Help: Why do you still shoot film?

[cmo]

Why analog?

Digital cameras are decadent.

Digital images don't mean anything to me. They are just some bytes on a hard disk. No negative, no slide, no original. Nothing to touch. I use mostly mechanic cameras, and a light meter. I develop the rolls in my on darkroom. It is work, but I love it, and it has a meaning.

It's like with our modern food: if you don't know what you eat, if you just buy a package in a shop, if you don't cook it yourself it is meaningless.

But if you grow your own tomatoes and prepare them in your own kitchen, it feels and tastes VERY different.

Analog photography is like "slow food": don't consume, enjoy.

Or as a friend of mine said: 'Life is not consumption. You have an appointment with life. Don't miss it.'

 

[fotch]

Why do you still shoot film?
Better quality. More options regarding equipment. More dependable.

What is your area of photography (e.g. Fine art, photojournalism, etc...)
Commercial, Advertising, Product photos.

Do you do color or B&W?
Both, color is the majority.

What type of camera (e.g. 4X5, medium format, 35 etc)
While I own & use all different types, mostly use 35mm last couple of years.

Do you perform any alternative photographic processes (e.g. Platinum/PD etc..)
No.

Do you shoot digital at all? if yes what type of photography.
Yes. Commercial, Advertising, Product photos. Digital if speed is needed, film if quality or more choices in equipment is needed.

 

[IloveTLRs]

Why do you still shoot film?

Because it gives me results that digital cannot. I will confess that digital has come a long way in the past 10 years, but has not come close to film in terms of quality. Speed, convenience and size perhaps yes, but quality? No. If you don't believe me shoot a roll of Velvia 100 and put it on the lightbox - 35mm or MF, your choice.

What is your area of photography (e.g. Fine art, photojournalism, etc...)

Fine art, landscape, street.

Do you do color or B&W?

Both. Color negative & slide.

What type of camera (e.g. 4X5, medium format, 35 etc)

35mm & medium format.

Do you perform any alternative photographic processes (e.g. Platinum/PD etc..)

Nope.

Do you shoot digital at all? if yes what type of photography.

Not anymore.

Tonight I attended a get-together with my wife and some of her friends. Half-way through the night someone brought out some old photos from around 1990~91. They were photos of them doing silly things but they brought back lots of memories and the group had a good laugh about it all. It got me to thinking, who passes around physical photos anymore? Who prints photos to last? Is your iPod going to be around in 2016 to pass around and show your photos on? Something to think about in the "digital" age.

 

[Wontgetschooledagain]

Why do you still shoot film? I am an Architecture Student taking a photography class and I have to. But i Still plan on continuing to after i am done because it is more hands on than digital, and i enjoy it more.

What is your area of photography (e.g. Fine art, photojournalism, etc...)
Amateur fine art... for the most part

Do you do color or B&W?
B&W

What type of camera (e.g. 4X5, medium format, 35 etc)
Cannon AE1 Program 35mm, Ocational 4X5

Do you perform any alternative photographic processes (e.g. Platinum/PD etc..)
Lith printing

Do you shoot digital at all? if yes what type of photography.
Snapshots with my 8 megapixel point and shoot.... mostly to document projects for classes

 

[Aurum]

Why do you still shoot film?
I like the thought and composition that goes into it. That and I have a lot of analogue kit, some of it twice my age that needs film. At present I don't get the depth of image and definition from digital that I want. Digital in my price range is a simplified recording technology not an artistic tool
Also analogue kit is pennies on Ebay these days . Good for me!

What is your area of photography (e.g. Fine art, photojournalism, etc...)
I'm a hobby photographer, pure an simple.

Do you do color or B&W?
Used to be 100% C41 colour, these days about 50/50


What type of camera (e.g. 4X5, medium format, 35 etc)

A mixture of 35mm SLR and increasingly 120TLR and vest pocket cameras I must stay off ebay!

Do you perform any alternative photographic processes (e.g. Platinum/PD etc..)
Oh yes! Pinhole cameras, printing in various chemistries, and on various surfaces. I'm a professional chemist, so its my opportunity to play

Do you shoot digital at all? if yes what type of photography.

