define analog,please

[severian]

analog definition

Thanks to everyone,
I'm trying to get ideas for a class and catalog definition. Now I'm sure I'll be able to patch one together that covers all (most) bases. You folks are just a bunch of brainiacs!
Jack

 

[jstraw]

I am uncomfortable about using the word "analog" for film photography. Analog while is not digital but the term some how related to an electronic process. The term was use in "Analog Computer", "Analog Audio" etc...

Au Contraire...

The Edison wax cylinder recorder is an analog recording device that involved turning a crank to move a needle laterally across a circular wax-coated cylinder while sound vibrations captured and amplified by a cone excited a magnet attached to a recording needled that carved a groove into the wax. On playback the groove vibrates the needle and the needle's vibrations are amplifed on their way back out of the cone.

Unless the presence of the magnet qualifies as "electronic," then I disagree with you. One might say that the reaction of silver halides to visible spectrum of light is just as "electronic."

Information that constitutes a recording of natural phenomena such as sound or light, is analog by default unless some conversion to digits takes place between the capturing device and the recording medium.

This site is very accurately described as being dedicated to analog photography. The analog recording of a visual image is what a photo-chemical print is. Other things are analog recordings of a visual image as well.

I think the name is clever, ironic, acurate and fun.

 

[Bromo33333]

Anyways, would scanning a negative after it's processed be analog photography?

It would be analog right up to the point of scanning.

I do think that analog does not have to be electronic - just continuous rather than discrete.

 

[Chan Tran]

So it then very difficult for one to practice analog photography if one does not do the darkroom work oneself or shoot only transparency. Most labs today digitize the negative before printing.

 

[Bromo33333]

So it then very difficult for one to practice analog photography if one does not do the darkroom work oneself or shoot only transparency. Most labs today digitize the negative before printing.

If that is the case for you, then yes, it is, by my definition.

But the better labs that are around here don't do it that way and if you want a print, you get a (real) print.

And if in your local area, if you can't or don't want to do your own developing and printing, there are national resources that will do it. One of them is a sponsor of this group, and I have had great luck with (Praus - but for me he is local).

Also, if you have a film negative, that part is analog and if you want to do a digital step such as scanning, you can easily re-scan if you upgrade your scanner or want it drum scanned.

 

[stormbytes]

In the context of the name of the APUG, analog means methods of producing images that do not rely on electronic digital processing of the image, but do rely on the transmission of light through an aperture of some sort onto a light sensitive material. As a general rule, at some point in the process, these processes involve chemical changes to a metal salt resulting from exposure to light.

I agree with that definition, but an interesting contradiction comes to mind. If that be the case, why aren't Hybrid processes (at least those that END UP in the darkroom) tolerated in the forums?

At the peril of being burned at the stake...

I have nothing against digital photography. I make a conscious choice to stick with the analog because, among other reasons, this old dog isn't too kean on learning new tricks. And just in general, the whole digital workflow just doesn't appeal to me! But then again... Neither does painting or drawing! Doesn't make either of those any less of an artform.

The only aspect of the digital realm that has gained my interest to some degree (albeit not hands-on) is the process of scanning a negative and reproducing a printed transparency-neg for contact printing. Sure this process conforms to the aforesaid definition of "Analog" does it not? Hence, why shouldn't this be allowed in the "Alt Process" forum for instance?

 

[Bromo33333]

The only aspect of the digital realm that has gained my interest to some degree (albeit not hands-on) is the process of scanning a negative and reproducing a printed transparency-neg for contact printing. Sure this process conforms to the aforesaid definition of "Analog" does it not? Hence, why shouldn't this be allowed in the "Alt Process" forum for instance?

I would rather keep digital hybrid processes off the group. There are tons of resources for that particular alternative process that aren't on this group.

Plus, for me, this would the the thin end of the wedge - I would prefer keeping the forums "pure" in this regard - since there are very few resources for analog processes on the web, compared to lots and lots of sites for digital - ranging from people comparing poorly processed & scanned ananlog film or prints to oversharpened crummy looking d******l picturs claiming higher resolution - to genuinely helpful sites for those interested in the currently overhyped technology.

And there are specific sites detailing exactly what you are talking about. No need for duplication here, even if I am totally out of line.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Hybrid processes are tolerated only in the "Gray Area" subforum under the "Alternative Processes" forum on APUG. Then people who are not interested can put that forum on "ignore" if they want.

 

[Claire Senft]

It is a construct of 2 words. Anal..now I am not going to explain that in mixed company. og a contraction from the term : original gangster.

So, basically a rather tough crowd. Certainly not a crowd to discuss politics in a dispassionate manner.

 

[crispinuk]

And this side of the pond we add 'ue' for 'unless English'

 

[copake_ham]

As to the term "analog" - using my old ham radio definitions - analog(ue) is continuously variable measurement (e.g. a meter with a needle), where as digital is discrete step measurement (e.g. a numeric readout).

