I read Paul Lester’s “Stuck on Film” post today and followed a link to Chris Klug’s “Why I Shoot Film” post. Chris has listed some of the better reasons I’ve read for shooting film–boil it down, he personally likes the results, enjoys the process and feels a tie to his past.
Those reasons I understand.
I don’t have the extended film experience Paul or Chris have but while in the Air Force (many years ago) I took photography classes, shot film and did my own developing and printing. I still have an Olympus OM-1 F-SLR and a couple of lens.
My point is, I have reference for what shooting film is like. But could the film experience hold me back? With digital, do we spend too much time and effort trying to emulate film results?
Many young photographers now starting out will never have that reference–they may never shoot film unless it’s required for a course or class. They’ll consider film old-folk stuff–the 33 1/3 vinyl records of photography–how they did it in the old days.
Many of these young artist will also have been raised on computers. They’ll instinctually understand digital manipulation and post-processing, using Photoshop and other applications.
They’ll have fewer prejudgements or boundaries and greater digital skills–Photography, Video, Design, Graphics and Art will be merged and redefined (see what I mean in this sample from Abduzeedo.)
No final conclusions…still thinking. ;-)
Great post, Earl. I think that you have a good point here. Each generation has their own music, entertainment, television, etc. I looked at those portraits in the link and, well, they left me cold. They were ‘interesting’, technically, but I felt that they were ‘sound bites’, having little vision. Nothing to say. This does not mean that what I just said is true, but it is just the feeling that I got. I want a bit more substance.
Substance is not guaranteed, to be sure, if you use a certain camera, film, light, etc. I think that it is a matter of preference. I prefer more complex music, most times, rather than the thump, thump, thump of the rap beat. Film, I think, is a bit more ‘complex’ than digital. Not in the work flow, but in the idiosyncrasies of the film itself, perhaps in the contemplative way that you could approach shooting with film at $6/36-exposure roll.
Who knows? It was good food for thought.
@Paul: The portraits in the link aren’t exactly my cup-of-tea but lot of young artist thrive on this type of work. As there are individual preferences there are also generational preferences based upon social and environmental circumstances. We were born in a cross-over period between film and digital photography so our preferences are based upon that. Young people who have been “digital” all their lives have a different perspective. Heck, my parents never did “get” rock and roll or R&B. :-)
Of course there will be individuals who collect and do things the “old way” just as there are people who today collect 8-tracks and vinyl.
You know, maybe Nikon’s D5000 still/video camera has it right for this new generation. An all in one digital media recorder could make perfect sense to them. Heck, even Cell Phones are getting multi-megapixel cameras now. Perhaps that’s what future camera’s will be. All in one devices which take a “zillion” megapixel images that you carry in your pocket.
Doesn’t sound like fun to me…but I’m a dinosaur. ;-)
I got nothing regarding film versus digital, but I know how much I am enjoying this series of spring flowers. I am looking forward to a respite from the wind here so I can think about some macro work. Your photos have made me a bit antsy to get to it. Lovely work.
@Anita: Thank you on the photos. I’m having to be creative in taking these Spring flower photos because of allergies. I’d like to be able to put in more time outdoors but I’m lucky my allergies are only one month each spring.
I’ll be eagerly watching your site for macro photos and I’ll know the wind has been calm. :-)
I am challenged by the wind, but I don’t think that’s as tough as fighting allergy symptoms. Will you be done by May?
@Anita: Normally the worst of my Allergies here are in April–especially the middle two weeks. By May I shouldn’t have any excuses. :-)
I like the spring flowers which are like a breath of fresh air after our bizarre spring was so snowy and cold. Nice blossoms arranged in a pleasing fashion. The link was very interesting but not my thing.
That’s a relief. Did you do SoFoBoMo in April last year and fight through the symptoms?
@Anita: No, I watched from the sidelines last year. Sometimes I wonder what made me signup this year but then at the same time I’m excited about it. I think I’m more excited then apprehensive–a good sign.
Hi Earl, I’m a sofobomoer too. I read your comments on how film is perceived by people with no history in this medium. It’s interesting and it never struck me until a few weeks ago, that an entire generation has never used film cameras. It was a discussion on Leica Forum that enlightened me of the obvious. Many with me had the same experience I guess, the question was discussed for weeks:
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/digital-forum/79912-digital-generation.html
@Ove: Thanks for stopping by. It’s an interesting topic for discussion even if it makes me feel old being on the “have used film” side. ;-)
Thanks for the link I’ll check it out!