I use a small digital 5mp compact for grab shots or for when I want a camera available, but don't want to lug a camera bag around.
I use it for "Snaps"

 

[Paul Goutiere]

Digital cameras are decadent.

I'm not really taking umbrage with this statement because I know where your heart is, but in truth, film is where the real decadence lies.

What could be more decadent than seeing a 'chrome projected on a large screen. Seeing those images just sopping with colour is decadent. (particularly when compared to a projected digital image.)

Owning a camera with the history of say, a Leica M2, a Rolleiflex, a Nikon F2 and knowing how to use it, is a little decadent.

Having a selection of good fresh film is like having your own wine cellar. This is decadent.

Knowing that that little piece of photographic film will last an inordinate amount of time and the image hasn't been processed like a piece of Kraft cheese.... this is decadence.

 

[jfish]

Why do you still shoot film?

So there will be at least one person left who can say "I shoot film" after the bland, it all looks the same, digital photography has all but destroyed any type of true creativity and spirit out of the medium of photography.


What is your area of photography (e.g. Fine art, photojournalism, etc...)

Fine Art, figure studies, still lifes, documentary, personal, fun stuff, like my daughter.



Do you do color or B&W?

Mostly B&W, some color, usually for the fun stuff.



What type of camera (e.g. 4X5, medium format, 35 etc)

WI have 35mm through 4x5 so whatever is closest when I'm grabing my camera to shoot something.



Do you perform any alternative photographic processes (e.g. Platinum/PD etc..)

Not yet but hope to soon.



Do you shoot digital at all? if yes what type of photography.


I'd LIKE to shoot digital with a sawed off shotgun!

 

[Steve Smith]

Now it's your turn!

OK Ed, we have given our reasons. Now it's time that you told us yours!


Steve.

 

[cmo]

I'm not really taking umbrage with this statement because I know where your heart is, but in truth, film is where the real decadence lies.

What could be more decadent than seeing a 'chrome projected on a large screen. Seeing those images just sopping with colour is decadent. (particularly when compared to a projected digital image.)

Owning a camera with the history of say, a Leica M2, a Rolleiflex, a Nikon F2 and knowing how to use it, is a little decadent.

Having a selection of good fresh film is like having your own wine cellar. This is decadent.

Knowing that that little piece of photographic film will last an inordinate amount of time and the image hasn't been processed like a piece of Kraft cheese.... this is decadence.

Well, I do not agree...

First of all, I shoot B/W. No chromes oozing with color. Tri-X oozing with tones.

Owning a collection of classical cameras in MINT condition in a display cabinet and shooting family celebrations only, using a Yakumo digital camera, that is decadent. (Who said "shoot all collectors"?)

The film that I have in the fridge was good and fresh years ago, but it still works fine, and as long as I don't show off with some precious bulk rolls of Tech Pan there is no decadence. Buying a new digital camera with more resolution every 6 months, updating firmware every trimester and automatically downloading updates for Photoshop almost daily, that is decadent. My M6 had one CLA within 15 years, and that was enough. It's the man behind the camera and his art, we all know that. So, if we really believe it, why use a technology that wants to be in the center of attention?

Storing your photos on vulnerable hard disks, storing a backup on CDs and DVDs without knowing how long they will last (or how short), printing them on paper of unknown quality and with fading ink, that is totally decadent because when doing so you debase your own little pieces of art.

Of course, Kraft factory-made cheese is a clear sign of decadence, too, just like fast food. I have a theory, that companies like Kraft, Nestle and Monsanto feed us with genetically modified industrial waste - not to nourish us but to get rid of industrial waste and to pocket all money in the universe.

Recognizing food as food and photos as photos, that is quite similar.

 

[Willie Jan]

Why do you still shoot film?
I am am working whole day with Computers and want to do something with my hands for hobby. Besides that i like the image created with film. I do not like the image created by an cpu processor....

What is your area of photography (e.g. Fine art, photojournalism, etc...)Fine art,landscape.

Do you do color or B&W?
B&w and occasionally slides

What type of camera (e.g. 4X5, medium format, 35 etc)
4x5 and 6x6

Do you perform any alternative photographic processes (e.g. Platinum/PD etc..)
Cyanotype, bromoil

Do you shoot digital at all? if yes what type of photography.
Nope. (my wife does...)
Oh yes, when i want to put something on ebay I use my wives compact

 

[railwayman3]

Why do you still shoot film?

