Hi from NJ
Feb 10, 2012 08:42:50 #
Glad to have found the forum.
I've been involved in film photography and processing for over 50 years. The youngsters out there have no idea how much more enabling digital technology is. But, the downside is that it allows you to be sloppy. When every click of the shutter meant an additional cost to process the negative and then having to correct it through scores of prints made in darkrooms with bad smelling chemicals, you got a real appreciation for thinking out each photo at the shoot and using established photo techniques that got you as close to a final print as possible.
What I've come to see today, is that people aren't taking the time to learn the basic craft of photography. It's a point & shoot word now with the notion that a lousy photo can be turned into a work of art later with little effort and inconvenience. Since there's no penalty for sloppiness, most photos these days are second rate.
Of course, people on forums such as this, by definition, are the exception. But, we should do more to teach new shooter the art and science behind photography. One, then, gets a better respect for the medium with the end result of us not being subjected to scores of poor images by family and friends.
Pehaps this thought is getting some traction. Today, Groupons was pitching a discount from a company in NYC providing instruction on B&W print processing in an actual darkroom. Maybe I'll hold onto my equipment a little longer. Comment if you wish.
JoeV
I've been involved in film photography and processing for over 50 years. The youngsters out there have no idea how much more enabling digital technology is. But, the downside is that it allows you to be sloppy. When every click of the shutter meant an additional cost to process the negative and then having to correct it through scores of prints made in darkrooms with bad smelling chemicals, you got a real appreciation for thinking out each photo at the shoot and using established photo techniques that got you as close to a final print as possible.
What I've come to see today, is that people aren't taking the time to learn the basic craft of photography. It's a point & shoot word now with the notion that a lousy photo can be turned into a work of art later with little effort and inconvenience. Since there's no penalty for sloppiness, most photos these days are second rate.
Of course, people on forums such as this, by definition, are the exception. But, we should do more to teach new shooter the art and science behind photography. One, then, gets a better respect for the medium with the end result of us not being subjected to scores of poor images by family and friends.
Pehaps this thought is getting some traction. Today, Groupons was pitching a discount from a company in NYC providing instruction on B&W print processing in an actual darkroom. Maybe I'll hold onto my equipment a little longer. Comment if you wish.
JoeV
Feb 10, 2012 09:10:19 #
Welcome aboard.
You've got it spot-on. Digital has made photography very easy and too many people don't want to learn the craft. Some schools, both high schools and universities, still teach film and chemical darkrooms. I recently graduated from the University of Maryland, where I took three photography courses - two were in film. My youngest son is a senior in high school and is in his third year of film photography.
You've got it spot-on. Digital has made photography very easy and too many people don't want to learn the craft. Some schools, both high schools and universities, still teach film and chemical darkrooms. I recently graduated from the University of Maryland, where I took three photography courses - two were in film. My youngest son is a senior in high school and is in his third year of film photography.
Feb 10, 2012 10:18:18 #
You are correct about digital. I'm an old long time film guy and well I find digital both enlightening and sloppy.
Here's what I find.
+ I don't have to take polaroids of studio shots or go develop a sheet of film until I get it right. I can use the screen on the back of the camera and make adjustments quickly.
+ My prior experience makes my composition and exposures intuitive so I normally don't have to PP my photographs.
+ But the lack of cost(films and specialty papes,developers, etc, the new batteries, lets me take a whole lot more photographs than I used to.
+ no more restrictions as to the number of photographs you can take. (35 per roll vs. 1000)
+ Digital saves a lot of time.
- I miss ektachrome.
+ Learning digital has become as much of an experience as learning film was.
- I miss the smell of a dark room and the sexy red light
Here's what I find.
+ I don't have to take polaroids of studio shots or go develop a sheet of film until I get it right. I can use the screen on the back of the camera and make adjustments quickly.
+ My prior experience makes my composition and exposures intuitive so I normally don't have to PP my photographs.
+ But the lack of cost(films and specialty papes,developers, etc, the new batteries, lets me take a whole lot more photographs than I used to.
+ no more restrictions as to the number of photographs you can take. (35 per roll vs. 1000)
+ Digital saves a lot of time.
- I miss ektachrome.
+ Learning digital has become as much of an experience as learning film was.
- I miss the smell of a dark room and the sexy red light
Feb 11, 2012 06:37:47 #
Agree.... But don't you miss spilling developer all over yourself, not being able to load a Nikor tank with 35mm film in the complete dark, making sure your chemicals are within one degree of spec so you don't ruin the whole roll? Me neither... Long live digital.
Feb 11, 2012 07:09:01 #
Welcome to the UHH. What I don't miss about film development, is the beating on the bathroom door and the loud cry of "hurry up I got to go". This was common when I first set up a darkroom in the bathroom.
Feb 11, 2012 09:30:15 #
Welcome from another Jerseyite that started shootin in the 50's. You'll like this site, a lot of great knowledgeable people, only a few not.
Feb 11, 2012 12:26:55 #
Feb 12, 2012 04:21:47 #
I was the same way.I didn't want to give up on film. I retired in 93. After 39 years a wedding photographer.I finaly bought a digital when Nikon Came out with the D60 Every time I decided to get one they came out with a newer one.Now they are really very good.Nikon or Cannon. I finaly sold all my 120 pro cameras & 35mm nikons. No looking back. Digital is here to stay. Us old guys have to go with the flow. Ill be 82 in a short while. Good luck.
Feb 12, 2012 08:29:40 #
Feb 12, 2012 09:20:12 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.