The elimination of distance
Within Photography the idea of distance is an alien one. The depth of field scale is only scale of distance translated on to sliver salts. In other words a lie, a white lie as all photography is (as I was told on my first day of Term). So capturing an expanse of space within a camera/frame of film, then enlarging the image to something no bigger than 10x8, a fraction of the true original size. So eliminating distance. All a lie, theses Enlarger lens featured, is just a tool to enhance or defuse distance within photography. Making it easier to control, and then manageable to fit onto a piece of paper. For archival or Art reasons. Producing a document that can be stored in a plan chest. Compacting distance.
The funny thing is that they are now just a relic of the post-modern age, as digital does it all. From a digital camera, straight to a printer within seconds. Taking no notice of size or scale. Just speed. Making these enlarger lens redundant. Creating an even bigger lie. Maybe the curse of a modern age…
…sorry, this seems to be a mad rant. But just to clarify:
F + S = Dis/ Exp