WHAT IF COMPUTERS START TATTOOING?????

What if you can get a tattoo just like a copy machine works?WILL IT BE THE END OF WHAT WE DO?WILL CHEAP ASS PEOPLE FLOCK TO IT JUST TO SAVE MONEY?OR WILL PEOPLE STAY TRUE TO WHAT IS THE ONLY ART FORM THAT HAS NO BEEN RAPED?HOW BAD WILL THAT BE IF YOU CAN MAKE SOMETHING ON PHOTOSHOP AND HIT PRINT?

Yeah and when pigs fly, I'll be the first to sign up for a ride (sure would have to be a big pig). And the only art form not being raped? How many tattoo shops are in your neck of the woods? Hell, what are there like 2 or 3 tattoo TV shows. We don't even need to look out side the business to see who's laying the pipe! Shit, This broads on her back, and I don't think she's begging for more. JOE

As you know, the application process of tattooing is *extremely* complex even for humans to do, nevermind a computer! The skin stretching, the needle arrangements, the hand movements, the eye... I dare say that "skin printing" wont be truly practical for a looooooooong time. If, indeed, there was a robot that was capable of tattooing with the perfect technique then the indeed, the talents of the tattoo artist would focus more on creating the perfect artwork that fits the body part. I guess the same question would go for house painters and what not, but basically if a computer takes over for the process, then humans have to focus on the before and after process. Luckily, I think that the unique nature of tattooing protects artists from this possibility. And as far as the art getting cheapened, I think Joe is right. We dont need to wait for computers, there are enough mediocre and bad tattoo artists out there to do that right now. I was recently talking to an artist type artist about the state of tattooing and he was quite a bit surprised by how many people will spend hundreds of dollars for a tattoo whos art would be worthless on paper...

your antivirus would consist of mcaffee hep b shots and norton flu vaccines!

LOL

I saw an actual robotic device that was programed to tattoo. It did a very horible job.

A little time ago people actually engaved granite by hand because of the granite being so easy to damage.That was done since the begining of time.Now granite is engraved with photo abilities in minutes.I understand that skin is a total different thing but it can be done sooner or later.All of these adds we see every day were drawn by hand at one time do you no how many artist lost there job when photoshop type programs were made.Alot of people that dedicated there life to there craft were made worthless basically over knight.They now do surguries with laser were a computer basically lasers of tissue.I hope it never happens. And yes there are shops all over the world and in that way we have been raped.But there is still a chance.With a computer banging out photo realalistic portraits in five minutes for 10$ there is no chance.Exept for the rich that will afford such a machine.Thank you for your input guys.I guess only time will tell.

Webster's makes a fine dictionary for those of you who just can't seem to spell!!!!!

Take it easy man, if you're looking to critique spelling, try spellingbeenow.com

I don't know about machines tattooing, but has anyone heard anything about how they are tryin to say in the lest 10-15 years we will have tattoos that move? sorta like if you got an eagle, it would always be flapping it's wings. I heard that last year in school when some person came in to talk to our class about what we will do with our lives and where the world will be and all that. i dun get it...will we be putting microchips in? cuz then it isn't a tattoo, but either way, has anyone heard anything about that?

Im sorry about my spelling taz.I was thinking that if tattoos started putting permanent arwork on people it to me would be a little more important than my spelling.But your such an intelligent man why dont you tell me what you would do if computers started takeing work away from us.Maybe you can be a spelling teacher it seems to be more important than this topic to you any way.P.S Maybe you should focus on your artwork a little more and leave the spelling to the work were it makes a difference.

hey guys your missing one inportent thing... even if computers begin printing on our skin all that will do is stop the cheap artists from working, any artist with pure talent will be able to overcome this problem. people will always pay more for a hand done tattoo. it would be a good thing in the long run, because everyone that wants to be an artist but with no talent or skill will be run out of business and the real tattoo artists will once again be the only people in business.

