Analogue Photography is Alive and Well
Jan 20, 2017 21:58:15 #
This is the first of a series of posts on analogue photography.
First an introduction. I am a retired professor of physics living the life in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I started shooting with film as more than documenting vacations or family get-togethers in 1966 - my freshman year in college. I progressed to developing my own film, then printing my own photos in the college darkroom. I have not taken any formal photography courses but have been to workshops and worked with professional photographers, assisting them and learning from them as time permitted. I currently use a full frame DSLR, iphone, and several 35mm film cameras. The DSLR and 35 mm are Nikons. The films I use are Ilford HP5 Plus, FP4 Plus, Pan F Plus, and Kodak Tri-x, all black and white films.
The posts will consist mainly of articles, or sections of articles from Black + White Photography magazine, published by The GMC Group,
Address:- The Guild of Master Craftsmen
166 High Street
Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1XU
United Kingdom
This is not to be confused with Black & White magazine out of Ross, California.
Black + White Photography is, obviously, about all things black and white in photography. They have articles about photographers using film, digital, iphone, direct printing, and anything else you could imagine.
This will not be a diatribe that film is good and digital is bad. In a previous post from LoneRangeFinder, 35 mm film cameras? What do you use? most replies were stating what film cameras and films were used. There were, however, those who felt the need to tell us they did not use film, why they didn't still use film, and why nobody else should either. Film was compared to taking a horse and buggy to work, using a rotary dial telephone, or using a CRT television. I feel these folks are more concerned with technology and less about art. Latest camera, most pixels, latest version of Photoshop, ... you get the idea, but they are not concerned with the art of photography.
Taking their views and expanding them, painters using oils or water colors should switch to using a Wacom tablet. This way there wouldn't be just one original viewed by a few, but they would have the ability to show their work world wide, almost instantly. They would not be limited to one size of canvas for a particular work, but any size they wanted. If someone liked the piece but the color was wrong for their space, the "artist" could use the color picker and change orange to mauve so the colors would blend in with the client's environment.
Photography is an art, and the choice of medium is up to the artist. There is no right or wrong, good or bad.
If you are a film hater, or think that film is out of fashion, or you just don't like the idea of film, then I would suggest to you that you avoid reading, or responding to, any future posts under the heading Analogue Photography is Alive and Well.
Remember: a good photographer with a bad camera will always take better pictures than a bad photographer with a good camera.
Tim Clinch
A Fortnight at F/8
Black + White Photography
September 2015
First an introduction. I am a retired professor of physics living the life in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I started shooting with film as more than documenting vacations or family get-togethers in 1966 - my freshman year in college. I progressed to developing my own film, then printing my own photos in the college darkroom. I have not taken any formal photography courses but have been to workshops and worked with professional photographers, assisting them and learning from them as time permitted. I currently use a full frame DSLR, iphone, and several 35mm film cameras. The DSLR and 35 mm are Nikons. The films I use are Ilford HP5 Plus, FP4 Plus, Pan F Plus, and Kodak Tri-x, all black and white films.
The posts will consist mainly of articles, or sections of articles from Black + White Photography magazine, published by The GMC Group,
Address:- The Guild of Master Craftsmen
166 High Street
Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1XU
United Kingdom
This is not to be confused with Black & White magazine out of Ross, California.
Black + White Photography is, obviously, about all things black and white in photography. They have articles about photographers using film, digital, iphone, direct printing, and anything else you could imagine.
This will not be a diatribe that film is good and digital is bad. In a previous post from LoneRangeFinder, 35 mm film cameras? What do you use? most replies were stating what film cameras and films were used. There were, however, those who felt the need to tell us they did not use film, why they didn't still use film, and why nobody else should either. Film was compared to taking a horse and buggy to work, using a rotary dial telephone, or using a CRT television. I feel these folks are more concerned with technology and less about art. Latest camera, most pixels, latest version of Photoshop, ... you get the idea, but they are not concerned with the art of photography.
Taking their views and expanding them, painters using oils or water colors should switch to using a Wacom tablet. This way there wouldn't be just one original viewed by a few, but they would have the ability to show their work world wide, almost instantly. They would not be limited to one size of canvas for a particular work, but any size they wanted. If someone liked the piece but the color was wrong for their space, the "artist" could use the color picker and change orange to mauve so the colors would blend in with the client's environment.
Photography is an art, and the choice of medium is up to the artist. There is no right or wrong, good or bad.
If you are a film hater, or think that film is out of fashion, or you just don't like the idea of film, then I would suggest to you that you avoid reading, or responding to, any future posts under the heading Analogue Photography is Alive and Well.
