Why do you still shoot film?
What is your area of photography (e.g. Fine art, photojournalism, etc...)
Do you do color or B&W?
What type of camera (e.g. 4X5, medium format, 35 etc)
Do you perform any alternative photographic processes (e.g. Platinum/PD etc..)
Do you shoot digital at all? if yes what type of photography.
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.
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.
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
OK Ed, we have given our reasons. Now it's time that you told us yours!
Steve.
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.
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
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?