Brian, if you make your living via an application process that can be replaced, then you will have to adapt. Luckily, the art part of the job is just as important as teh application, so it will be easy for artists to make the transition. You know, give me a skin printer and youll get crap, get joey cap a skin printer and you'll be very happy. So, if your livelihood depends on something that that technology can replace and you can think into the future, you can plan to *use* technology in your favor or at least get out of its way, theres no use fighting or complaining about it. Now, what are we gonna do about all those American jobs that didnt get replaced by computers but by workers across the world who dont have fair labor laws because international corporations make more profits.... anyone know where I can buy American made clothing?

yeah Gabe, you can buy american made clothing at www.americanapparell.com (spelling may be off) and at www.nosweatapparell.com (how do you spell apparell?) both of these places sell union made clothing, imagine that a clothing worker making a living wage.

Also, when a large part of the population loses their means to success, the community should insure that there are ample alternative opportunities. It sure sucks losing your job, and it REALLY sucks losing your job when there are fewer and fewer good opportunities out there. In any event, you cann't really place blame on anyone else(no one said life was fair), if you are talented enough to make it in the tattoo business I bet you got what it takes to find another profession when the robots take over (like creating other types of art). If the paying-field at large is too tough and unfair, get a bunch of friends and like minded folks together and change the rules. Thanks for those links. Ill check em out!

You guys have good points.I am one of the only ones in my area which is in the mountains. That stays busy all year.Knock on wood>>>>And i work hard at what i do.Gabe has a shop of great artist and an outlet to get people that care about there art to the shop.I have been tattooing for 13 years and only in the last 2 years i have been keeping a solid apt. book.Basically all the shops i worked at and many people that own shops will tell you.80 percent of the people that come in the door do not really care as much as we would like to beleive.They do not no enough to care, they do not even no what they are looking at half the time.They dont no what smooth graywash is they think the tattoo faded.They are the people that will sit down in front of a computer steel there favorite tattoo on the internet and pay almost nothing and love every bit of it(.When a computer can tattoo) yes being an artist will help.But if you can steel what an artist did and print it on your skin it dont really matter.Gabe if you had a copy of a carravaggio painting on the computer and printed it on my arm it would look the same as if i printed it on your arm.Most people just want a tattoo and dont even no why and i say that with 7 days a weak for 13 years experience.Most people dont care and i guess it would come down to the ones that do and if there is enough of them to keep us going.

Brian, you brought up two points. 1. The public is uneducated about art and tattoos and dont know good from bad. Your right! Its our job to educate them, no one else is. Thanks culture. 2. Skin printing will trivialize the application process. For me, things wont change much. I wont be getting a Carravaggio painting tattooed on me, Ill be getting a Lou Jacque, a Joe Capobianco, a Nick Baxter, etc, etc. If your a tattoo artist and rely solely on the application process for your living, then be wary, the skin printer will replace your job. Luckily you have time to prepare. When tattoo artists critique other tattoo artists there are 2 major things they look at (it seems to me). Application ability and artistic ability. what we're doing is taking out the application skill, but people will always commission creative artists to realize their vision. The industry landscape will get blurred is all. Those without artistic ability will go out of business, and those with it will adapt. Lastly, my point all along is that you cant stop technology, and the fact that it will change the economy and the world at large isnt bad. No one said you wouldnt have to think fast and stay sharp to make your own living. As long as we are living in a country that has ample opportunity for hard-working talented people, we're all set.

also, the business model that works for intellectual property in an age of instant free replication is not getting paid for what you have already done (although there are plenty of ways to do it and its and obviously important) but getting paid for what you will do *next*. This is deep enough to do a college thesis on, but the gist is, use your "back catalog" of art to build a large fan base (and get what you can for income). Then leverage that fan base to generate $$$ for the next project, which in turn will eventually become "public domain" due to technology, get you more fans, and make funding the next project easier. You know, your best piece of art is the next one, not the last one. and art has value. If your creative and business minded you will always be able to transfer that value into income. Some think that technology will make that easier in fact... cause if you cut out all the middlemen and make replication free, then it should mean a better profit margin for the artist and direct communication with the fans.... Things are going to change for sure, get ready to adapt.

