This assertion has become time-worn in the debate of film versus digital photography: "you had to think lot more about your shots back in the day as you had only a limited number of shots with film."

It supposes at least two things: One, that digital photographers do sloppy photography and in haste because the cost of wasted shots remains negligible; and two, that digital photographers do not take as much care as a film photographer when doing their photography. This assertion thus insults digital photographers as a way to devalue their work, and as if to say only film photographers function as real photographers. Baloney.

I can attest that in my case I apply care when doing my photography. In fact, nearly all my compositions in the field require no cropping in post-processing later.
Of course, getting exposure right in the camera, from what I gather, still presents a challenge to the digital photographer just as it did to the film photographer.

For the record, I have no beef with film photography. It represents another valid method of doing photography. Further, digital photography rests on the long history and practice of film photography. Moreover, a digital photographer would do well to study the work of film photographers for their accomplishments.

Happy Holidays!

As long as there have been cameras there have been snapshot takers, photographers and GREAT photographers. Every generation of equipment has had its share of each, but one thing for sure is that the GREATS work at it and have a feel for it inside them, regardless of what they hold in their hands.

One thing that helps is practice. Like any other skill, art or talent, it takes practice to achieve greatness. It takes time and effort to learn and hone ones skills, to make them second nature.

In that regard, the delete button is our friend in the digital age. We can go out and shoot our hearts out. If it is a bad day, that delete button (or format on a really bad day) wipes the slate clean and lets us start anew at no cost. Memory cards are like an infinite film roll in that sense. That means our mistakes don't cost us so dearly. We get to learn and grow and reach for more.

In the end though, the EYES have it. Teach them well and you can reach for greatness.

As long as there have been cameras there have been snapshot takers, photographers and GREAT photographers. Every generation of equipment has had its share of each, but one thing for sure is that the GREATS work at it and have a feel for it inside them, regardless of what they hold in their hands.

One thing that helps is practice. Like any other skill, art or talent, it takes practice to achieve greatness. It takes time and effort to learn and hone ones skills, to make them second nature.

In that regard, the delete button is our friend in the digital age. We can go out and shoot our hearts out. If it is a bad day, that delete button (or format on a really bad day) wipes the slate clean and lets us start anew at no cost. Memory cards are like an infinite film roll in that sense. That means our mistakes don't cost us so dearly. We get to learn and grow and reach for more.

In the end though, the EYES have it. Teach them well and you can reach for greatness.

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