I've used film since first becoming interested in photography through the school Camera Club (long time ago, now!). Pocket money for film was precious, and I couldn't afford to shoot three or four films to get one good picture....guess I was taught to try to make every frame count. I've acquired a large range of equipment over the years, so why change my approach now.
I confess to scanning and d*******y printing my pics just at the moment (lack of time and facilities), but I intend to restart a b&w darkroom when I eventually retire.



What is your area of photography (e.g. Fine art, photojournalism, etc...)

Landscapes, pictorial, nature, general hobby photography.

Do you do color or B&W?

Colour slides, negs and B&W as needed, as the mood takes me.

What type of camera (e.g. 4X5, medium format, 35 etc)

35mm, medium format very occasionally.

Do you perform any alternative photographic processes (e.g. Platinum/PD etc..)

Not at the moment, would love to try them if time ever allows.

Do you shoot digital at all? if yes what type of photography.

Yes, almost never for pictorial work though. Just family pics, for ease and speed of providing prints of the kids, and for any quick record of anything, when I won't need to keep the results for any length of time.

 

[Bob King]

Why do you still shoot film?

Because I like to. While I shoot mainly digital SLR I find that traditional B&W still looks better with film, has a greater dynamic range etc. Having said that I believe that creativity is more a function of the photographer than the equipment or the recording medium. I have seen some fantastically creative shots taken with digital "point and shoots". In "my opinion" the image quality of full frame digital 35mm SLRs from Nikon and Canon exceeds that of color print film I'm talking about resolution and clarity (lack of grain), color rendition and so on. Color slides is another matter - projected Velvia or any chrome for that matter eats projected digital. And B&W? I've already told you. As for medium format - I don't own a digital back so I don't know, hence all my MF is film. I probably print one in 15 of my digital images.


What is your area of photography (e.g. Fine art, photojournalism, etc...)

Everything except nudes.



Do you do color or B&W?

Mostly B&W, some color (in MF)



What type of camera (e.g. 4X5, medium format, 35 etc)

35mm film and digital SLR, 35mm rangefinder, 6x7 medium format SLR



Do you perform any alternative photographic processes (e.g. Platinum/PD etc..)

No



Do you shoot digital at all? if yes what type of photography.


More digital than film - in 35mm form image quality (for color images) and convenience - for example being able to change ISO is a real plus when I want to maintain shutter speed. I use digital except when I want to shoot B&W. I love darkroom work and process and print all my own B&W images, but I don't want to do this all the time. Shooting RAW files in digital gives me incredible control over my digital images. Unlike the opinions of some, I feel there is just as much skill and creativity in using the "digital darkroom" as there is in the analog one. May film live forever and I will use it forever, but its not the only recording medium available to creative photographers.

 

[Paul Goutiere]

Well, I do not agree...

First of all, I shoot B/W. No chromes oozing with color. Tri-X oozing with tones.

Owning a collection of classical cameras in MINT condition in a display cabinet and shooting family celebrations only, using a Yakumo digital camera, that is decadent. (Who said "shoot all collectors"?)

The film that I have in the fridge was good and fresh years ago, but it still works fine, and as long as I don't show off with some precious bulk rolls of Tech Pan there is no decadence. Buying a new digital camera with more resolution every 6 months, updating firmware every trimester and automatically downloading updates for Photoshop almost daily, that is decadent. My M6 had one CLA within 15 years, and that was enough. It's the man behind the camera and his art, we all know that. So, if we really believe it, why use a technology that wants to be in the center of attention?

Storing your photos on vulnerable hard disks, storing a backup on CDs and DVDs without knowing how long they will last (or how short), printing them on paper of unknown quality and with fading ink, that is totally decadent because when doing so you debase your own little pieces of art.

Of course, Kraft factory-made cheese is a clear sign of decadence, too, just like fast food. I have a theory, that companies like Kraft, Nestle and Monsanto feed us with genetically modified industrial waste - not to nourish us but to get rid of industrial waste and to pocket all money in the universe.

Recognizing food as food and photos as photos, that is quite similar.

I must capitulate.