I am suprised that there were not to many other artist that have an oppinion on something that can possibly change there lives.I thank you for your fealings about this.I do agree that people would like certain artists work. Thats how i make my living.Because its certainly not from flash and other peoples art.But i still wonder how many are there.I hope alot.Maybe it will be better maybe it will get rid of all those anoying ones that have no love or respect for art and the ones that stand out will even be in a better light.Only time will tell..Take Care and good luck

Hi to everyone! I am new to this forum, and as I saw this topic, it reminded me to something i saw today: http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_story.asp?ID=4685 you see it is already reality, even if it is some kind of an "art installation thing" - it is from 2002

hey, they cent spell at www.palminfocenter.com either!!!

It would certainly have to be a complex A.I. for computers to do the work. Tattooing requires a huge amount of intuition, study, successes, and failures, to work. Imagine the daunting cost of creating a machine that will: know how to tattoo on on various skin texture, know if it should move that line over a quarter inch to adjust to that mole or strecth mark. I could certainly see an improvement and computerization of the tools. Companies like Eikon and Neuma are making strides in that arena. But, I don't think a replacement of the artists can or will happen. Thats like saying robots can complete a surgery minus the surgeon. A bit more Sci-Fi (a la Starship Troopers) than reality. Compare our tools with music for instance. The guitar has remained relatively the same for many hundreds of years. New gadgets, sounds, electricity, computers, have all been added. Yet the basic design remains, and it still requires the creativity of the artist to create pleasing music. But hey, I'll shake the hand of the geek that comes up with that machine! One can dream! Until then, I'll see ya at the next Star Trek convention. ...Dammit Jim, I'm a tattooer not a magician... -Kandyman Joe www.pureimaginationtattoos.com

Before there were television it seemed to be something that was not even possible.Cellphones and many other things like the computer i am writing this message on.Would be totaly not possible in the 1920"s .I hate star trek to begin with. And i am saying that what if computers tattoo?Because they are doing everything thing else There are going to start driving subways in N.Y city with in a few years and that is a fact not a star trek idea.I can sit hear all day and list what they have done with computers to take the place of humans.How about sign painters,? Architects do not really even draw anymore they work with a program.Which means that someone that has just finished school can do what a person that has been doing it for there life.My brother is one and can tell you that.I no it is skin and there is a certain touch that is needed and we like to think were the only ones that are capible of doing it. I do agree that the creative part can not be replaced but for the cheap ass people that just want a tattoo they want it exact and dont care if 5000 people have the same artwork on them will love it .And you guys are tattoo artists i am sure you no there are alot of people like that out there thats why almost every tattoo shop has flash hanging on the walls.Thank you for your thoughts.I hope this never happens but was just saying what if it does happen. Not because of star trek( LOL). Take Care

Your right computers have taken over quite a bit of the world, and truly put a knife in the backs of some of the oldest trades. But what you've described thus far has been making things easier between people and there day to day routines. Not computers and the human element. There's a lack of communication when dealing with a computer, any one who's had to make a call to the phone, or gas company, to make a complaint, or perhaps those pesky ATM's. Nothing is more frustrating than listening to beeps and prompts, to get to the next stage of your so called "interaction" to get something accomplished. I myself have hung up out of sheer frustration of dealing with the so called easier computer switch board. How the Hell is sitting on the phone punching endless buttons, to get to the wrong freakin extent ion somehow easier than just talkin to a person who can put me directly thru to the individual I need to speak to! HEARS A FRERAKIN IDEA! TRAIN SOME PEOPLE TO DO WHAT YOUR COMPUTERS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING PROPPERLY! WOULDNT IT BE A BITCH TO GIVE PEOPLE A JOB, INSTEAD OF REPLACING THEM WITH A CHEAPER LESS EFFECTICE OPPTION! But that's just a personal gripe, and I digress. Your right we live in a time of bigger, cheaper, faster mentality, but lets not forget your talking about a personal service business. Not "I got a machine that can cut that sign cleaner than that fella can paint it". (Keep in mind you can still pay someone to do what you want right, you just gotta look harder. Oh and by the way it's worth it). IM sure there are people that will line up round the corner for a cheaper tattoo by a computer (If it ever happens), but I say the same thing to them that I say to the people who got a free tattoo from an apprentice, or the fella that traded a case of beer for his TAZ tattoo. "Fuck em" they deserve it. Who ever said anything for free was gonna be good. Christ people we live in the good ole U.S.A. when the Hell was the last time you ever got anything good for cheap or free! But hey this is just my opinion... JOE

