After more than a century in black and white––with spots of color occasionally tossed in––the Times-Journal begins color photos this week.
Now on the front page and page 28, the full color may eventually spread to other pages, Publisher Jim Poole said.
“We’re taking baby steps here, learning as we go,” he said. “We may slip once in a while, but we’ll learn from our mistakes and try to improve every week.”
The Daily Star in Oneonta prints the T-J, and Mr. Poole praised The Star’s Publisher Tanya Shalor, Chief Photographer Julie Lewis and Composing Supervisor Olin Benedict for helping with the transition.
“They’re teaching and advising,” Mr. Poole said. “We couldn’t do it without their help.”
The T-J news staff has a combined 75 years’ experience in photography, but all that experience is in black and white. Color requires more sensitivity and refined production techniques, Mr. Poole said.
“Dealing with shades of gray is one thing,” he said. “Balancing blues, greens, reds and whites is entirely different.
“It’s a new challenge, and I know we’re up to it. Most other papers have gone to full color, and our readers deserve it, too.”