 

[DanielOB]

Ed
I think it is not clear to you what photograhy is for some "questions" does not relate to photography at all.
Pity on photography with teachers like you, even worst you are not just one.
"Why do you still shoot film?"
Because I am photographer. Do you get it? I do not think so.
Sorry but no respect to just anyone.

Daniel OB
www.Leica-R.com

 

[keithwms]

Sweet cheeses Daniel! Ed is merely trying to collect a diversity of opinions from people. It's called conversation. Just because he doesn't already know your motivation doesn't mean he doesn't "get it."

 

[Don Wallace]

Why do you still shoot film?
Several reasons.

1) I do not like the digital workflow or the digital tools (except cloning to get rid of dust. Wish I had that in the darkroom).

2) I prefer the look of film and paper but even if it could match the best b&w prints, 1) above still applies.

3) It is too expensive. I know this sounds counter-intuitive since you can shoot as much as you like once you get the camera. However, I never used that approach (shooting a lot, hoping for the best), and there are a lot of hidden costs with digital. Any good digital camera is an expensive item and with the rapid change of technology, will probably have to be replaced in the not distant future. To get quality prints, one needs a very good computer and printer, both of which will have to be replaced sooner than later, as with the camera. I have very high quality gear in my darkroom (from "fire sales" as folks went digital) and it will not need to be replaced in my lifetime.

What is your area of photography (e.g. Fine art, photojournalism, etc...)
Fine art, family photographs, including vacation photos.

Do you do color or B&W?
Both. For the record, I am not anti-digital. I shoot colour, scan at home to see which ones I want printed, and then take those to a lab that also does digital prints. I will be experimenting with printing my own colour in the darkroom in the very near future, just for the hell of it.

What type of camera (e.g. 4X5, medium format, 35 etc)
6x7, 4x5, 5x7, 8x10

Do you perform any alternative photographic processes (e.g. Platinum/PD etc..)
Not yet, but very soon.

Do you shoot digital at all? if yes what type of photography.
No. If I need a quick digital photo for ebay or something, someone always has digital snapshot camera. Like cell phones. I don't own one but I use everyone else's. Heck, I can even take a quick snapshot on the cell phone.

This is kind of a fun thread. I want to point out that I am not bummed out with digital. If I were a full time pro, say working as a journalist or running a commercial portrait studio, I would have gone digital ages ago, not through choice but because of the pressure to stay competitive.

 

[esanford]

Ed
I think it is not clear to you what photograhy is for some "questions" does not relate to photography at all.
Pity on photography with teachers like you, even worst you are not just one.
"Why do you still shoot film?"
Because I am photographer. Do you get it? I do not think so.
Sorry but no respect to just anyone.

Daniel OB
Dead Link Removed

Daniel,

Sorry if you found my question offensive... It is clear to me that you are probably far more sophisticated and philosophical then me. Moreover, you probably have a much better command of the English Language. Am I a teacher? Only to the extent that we are all teachers. I only shoot film because I love it.

I belong to a local arts group which has a gallery where my work has been displayed. I am the only photographer that displays gelatin silver prints. Moreover, I am the only photographer that shoots film. When I found out that a member was presenting a workshop on digital photography, I volunteered to to do one on film photography.

Yes, yes, yes, I know that all of that misses the point. Photography is not the medium it's the craft. This workshop will be attended by a well-meaning group of people who are interested in what I have to say on a very "simple level". We will not get into a lot of esoteric, philosophical discussion. Of greater importance, I will not be dragged in to an A vs. D debate. We will discuss what things can be done with film and film cameras ... period.

The information that I have received from this post is invaluable, and I thank everyone who was kind enough to participate. Honestly, I had no idea that the response would be this large. Two photographers from APUG are even providing prints, negatives, and transparencies for my use at the workshop.

I hope that explains things. Moreover I am convinced that what I am doing is in the interest of APUG.

To everyone else: I've tried to address Daniel's concern. Maybe I was successful and maybe I was not. In any event. I would beg each of you not to let this wonderful forum be dragged into one of those endless debates that starts after a question like Daniel's. He is entitled to his point of view. I do not need anyone else to defend what I requested. Moreover Daniel made his point very well, and I hope others will not "pile-on".

Thanks again for everyone's kind participation



Ed Sanford

 

[esanford]

OK Ed, we have given our reasons. Now it's time that you told us yours!