B Murphy: Hey, sorry... the Star Trek thing wasn't directed at you, just a way to illustrate my opinion. Everyone: I'm sure there is some point where we might need to be paranoid. I think right now though, we are relatively young as a "feasible" industry, say compared to engineering. I expect it will take a long time for someone to invest that much into R&D of such a technology. Right now I'm more concerned with the old school porkchop tattoo guys. You know, the ones that tell folks, "I taught them kids everything," in order to glean hard won clients from younger better artists. They use their "years of experience" to compensate for mid-level or sub-par work and lack of talent. There are older guys that have been around that still strive and contribute. They are due respect, and I don't mean them. And I'm more concerned with the pitfalls of the aspiring kitchen apprentice whose pissed because I won't give 'em a job. They'll find a way to pass off anything as art, and bitch to clients that my shop is too expensive. It's even worse when the tattooed believe that particular hustle. Like Joe C. says, eff 'em,I guess. Those two things take away more of my income than computers can or ever will. I see technology as just another tool to learn to further my abilities. As for the human element, that is truly what tattoo clients desire! They are sick of the automated hold, Wal-Mall shuffle. They get tattooed to feel human again after sitting at the office in front of a screen all day! Tattooing is one realm, even with technology, most large corporations will either be unable or unwilling to get near. Why? Single-use, one-of-a-kind art production is inefficient. Also because the "taboos" that still exist. Anyway, I'm off the soapbox. I'm interested to read more people's thoughts on this! -Kandyman Joe www.pureimaginationtattoos.com

well i think it will take a very long time to get a comp that can tattoo picture it it starts the tat freezes with the needle still in the skin dont think the customer will be to happy being told can you wait till i reboot the comp plus if it gets a bad needle it wont know it will just keep churning up the skin and scarring what about the heat the comps are pretty bad just now with heat big massive cpu fans to keep them cool a machine thats prone to run warm would just add another chance for the comp to freeze. plus all the comp will do is tattoo exactly what its told or shown it wont make suggestings to the customer about what might look better

Thanks guys for your thoughts.Kandyman i no how you feel about people fighting about the guy down the block can do it cheaper with out even looking at your work.The guys that have no artistic abilitiy but they been tattooing for 500 years.I see it every day myself and it is frustrating.I even have shops near me that will tattoo and pierce 14 year olds on a daily basis and no one cares or does anthing.The funny thing is when you look at there web sight it has links to some organizations that teach and control things i dont want to name anyone but im sure you no who they are.But any way i agree with what you are saying 100 percent.But these kind of shops and the cheap bastards that come in to are shops will get computer tattoos for there cheapness.As i think joe was saying about peoples chance to take a break relax and get away from the cold feeling of machines.Some of these people are colder than the Machines themselves they dont care who does the tattoo they want it cheap and fast and like you said fuck em they do deserve it.Thank guys.take care

"If great art was cheap, no one would want it" -John Cusack from the movie MAX.

find the tattooed table on needled. kinda fun.

Personally speaking I would be without a career if that happened. I am so computer illiterate, they call me "pick and poke" around here when I am on the computer, hell it took me 10 minutes just to write this far. Computers will never take over, Tattooing is much to personal. Hopefully if this ever took place we will all be at our beachfront condo drinking ensure only caring about if we need to change our depends!

Thanks for the thoughts guys.Only time will tell.Is there any other artist out there that has some thoughts about something that can take his or her job,We are saying if computers tattoo.Reason is because computers are doing everything else surgury,driving trains,archetechtur and so on.So if something like that happened what are you thoughts?

I would market myself as a Vintage Tattoo Arteest