sr71 Loc: In Col. Juan Seguin Land

I like F4U's and P47's better than 17's

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Well, geo, being an old AE-1 man, I can sense your feelings. But, nothing is forever! The learning and exploring the transitions, upgrades, important changes, etc, are what make life fun! Photography is no different. Wish you'd saved that old Ftn? I wish I still had my AE-1. Would be fun to play with every now and then.

sandersonjack15

I shoot a full frame digital camera. I learned photography on various Pentax film cameras. All the things I learned from them are applicable to digital photography. The cost of processing has gone down and the ability to see my work right after I shoot is a godsend. I don’t have to change my photos in Photoshop any more than I did in a dark room. I challenge most photographers in their ability to use everthing in photoshop anyway. Point is good photography and good darkroom work are still available. In my bag is an old Pentax LX, I still use it when the shot is right but don’t waste near as much film as I used to.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Fear not, if you get really nostalgic, most modern software has "old" or Sepia special effects. There are even effects that tear the edges or fold the corners over on your perfect digital masterpiece so it looks like it's been in an old shoe box in the bottom of the closet for the past 50 years...

Gampa

Learning new (camera) technology is another good way for us old timers to keep our brains functioning ... and fresh

Veccia Capra Loc: Alabama

I was a "real photographer" back in the 1980s while serving in the military. I used Canon AE-1s, A-1s, an RB-67 and a few other camera systems, processed all the film (color and B&W), printed the images.
For a few years I shot video, edited the footage, added narration and all other post production duties.

I do miss those days, but working with the film and paper processor chemicals MAY have been a factor in my current multiple myeloma cancer diagnosis. Fishing for lost paper in the bottom of a processor, up to my armpits in chemistry may be reason I am on chemotherapy as I write this.

I agree that the simplicity of a Pentax K-1000 is something I miss, digital cameras make it harder to have the kind of control a manual SLR allowed. That said, those days are gone although they may return like vinyl records are currently. Even if they do I doubt many real photographers would choose to return to those days.

rodpark2 Loc: Dallas, Tx

I started taking pictures in Vietnam in '67. War is tough on cameras so I went through several. I got hooked on photography and when I got home I built a darkroom and began a lifetime obsession. I still have most of my slides and negatives and more prints than I can count. I shot my last film in 2004 and have been all digital since then. I've made a living doing every conceivable type commercial work and teaching photography at local colleges for 35 years. I can say without reservations teaching film was far easier. The menus in digital cameras are complex beyond belief and a simple wrong setting can really foul things up. I spend much more class time explaining the camera than in the film days. While it's true that some shots can be done easily in the point n shoot style, most really outstanding shots require overriding automatic camera choices. The darkroom is now replaced by the editing programs and that too is very complex. For me, picking up any old manual film camera and shooting is a piece of cake. A new unfamiliar digital requires a good deal of familiarization with the camera. I eat, sleep and breathe photography, and love it all. Different yes, more or less difficult, sometimes and maybe.
The one thing I'll always love about digital is the thousands of dollars I've saved on film and processing/supplies. I can shoot more without having to spend tomorrow's rent. There's also the share factor. I travel a lot. At the end of most days I edit and upload the day's best images for people around the world to see and join in on my adventures. I use the latest and best equipment, along with tiny point n shoot cameras and my iPhone. They all have a purpose and there are occassions when I prefer one over the other. I love adapting old 60's-70's manual focus lenses to my mirrorless and SLR digital cameras. Most lenses have a purpose or look that works for some subjects. I'm a happy old guy today and can spend a great deal of time exploring and documenting my world. Photography has given purpose to my life and the ever changing technology helps keep my 73 yr old mind sharp. G'day mates! https://www.facebook.com/roddy.parkinson

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

You so easily forget that it still is the photographer holding the camera that takes the photograph. You ASSUME that all of us put the camera on A for auto everything and then click away hoping for the best. Apparently in your rant you have forgotten to actually see the incredible photos the UHH photographers submit.

Are there some people who just click away without much thought given to the final photo? Of course there are. But I believe most of us hope to use the camera settings to get the best picture we can; NOT the best picture you can but the best we can do.

You also forget that we paid OUR money for the equipment we use. If we choose to use a camera for a boat anchor then that is our right to do.

Dennis

Quinn 4

What I like about using film camera is I have to stop and think what I going to get a picture of. At my age(72) that is good because I had to use my mind.

joel.photography

Steve, I enjoy your youtube posts and books. You're one of the best.

I see some old pics, like the moment Ali dropped Liston, and I'm amazed by the athletic skill required to manually focus back then. But I sure wouldn't go back. How many people had darkrooms back then to process as they pleased? If they did, do they miss the chemicals they breathed?

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Some parallels here. I still use my Pentax K2 DMD for film for one.

bcrawf

Yessir, technology has changed (and will continue to), but art is still art.

rplain1 Loc: Dayton, Oh.

Well, if you really want to go retro I have a pencil and paper you can borrow.

geodowns Loc: Yale, Michigan

That one was really good. I like it. All that old knowledge gives us an edge on the new stuff even if we dont use it all. The dark room is a more friendly environment. Its now in photoshop and a nice printer.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

A good photographer can shoot equally well with an Argus brick or the Nikon 850. The camera is just a tool. Just as a hammer is to a carpenter.

SVP