Steve.

OK Steve... you got me... I don't believe I am too different than everyone else. Having a worldwide sample from top notch photographic artists will give me a lot of credibility in this workshop. OK, here goes mine:

Why do you still shoot film?
I shoot film because I love photography, and for me, photography is synonymous with film. In addition, I have not fully mastered the use of film and print materials. There is a world of things to do with film photography, and I haven't scratched the surface. I thoroughly enjoy darkroom work. I am always amazed to watch a print "materialize" in the developer, and I enjoy the challenge of working an image until I get it right... Doing it on a computer and ink jet printer just doesn't seem like photography to me.

What is your area of photography (e.g. Fine art, photojournalism, etc...)
I would like to think that I am an "artist" in learning...

Do you do color or B&W?
99.9% of my images are B&W... I enjoy the mental exercise of converting vibrant colors to brilliant tones...

What type of camera (e.g. 4X5, medium format, 35 etc)
I actively shoot medium format, and I am in the process of moving to 4X5; my darkroom has been retrofitted to handle LF

Do you perform any alternative photographic processes (e.g. Platinum/PD etc..)
In today's world I guess you could call gelatin silver an alternative process ... I am not adequately skilled in gelatin silver to the point that I am ready to try anything else. I find Pt/Pd intriguing..

Do you shoot digital at all? if yes what type of photography.
I borrow my wife's P&S digital for practical projects like shooting pictures of my boat engines to show to mechanics, ebay posts, or family grin & snaps. I have done one digital negative to correct a bad negative (it is posted in my gallery here).

 

[Quinn]

Great questions Ed (and posts everyone). I enjoyed reading these. FWIW, here's my two cents:

Why do you still shoot film?
I don't shoot film. I work in wet plate collodion and nothing else (for personal work). I shot film for many years and loved it for all of the "esthetic, tactile and philosophical" reasons mentioned in a lot of the aforementioned posts. However, after wet plate, I don't care for film or digital much at all anymore (did he really say that?).

What is your area of photography (e.g. Fine art, photojournalism, etc...)
I would argue that I work in fine art, personal expression - trying to ask the "big" and "weighty" questions through the process of image making.

Do you do color or B&W?
I guess you would call it black and white. In reality it's more of a warm (yellow/red) color.

What type of camera (e.g. 4X5, medium format, 35 etc)
4x5, 8x10, 11x14 (and soon 16x20)

Do you perform any alternative photographic processes (e.g. Platinum/PD etc..)
Yes, wet plate collodion (Ambrotypes, Tintypes/Ferrotypes, Alumitypes, Negatives/POP).

Do you shoot digital at all? if yes what type of photography.
Yes, my livelihood depends on it. I also find it very convenient and useful for blogs, publications, posts, travel, (utilitarian things) etc. I'm not a Neo-Luddite, but I do believe photography will never be what it once was and I'm happy that I got to be a part of it.

 

[Aurum]

Great questions Ed (and posts everyone). I enjoyed reading these. FWIW, here's my two cents:

Why do you still shoot film?
I don't shoot film. I work in wet plate collodion and nothing else (for personal work). I shot film for many years and loved it for all of the "esthetic, tactile and philosophical" reasons mentioned in a lot of the aforementioned posts. However, after wet plate, I don't care for film or digital much at all anymore (did he really say that?).

QUOTE]

Hats off to you sir. That takes a degree of commitment that is almost unknown.
I'll admit to liking the idea, but being too damn lazy, I'm unlikely to try it out just yet.

 

[Saganich]

Why do you still shoot film?
I like the craft of shooting, processing, and printing. A skill to be proud of although there isn't must time for honing.

What is your area of photography (e.g. Fine art, photojournalism, etc...)
natural philosophy photography

Do you do color or B&W?
B&W

What type of camera (e.g. 4X5, medium format, 35 etc)
35, 120, 4x5
Do you perform any alternative photographic processes (e.g. Platinum/PD etc..)
I cross process slide film for long night exposures when the moon is half full and nice clouds are scraping the sky.
Do you shoot digital at all? if yes what type of photography.
No, too much mysterious processing that never looks mysterious. I have a camera on my iPhone that I have the habit of making self portraits with while killing time at some interminable social event when even drinking has become tiresome. Besides my wife is in charge of the 1's and 0's so it is a burden I gladly decline.
_________________

 

[Eyepix]

Why do you still shoot film?

