How much of an analog purist are you?

df cardwell · Oct 5, 2005

It is VERY interesting that in the analogies comparing photography and music, we're talking tubes vs transistors.

Isn't it bizarre we're not talking guitars and fiddles vs recorded music ?

The correct analogy would be be:

" Looking at pictures on line is like listening to a music CD,
but listening to tube amps is like looking at pictures in a finely printed book."

Let's not even think for a moment that any recorded media equals a live performance, any more than a reproduction of a fine photograph resembles a fine photograph.

.

jovo · Oct 5, 2005

df cardwell said:
, any more than a reproduction of a fine photograph resembles a fine photograph.

Actually, and to my complete surprise, I've seen a number of books that had reproductions that were almost indistinguishable from the original prints which I had directly beside the book. The first time that happened was at a workshop with Mark Citret. He had with him a number of the prints that were reproduced in his book, "Along the Way". More recently, at the LF conference in Springfield last spring, there was an excellent photographer from either NZ or Australia (I don't recall which) whose book and prints were side by side on a table outside the conference rooms.

In both cases, had the book repros been cut out of the book, matted and presented alongside the originals, I am not at all sure I'd have been able to tell them apart. First rate photographic monographs have reached an astonishing level of verity.

As to sound, there's simply no reproducing medium that would ever fool me between live and recorded as long as the music was accoustic, and performed by a group larger than two or three. You just can't get speakers to move the same amount of air that live instruments can.

PeterB · Oct 5, 2005

Loose Gravel said:
So, how much has digital invaded your life? How much of an analog purist am I?

I'll focus my thoughts here on A versus D media. Silver Halides versus CCDs.

I use analog film for art as a means to express myself.

I use a CCD in my digital PhD camera for happy snaps and documentation [1].

I retreat to my dimly lit haven for therapy and solitude, it is a place where deadlines don't exist.

I often rush to process my digital images on the PC. My digital images demand haste and exude expectations.

By deciding that my hobby in analog photography would not have to pay the bills, I feel free to learn, experiment and perfect.

Just my thoughts.

Peter

[1] PhD = Push here Dummy

Roger Krueger · Oct 6, 2005

Not remotely a purist. I care about the final image, period.

Different images taken under different conditions with different limitations demand different approaches.

I shoot analog because it works a lot better for some of the things I do.

I have a 1dsII that is incredible for a number of uses, but there is a great deal that my Mamiya Universal is better at, that my Zorki + 12mm Voigtlander is better at, that my Linhof is better at.

Given hard limitations in SLR wide-angle performance, noisy digital long-exposures, weird handling of in-scene light sources and no single-shot competitor for 4x5 anywhere within a decade of production, I imagine I'll be shooting film for a long time. But ONLY because it works better.

That said, 30 years down the road, when I really can't justify the Mamiya on image quality anymore, I probably will still use it just because I really like it, but hey, I'll be 70 then, oddness is expected.

sionnac · Oct 6, 2005

I use a scanner to make digital images from negatives and prints, but I haven't been able to cozy up to digital cameras. I have one (in my phone) that carries images of my family and friends, but that's it. I love the meditative time spent in the darkroom, the process. My home darkroom is almost finished and I'm looking forward to time spent there.

MJSfoto1956 · Dec 1, 2005

MY compromise: digital + analog

here is an image of my custom-made scanner using a Beseler 45mx enlarger together with an old Linhof together with a BetterLight scanning back (9000x12000 pixels). I am very comfortable using this equipment. Scanning doesn't get better than this.

Dead Link Removed

Michael

Andy K · Dec 1, 2005

How analoge are you?

I do not own an electric kettle. I don't believe they boil the water to the correct high temperature. Tea is much better made with hot water froman old style whistling hob kettle.

SchwinnParamount · Dec 1, 2005

Andy K said:
How analoge are you?

I do not own an electric kettle. I don't believe they boil the water to the correct high temperature. Tea is much better made with hot water froman old style whistling hob kettle.

Amen to that brother! My kettle has a two tone whistle so it sounds like an approaching train. I've had tea from one of those electric rigs. The water just boils wrong. Tea made with electric kettle boiled water is like coffee made from those horrid freeze dried instant coffee crystals.

On another note... In Seattle two days ago, I was at the Microsoft product launch for Visual Studio 2005. HP was giving away prizes to anyone who could answer a couple of simple questions correctly. I did answer the posed question correctly. The prize was some crappy little HP digicam. I turned down the prize and walked away. If I am going to use a digicam, it will be a really good one. Why does HP foist such shoddy stuff on the public?

eric · Dec 1, 2005

SchwinnParamount said:
HP was giving away prizes to anyone who could answer a couple of simple questions correctly.

GEEK!!

Claire Senft · Dec 1, 2005

I picked up a digit camera yesterday, looked thru the viewfinder na set it do.

Did this cause me to lose both my puirty snd vrginity?

michaelsalomon · Dec 1, 2005

the electric kettle vs. old style kettle thing is a joke right?

Rick Haug · Dec 1, 2005

Claire Senft said:
I picked up a digit camera yesterday, looked thru the viewfinder na set it do.

Did this cause me to lose both my puirty snd vrginity?

I doubt it had that great an effect on you, Claire. But it may have temporarily affected your spelling.

Andy K · Dec 1, 2005

michaelsalomon said:
the electric kettle vs. old style kettle thing is a joke right?

Nope. An old whistle kettle will boil the water hotter because the water is boiled under a small amount of pressure. An electric kettle will shut itself off before the water has boiled properly, and there is no pressure factor either.

avandesande · Dec 1, 2005

I am at 7,600 ft. I will never get good tea up here.

Andy K said:
Nope. An old whistle kettle will boil the water hotter because the water is boiled under a small amount of pressure. An electric kettle will shut itself off before the water has boiled properly, and there is no pressure factor either.

John Bartley · Dec 1, 2005

avandesande said:
I am at 7,600 ft. I will never get good tea up here.

Pressure cooker .....

Claire Senft · Dec 1, 2005

Mr. Haug, are you saying that my spelling is been screwed?

Rick Haug · Dec 1, 2005

Claire Senft said:
Mr. Haug, are you saying that my spelling is been screwed?

Whatever malady you contracted from handling the digicamera, the cure is quite simple. Put a film camera in your hands for a while, preferably one with as few bells and whistles as possible. Guaranteed to clear up the digititis.

How much of an analog purist are you?

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