It think that, like a view camera, you don't have to know much about photography to know it's not a digital camera. For many people, it may be the first time they've seen one in person.
How to deal with photography deniers?
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- Thread starter BradS
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I am interested in keeping film available. The younger a new user is, the greater the longevity of their use. Also, there is a very specific demographic that certain companies are interested in, and I am on my way out of it (along with many others).
As for the different generation, different world thing - I don't agree with the premise. But that is an entirely different conversation that isn't about photography, so I'll restrain myself. I completely understand where you are coming from, though.
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The alley in my block (but called a street anyway) and especially my garage door are among the most photographed spots in the east. Must be the cobblestone pavement. Almost every day a bunch of students are shooting fashion and urban landscapes with bulky digital cameras. Once in a while I pull out a ltm Leica or Contessa just for the fun of the contrast. Nobody has been snarky so far, but sometimes someone will show genuine interest.
Digital has its uses. But I don’t enjoy sitting in fron of a computer. Some people just like to sit. I do enjoy the whole film process.
Digital has its uses. But I don’t enjoy sitting in fron of a computer. Some people just like to sit. I do enjoy the whole film process.
The times I’ve been out with a film camera, rangefinders usually, the ones that express the most interest are the young folks - millennials or Gen Zs. “Really cool” is the usual comment. Maybe it’ll lead to a film enthusiast.
Stan
Same here. When I go out shooting with a TLR I get a lot of people asking what it is etc. If people ask my if I'm a professional, I say "yeah" as I have sold some prints here and there lol. They all love looking at the ground glass. A few ask if "can still buy film?", which seems kinda dumb when you think about it, I usually just look at them with a wry smile and they usually answer themselves "of course you must be able to" and we laugh. People seem to like my old IIIc leica, especially when it has an external viewfinder and the other knob wind rangefinders. Once you get to the larger lever wind rangefinders and SLR's, no one really seems to notice.
Give them the ol gallic shrug. The best invention ever because it says I hear you but I don't agree.
If I am approached, is has been when I was holding my Rolleiflex2.8F.
People are usually just interested.
Sometimes they ask if film is still available.
I usually make sure to tell them that a typical scan from a negative, on my consumer scanner, yields a photo of around 50 megapixels.
That usually shuts up any silly banter.
I have never experienced people trying to make me switch to digital.
In those cases I would simply reply that I shoot both and that I do pretty advanced stuff in PS for my digital work.
If people are just being plain rude, I would not spend energy on a conversation.
People are usually just interested.
Sometimes they ask if film is still available.
I usually make sure to tell them that a typical scan from a negative, on my consumer scanner, yields a photo of around 50 megapixels.
That usually shuts up any silly banter.
I have never experienced people trying to make me switch to digital.
In those cases I would simply reply that I shoot both and that I do pretty advanced stuff in PS for my digital work.
If people are just being plain rude, I would not spend energy on a conversation.
Not dumb at all. You might be using hoarded film.
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Hey Brad
I can see why you were blown away. Its too bad people can't just do their thing without somebody to tell them they are wrong or doing it wrong or obsolete or are a moron. Unfortunately 90% of the general public is clueless, and even fewer have common sense. I can see where that guy is coming from though for most people you can't get film ( or they don't know where to, or that it is still being made ) they heard KODAK went belly up a few years ago, probably have never heard of any other company that sells film, and they see the KODAK logo on clothes kind of like nostalgiawear ( saw someone wearing a "funyons" and another wearing TAB tshirt the other day and it got me thinking when the last time I saw those things, and Schlitz beer signs ( it was the most popular beer in the whole USA until the 1980s now ? ) so maybe the guy was yapping, and yapping loudly, but as far as he is concerned you can't get it anywhere and who knows if any labs still exist where he is ( I told 2 ladies the other day that the last mini lab in the area was down the street the other day when they saw me with a camera, they had no idea! ) ... IDK as ticked off as I get when people yap at me like that guy did to you, I just shrug it off. In the end as long as he didn't get all in your face and violent, who cares what he thinks or what he said. In France years ago I was using a Graflex Series D and some lady told me I was a Hallucination . She probably hasn't seen another film camera or another camera from the 20s since
... In France years ago I was using a Graflex Series D and some lady told me I was a Hallucination . She probably hasn't seen another film camera or another camera from the 20s since
You have an old Graflex Series D. I have one of the newer ones- 1949. Needs some attention though.