There is something magical about film. The history is so rich and there is so much to discover. With digital, anyone can take a picture, but with film you actually have to work at it. Film is for thinkers, for people that want to cultivate and nurture their vision, who want to experiment. I love the first time you see the image in the negative or on the paper. Its magic. It takes time to perfect the craft of creating images. I like taking my time because what takes time, time respects.

What is your area of photography (e.g. Fine art, photojournalism, etc...)

Fine Art, some commissioned work (ie. portraits, events, headshots).

Do you do color or B&W?

Almost completely BW. I haven't shot color film in years. The other thing is I just think BW is cooler. We don't see in BW, so I like that "wow" moment when you see how color [that we see] translates into BW. It just gives me chills thinking about it.

What type of camera (e.g. 4X5, medium format, 35 etc)

6x6, 6x7, 6x17, 4x5, 5x7, 8x10

Did I mention film cameras are just way cooler than digital cameras? Although, I have to admit I love my Canon 5D with a lensbaby.

Do you perform any alternative photographic processes (e.g. Platinum/PD etc..)

No but I am really interested in trying. I just have to make the time. I'm very interested in trying tintypes, paper negs, Daguerreotypes, Pt/Pl printing, and Gum Bichromate. I know, so much to do and way too little time.

Do you shoot digital at all? if yes what type of photography.

Oh yeah, my wife hates how long it takes to create photographs (if you actually want to do a good job) so doing film is just torture for her. So I use my Canon to take pics of us and our baby girl. She, like most people, don't understand why you would shoot film, especially if its large format. They just don't understand what drives us to do such things. For me it's the "zen" moment when its just you and your subject. I'll wait for hours, looking over a landscape, until the light is just right to take "1" shot. I LOVE IT!

I also shoot digital for clients (events and such). I don't even bother with film when it comes to exchanging services for money because most people are completely in the dark, in the here and now, into instant gratification. I take a photo and they are like: "Can I see, can I see?" [Uh, no]. Occasionally, I get someone who knows what's up and they want me to photograph them with a LF camera.

 

[naknak]

- ''Why do you still shoot film?''

- Because film is a ''life-like'' situation or I may say,is the way of being.
I do accept in general everything that life is made of,but I do accept also that what we are,is not what we can specifically analyze in our scientific labs.A human being is not,let me say,his blood or brain cells and for the same reasons a picture,a photograph,is not electrons,chemicals or microscopic fibers.A photograph,as a whole,is the camera,the film and the paper chemistry.That's my way of life and the understanding.

- ''What is your area of photography''

- I have the feeling that a real amateur photographer does not have a specific ''area of photography''.In a way we are all artists but we don't know it yet.

- ''Do you do color or B&W?''

- Both.

- ''What type of camera''.

- 35mm to 6x9.

- ''Do you perform any alternative photographic processes''.

- No.

- ''Do you shoot digital at all? if yes what type of photography''.

- No.

Kyprianos

 

[Rick Tapio]

My answer is pretty simple. A number of years ago I was in a photography gallery & saw a LF William Clift B&W silver print.

It literally took my breath away.

Color photographs have not done that. Digital photographs have not done that. Nothing in photography has ever affacted me the way that print did.

If I can ever get close to that photographic standard in my own work, it will be a great achievement.

Rick Tapio

 

[Eyepix]

My answer is pretty simple. A number of years ago I was in a photography gallery & saw a LF William Clift B&W silver print.

It literally took my breath away.

Color photographs have not done that. Digital photographs have not done that. Nothing in photography has ever affacted me the way that print did.

If I can ever get close to that photographic standard in my own work, it will be a great achievement.

Rick Tapio

I remember having that same feeling when I went to see Aaron Siskind's photographs at the Phillips Collection in Washington D.C. The print that struck me was "Jerome, Arizona".

That print was, literally, glowing. I just stood there hypnotized for 15 minutes. My wife was ready to take off and I just wanted her to leave me behind. : ) Anyways, we should all be so lucky to achieve such a level of vision and technical prowess.