For those that do, why do you shoot film?
Dec 23, 2020 12:07:06 #
Leinik
Loc: Rochester NY
You may not be able to replicate a silver halide print. These are two different processes so it is an evidence. However what most people understand is that there can be a gap, impossible to bridge, between the two processes. In my experience two 16x20 prints (both on baryta or RC paper) seen from a distance of 2 feet or more (in fact one would need at least 3 feet to embrace the whole image), one digital and one analog, would fool anyone trying to guess which is which. ...and we have so much more control over the final look of the digital one! The only plus of a silver print is if one enjoys spending hours on their own in a darkroom, breathing chemicals (including the irritating selenium toning solution) listening to good music and sipping beer! (Obviously I speak from experience and now enjoy doing exactly the same, more precisely and efficiently, with my Epson printer... without the chemical (and rinsing) part. But I do understand that some may still enjoy (or have to enjoy) the silver process.
Dec 23, 2020 12:08:41 #
TriX wrote:
I dunno, I just scanned some 40+ year old Kodachromes, and my son, who teaches photography and shoots high end portraits and weddings, said “damn Dad, those are unbelievable - let’s go shoot some film”. Sadly, no more Kodachrome, but Velvia ain’t bad.
Yeah, the ONE film I actually miss is Kodachrome. It lived up to George Eastman's promise, "You press the button, we do the rest." I would buy a 20-roll brick of K64, 20 pre-paid processing mailers, and some stamps, then go on a trip, dropping film in mailboxes along the way.
I still have a Kodak Ektagraphic IIIAT slide projector with stack loader, trays, extension cable for the remote, zoom lens, and other goodies. My goal is to digitize all my slides, then sell that projector. (I'll keep the slides.)
Dec 23, 2020 12:40:13 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
I don't shoot film any more but still think that way. I don't shoot in bursts I do shoot carefully as I shot slides in the past, so I think the picture as seen thru the camera is what I get with no chance of fixing. I now can fix etc. but, still think that way. The result is I find I have less pictures to work on (no bursts) and in general less to do on them.
Dec 23, 2020 12:44:51 #
Every successful photographer is driven by an inner voice telling them no one else still shoot film.
Dec 23, 2020 12:55:19 #
Johnnyt
Loc: keizer Oregon
CHG_CANON wrote:
Film for me is just something different to be inte... (show quote)
Here is an example of the comparison between digital and analog photography. It may look a little stupid but I think it shows the differences in life and technology. It is a screen capture so it may be a little fuzzy. Take a look! I think it makes a statement.
Dec 23, 2020 12:57:34 #
Dec 23, 2020 13:02:54 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
The master has deleted more images than the beginner has ever taken.
Lots of truth to that one. My take when I see 15-20 TB of image storage is either that you’re a pro shooting for $ for decades, or maybe you're doing a lot of spray and pray and not being critical enough. You may take 10 shots of the same thing (because you can), but I’d hope you’d edit it down to 1 at the end
Dec 23, 2020 13:49:21 #
Johnnyt wrote:
Here is an example of the comparison between digital and analog photography. It may look a little stupid but I think it shows the differences in life and technology. It is a screen capture so it may be a little fuzzy. Take a look! I think it makes a statement.
Dec 23, 2020 14:39:27 #
Interesting thought 🤔
"Imagine if you will, that electronic/digital photography existed prior to film photography. Suddenly someone invents what we know as film photography"
"Imagine if you will, that electronic/digital photography existed prior to film photography. Suddenly someone invents what we know as film photography"
Dec 23, 2020 14:42:54 #
TriX wrote:
Like a number of members, I still shoot film as well as digital. I still shoot 35mm (Canon EOS-1N) and MF (RB67) as well as develop and print or scan. For those others that do, I’m curious - why do YOU shoot film?
Nostalgia, the challenge, and for non moving subjects, the look and quality of 4X5 Velvia 100 or very good medium format. I really see no good reasons to shoot 35mm film unless something with high magnification.
.
Dec 23, 2020 14:51:55 #
tdoumas
Loc: Buena Vista, CO
Great question! I shoot medium format B&W. My gear includes vintage Rolleiflex and Hasselblad 500CM. I love this stuff. - solid feel, no batteries, super simple controls (3 knobs and no menus), amazing lenses, just pure and simple physics at play.
Since I develop and print in my darkroom every photo I take is part of my quest to reproduce an emotional response that I had when I was at the scene. For my eyes there is nothing quite like a silver gelatin print for beauty, depth, feeling.
Many times I carry a bunch of heavy equipment in my backpack for miles and miles of hiking and take maybe one photo, maybe none.
I worked in front of a computer since the Late 70s and never had an interest in sitting in front of a computer when at home so the darkroom is a wonderful environment for me (which began in high school for me (the early 70s).
I also enjoy the uncertainty of film, I might not get it right, end up with a challenging negative to print or the discovery of something new and unplanned happening with the camera, film or processing.
There it is.
Since I develop and print in my darkroom every photo I take is part of my quest to reproduce an emotional response that I had when I was at the scene. For my eyes there is nothing quite like a silver gelatin print for beauty, depth, feeling.
Many times I carry a bunch of heavy equipment in my backpack for miles and miles of hiking and take maybe one photo, maybe none.
I worked in front of a computer since the Late 70s and never had an interest in sitting in front of a computer when at home so the darkroom is a wonderful environment for me (which began in high school for me (the early 70s).
I also enjoy the uncertainty of film, I might not get it right, end up with a challenging negative to print or the discovery of something new and unplanned happening with the camera, film or processing.
There it is.
Dec 23, 2020 15:03:35 #
spaceytracey
Loc: East Glacier Park, MT
As w/most people here, I started out shooting film. I miss it. The only film camera I still have is an old Pentax 6X7 with a locked mirror. One of these days I'll have it fixed, order some film & get back into it. I think shooting film makes you think about each shot so you don't end up wasting film.
Dec 23, 2020 15:06:59 #
While you are in the darkroom messing around with all of those chemicals, I'm before my computer sorting through what I've taken and making a few corrections on some, drinking coffee, etc.
Dec 23, 2020 15:19:31 #
Photography by digital means has rendered photography by film obsolescent, except as a niche practice.
That said, others argue that digital photography rests on the shoulders of film photography. After all, film produced excellent photographs and great photographers. One has only to view the work of glamor photographers during the Thirties and Forties to appreciate their accomplishments in the film mode. They understood the value and importance of composition, posing, lighting, and subject.
They inspired me when I had a home photography studio. I felt drawn to the use of artificial lighting.
That said, others argue that digital photography rests on the shoulders of film photography. After all, film produced excellent photographs and great photographers. One has only to view the work of glamor photographers during the Thirties and Forties to appreciate their accomplishments in the film mode. They understood the value and importance of composition, posing, lighting, and subject.
They inspired me when I had a home photography studio. I felt drawn to the use of artificial lighting.
St.Mary's wrote:
Imagine if you will, that electronic/digital photography existed prior to film photography. Suddenly someone invents what we know as film photography. I suggest its reception would bring on a giggle, a laugh plus a much derision with the end result of an almost universal "who needs it."
Dec 23, 2020 15:26:08 #
Iron Sight wrote:
Interesting thought 🤔
"Imagine if you will, that electronic/digital photography existed prior to film photography. Suddenly someone invents what we know as film photography"
"Imagine if you will, that electronic/digital photography existed prior to film photography. Suddenly someone invents what we know as film photography"
Knowing what I know from an industry insider perspective, it would attract just the hobbyist, artist, artiste, and high end pro niches it is known for now. In a digital world, analog media are not popular. With no prior existence, it might not even find a foothold.
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