The problem with the former is that it is open to a degree of uncertainty and thus requires some interpolation. The latter provides a single, unambiguous reading, but misses "nuances" between the "steps".

When it comes to photography, quite frankly, I don't think the term "works". Arguably, on a very microscopic level, even film is "digital" - particularly B&W. It is black or white - or a shade (i.e. a different "value" in between").

I think digital photography triumphs in the "non-artistic" workplace because of the seamless interfaces with the output media.

I think that using analog for this site is a reasonable "solution" - but I would really prefer the term "classical" or "traditional". Only idiots think these words are negatives - wise people recognize that they speak to "timelessness".

Today I shot three rolls (2 of 35mm chrome and one 120 negative the latter being my first MF!) - what did you do today to keep film alive?

 

[Bromo33333]

Today I shot three rolls (2 of 35mm chrome and one 120 negative the latter being my first MF!) - what did you do today to keep film alive?

Interesting - though in today's marketplace, you make that decision about all formats - digi or film....

 

[Markok765]

Interesting - though in today's marketplace, you make that decision about all formats - digi or film....

i shot a roll of 35mm and 4 120 rolls in my holga!

 

[rst]

... Today I shot three rolls (2 of 35mm chrome and one 120 negative the latter being my first MF!) - what did you do today to keep film alive?

I printed over 30 postcards for the postcard exchange.

I like traditional photography more than the term analog photography. But APUG just sounds better than TPUG.

Regards
-- Ruediger

 

[Daniel_OB]

By Sean: “I rarely use the word, I typically use "traditional". Also, we are far from the only people who associate traditional photography with 'analog', just google "analog photography" minus apug.org (to keep our site out of it) and you'll get 1/4million hits or more of people using the phrase. I think "analog" is basically becoming general slang for non-digital..”

Sean, this is your site and you can add whatever you like. Photography is defined a long ago. Nothing changed within photography nor ever will, because photography is invented as search for the new media artists needed at the time, so it was not result of search for technological devices. As it is invented and definition came out of the process properties rather than as result of someone’s drem. This was the point photography is hardly ever recognized as a medium of possible work of art. The same is with drawing, woodcut, or just any part of visual art. Every medium has its own inherent properties and limitations. Digital imaging can produce an image on the paper, as many other mediums can too. However this possibility does not qualify digital imaging as photography. Why it is named so? It money or business mater, and has nothing in common with art or photography.
I do not use nor analog not totalog,… It is photography. If opposite me see some authorities in art history. However you like them or not they are what they are: AUTHORITIES IN ART. One of the best example is Janson H.W and his son too (now retored).
And to finish:
Put side by side: what are inherent properties and limitations of both: photography and digital imaging. And see what the difference is. Call for help art history to understand what you write down.

NOTE TO HELP YOU: Monaliza (Leonardo) is something similar to some adjustment in photography. But Leonardo knew WHERE TO STOP with adjustments, otherwise it is a crap.
SOOO There is no analog or digital photography. There are phoptography and digital imaging.

Sorry but if you like erase this text, it anyway did not take me long time, and is intended only to you. Many eat Mcdonald and street burger, millions, but it does not means it is good or means just nothing. I really would like not just to take taking about photography but in some wise way and to defend it from that burgers eaters. Saying analog you attack Stieglitz…

www.Leica-R.com

 

[Bromo33333]

I like traditional photography more than the term analog photography. But APUG just sounds better than TPUG.

Analog ... APUG
Traditional ... TPUG
Chemical ... CPUG (gack! Communist Party of UGanda?)
Film ... FPUG (sounds dirty)
Negative ... NPUG (Sounds overly negative)
Print ... PPUG (stutter)

Nope ... like "APUG" the best. Common parlance, too.

Plus calling someone an "Ape 'ugger" is just plain fun!

 

[Paul.]

Sirs,

You may call it what you will. I ask only that you keep the digi monster outside the walls.
I thank the Good Lord that I found this haven of traditional photography, for an old luditte such as myself it is a breath of fresh air.

Take photos in colour, see the colour of clothes. Take photos in black and white, see the colour of souls. Salvidor Dali I belive and appologies if wrong.
I still seek souls, colour is pretty but its not "real" photography for me.

Many thanks for your efforts.
Regards Paul.

 

[copake_ham]

Sirs,

You may call it what you will. I ask only that you keep the digi monster outside the walls.
I thank the Good Lord that I found this haven of traditional photography, for an old luditte such as myself it is a breath of fresh air.

Take photos in colour, see the colour of clothes. Take photos in black and white, see the colour of souls. Salvidor Dali I belive and appologies if wrong.
I still seek souls, colour is pretty but its not "real" photography for me.

Many thanks for your efforts.
Regards Paul.

Huh?

Are you saying that color film is not analog?

 

[Paul.]

Copake ham.

Nope, just colour aint the type of photography I practice, Im a Black and White man, I prefer it.

Regards Paul.