Is it too much too ask for mature adults to ignore "photography deniers" instead of getting their shorts in a bunch about it?
I really don't hear anyone getting their pantie in a bunch on this one (unlike digital vs. analog, or standards discussions). It is interesting to hear what others see out there. I have had a few discussions with people about film cameras as I walk around, but it has never been contentious.
OP
OP
I guess I should say that this type of interaction with passers by and onlookers rarely upsets me. I tend to engage with the inquisitive - assuring them that yes, one can still by film for that. That there is actually a pretty good selection and all of what is available is excellent.....and so on.
The only time I get kind irked is when I have the camera set up on the tripod and, while waiting for the light to be right, somebody engages me with the usual barrage of questions and admonitions to "go digital". The light passes and I end up packing up and going home.
When I have the 4x5 set up, I'll let anybody who's even the slightest bit interested look at the ground glass & c.
Sometimes, a serious amateur or retired pro will come along and say something like, "hey, I used to have a Nikon F2 (or what ever) just like that one...." and we'll get to talking about cameras and trips and jobs and so on. This can be more satisfying than making photographs. Sometimes, I even ask them to sit/stand still for a portrait.
...and speaking of pros...I've met a few along the way...usually a wedding photographer, sometimes, I'll bump into a press photographer. These people are always interested, generous and patient.
The only time I get kind irked is when I have the camera set up on the tripod and, while waiting for the light to be right, somebody engages me with the usual barrage of questions and admonitions to "go digital". The light passes and I end up packing up and going home.
When I have the 4x5 set up, I'll let anybody who's even the slightest bit interested look at the ground glass & c.
Sometimes, a serious amateur or retired pro will come along and say something like, "hey, I used to have a Nikon F2 (or what ever) just like that one...." and we'll get to talking about cameras and trips and jobs and so on. This can be more satisfying than making photographs. Sometimes, I even ask them to sit/stand still for a portrait.
...and speaking of pros...I've met a few along the way...usually a wedding photographer, sometimes, I'll bump into a press photographer. These people are always interested, generous and patient.
What I encounter tends to follow the camera I am using. The more "exotic", the more people are just curious. I've never run in to anyone aggressively telling me how out of touch I am, but if so I"d probably just say "pardon moi, je ne parle parle Anglais". Or even better, to really throw them off, "summimasen, Eego wa wakrimasen desu". That should do it.
OP
OP
Naruhodo.
Best reply is ask what is the most memorable photo. Odds are it was shot on film. Digital works for a lot of applications better than film. But until some genius comes up with 8x10 and larger sensors there will always be film. People that argue film vs digital simply do not understand photography. Looking at a large format or medium format ground glass is usually enough to "get it"
Can you describe the "it" one does or does not get. I shoot both digital and film up to 4x5 and haven't a clue what you are talking about. They are different tools. It seems like you are just making a general put down because someone has made a different choice.
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Or
You squint your eyes down get serious and say something like
"You tawk funny. You one of them pinkos that wear them funnie pants and ride them forin made bikes? Me and Bubba watch fer yourin' kind. We seed one of you fellas order a "Manhatin drink" down at the Dew Drop inn. Manhatin! We don't wat nuttin to do with no damn commies that charge 10 bucks for a pak of smokes"
I have a D5, D3, and a D850. I get digital. I also have a 8x10 Deardorff , when you look at the character of a 19 inch lens and a 1/2 inch depth of field that's "It" There's also nothing like a 8x10 contact print on chloride paper. Do you get 20 x 24 Polaroid? That's IT. I'm not putting down anything . I think cell phone cameras are amazing. Now that I think of it I need to buy a new iPhone.
Last night I found a receipt for my first (personally owned) digital camera Nikon Coolpix 990. I paid 250 bucks, used, it came with a 16 Meg card
. I still have that camera it's sooo slow but it's 3.3 mp sensor is devine .
Just last week I was out with my whole plate camera. Guy comes up to me and wants me to come on his local TV station for an interview
Be kind be understanding and be honest with people. I have use large format for almost 50 years and love to share what I know
Be kind be understanding and be honest with people. I have use large format for almost 50 years and love to share what I know
Yes!
MAYNARD: It reads, 'Here may be found the last words of Joseph of Aramathea. He who is valiant and pure of spirit may find the Holy Grail in the Castle of uuggggggh'.
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