T Michael Imaging as well as on Facebook.

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  • 1 - portrait artist

    May 28, 2007 at 6:18 am

    This is another noteworthy event. We’re all aware about the influence of Nash in the field of photography. It’s therefore fitting and proper to collect all of his artwork in one place for everybody to see. Those who can grab a copy are expected to be more inspired. The images and all of the photos will surely fill everybody’s longing towards perfect portraiture and photography.

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