In a very short span of time, I'd say less than a decade more and more people started using digital cameras. At first, many professional photographers never thought digital photography would ever compete with film. I shot with film for many years using 35mm, medium format, to 4x5 sheet films. The negative was king and the bigger the negative the better the quality and resolution of the print. Digital photography hit the pro market around 2002-2003, and I remember shooting with some digital cameras that just plain sucked. They gave new meaning to the word noise. I don't even think collectors would collect these paper weights. Professionals need to walk softly and carried a big stick, so to speak. We approached with caution and never trusted anything of value to a camera that created an electronic image. Amazing how things change and some photographers totally left film behind, or did they?
I think that digital made it easier for the consumer to become more successful with capturing an image. Digital like most new technologies is usually tested on the consumer market first and then fine tuned for the professional market. For professionals it's about quality not quantity. We live in a world of instantaneous viewing and sharing through the use of cell phones, iPhones, iPads, Facebook, and the list continues. In an instant, have photographers lost the art of photography? Do they settle for an image because they now have an image?
There seems to be a resurgence throughout the world concerning film photography. Many photographers, including myself, shoot with both digital and film, and I don't think we should draw a line in the sand for either. I believe we should embrace both formats. It is said, "If you can make it in New York you can make it anywhere." I think to a degree that applies to film. If you can shoot a subject successfully with film, this will definitely make you a better, stronger, and possibly a more creative digital photographer. I learned on film and I hope it never goes away.
Are people becoming interested in film because they want to slow down and enjoy the art? They want to wait for the film to be developed and be surprised or even delighted by the results? Do they want to learn a different way to photograph a subject? Maybe it's the challenge or even romance of shooting with film.
Today people are buying vinyl again. Is the sound of the CD too perfect? Maybe it's the cracking sound or just simply placing the needle on the LP. I remember sitting next to my record player spending hours looking at every picture and reading every word on the large album cover. There was something very special about dropping the needle, listening to the crackling and waiting for that moment to hear your favorite song. It was more than just listening to music; it was and experience as I sat there reading the lyrics and singing out of tune. My mother would yell," Turn that down and stop singing." Gee, I thought she liked the way I sang.
Actually, shooting with film is very cool and there's something wonderful about taking your time to really make sure to get it right before you pop the shot. If you develop and print your film, it is incredible to watch the print develop before your very eyes. Film photography requires a great deal of knowledge, patience and waiting for just the right moment. It's about slowing down and enjoying the ride. To learn to get everything right within a few shots that saves time, money and energy. After all, photography in its simplest definition is the collection of light in the right amount to create an exposure or more importantly a creative exposure. I believe photographers need to stop, slow down and enjoy the experience.
Diane May has been a professional photographer for over 20 years and has created an Online Course for Beginners-Intermediate Film & Digital Photographers => http://www.learnphotographyathome.com/lph-beginnersecourse-1011.html
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