Remember: a good photographer with a bad camera will always take better pictures than a bad photographer with a good camera.
Tim Clinch
A Fortnight at F/8
Black + White Photography
September 2015
Jan 20, 2017 22:26:14 #
Jan 20, 2017 22:33:23 #
Jan 20, 2017 22:34:44 #
phyprof wrote:
This is the first of a series of posts on analogue... (show quote)
Phy, welcome to the Hog!
I will say, film is definitely alive but definately NOT well!!! LoL
Well was when Kodak alone sold a million rolls of film EVERY DAY!
I would definately not call today a resurgence. That said, yes I shoot some HP5 also, but film is not even close to my primary shooting. I shoot in spurts as I do projects that work better in a film look, otherwise it's all digi. I don't shoot film because it's fun or I'm old school. I shoot film because it's film!
I would welcome any intelligent discussions on any subject including film.
I'll be glad to say something if I have anything to say.
Again, welcome, and looking forward to anything helpful you might be willing to post.
SS
Jan 20, 2017 22:58:41 #
phyprof, you're off to a great start!
Looking forward to more, despite not having shot film in at least 7 years. I do miss it sometimes. In my opinion, the magic of seeing an image appear in the darkroom has no equal in the digital world.
Looking forward to more, despite not having shot film in at least 7 years. I do miss it sometimes. In my opinion, the magic of seeing an image appear in the darkroom has no equal in the digital world.
Jan 20, 2017 23:00:54 #
SharpShooter wrote:
Phy, welcome to the Hog! br I will say, film is de... (show quote)
Thank you. I hope that what I post is informative or at least interesting. I agree that Kodak is not selling a million rolls a day, but they are going to bring back Ektachrome, or already have. I know there are many photographers that would like them to bring back Kodachrome, including Paul Simon. I like the "film look" that post processing can't really duplicate, at least from my point of view. I do like taking a photo and seeing if the exposure is good and the composition is what I wanted as soon as I press the button. And I do shoot more digital than film, for the time being. When I find good access top a darkroom, or get one built at our home, then I think film will be used more.
I welcome comments and constructive criticism. Also, anything anyone sees that I am missing please add it to this series.
"Success is not found in what you have achieved, but rather in who you have become."
- Larry Bertlemann
Jan 20, 2017 23:15:44 #
I miss shooting slides, you had to get it right in the camera= 1/2 stop then it became over or under exposed. I think we were all better shooters then.
Jan 20, 2017 23:19:00 #
14kphotog wrote:
I miss shooting slides, you had to get it right in the camera= 1/2 stop then it became over or under exposed. I think we were all better shooters then.
Amen to that!
Jan 20, 2017 23:22:31 #
Welcome. your post makes me want to shoot a few rolls of film. It's been a long time. I once had a darkroom in my garage for b/w processing. Spent many happy hours out there making prints. Good memories.
Jan 20, 2017 23:41:16 #
10MPlayer wrote:
Welcome. your post makes me want to shoot a few rolls of film. It's been a long time. I once had a darkroom in my garage for b/w processing. Spent many happy hours out there making prints. Good memories.
I was fortunate. Every college where I worked or did research had a darkroom that I had access to. They also had the latest and best in enlargers, lenses, timers, temperature regulators, and so on. I provided my chemicals and papers. What a ride!
Jan 21, 2017 01:30:30 #
Welcome to the forum. You are out the gate with a bang. I haven't shot film for years. I do not the chemicals or any part of it. I had a device, I think it was called an alligator grip; in which I could develop the film into negatives and then chose what I wanted to work on. Nope, don't miss it in the least. Too much fun with instant replay.
Jan 21, 2017 02:06:13 #
phyprof wrote:
When I find good access top a darkroom, or get one built at our home, then I think film will be used more.
When I find good access top a darkroom, or get one built at our home, then I think film will be used more.
phyprof, depending on where you live, darkroom space may be rented.
The last time I made prints(last year), I rented space. I was able to use darkroom space for 8 hours for about $30. Hardly worth setting one up. The chemicals where there in gallon jugs and included a conveyor dryer. when I was done I just picked up my stuff and just walked out!!
A few months ago my brother gave me all his darkroom stuff, would be fun to set it up. It's pretty nice stuff with a full color head and motorized up/down.
SS
Jan 21, 2017 03:33:13 #
Jan 21, 2017 05:29:52 #
Pablo8
Loc: Nottingham UK.
I shall watch your postings with interest...Got my ARPS with B&W prints 1977. Still got my darkroom...equipment..cameras etc.
Jan 21, 2017 05:39:24 #
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