When Asked Why You Are Not Shooting Digital, What Do You Reply?

Terrence Brennan · Jun 1, 2011

Paul Goutiere said:
I was approached by a fellow who actually chastised me for messing up the environment with my "coal powered, smoke belching" Hasselblad. I was polite! (How many other people here would be polite?)

I have been told that a couple of times; I always take the time to politely educate the uneducated into how dirty digital manufacture and disposal is, compared with conventional photographic materials.

The clincher is always when I tell them that most digithrowaways will end up in a landfill within about two years, whereas none of my cameras will never be discarded, even if unrepairable, as they are a valuable source of spare parts.

Sirius Glass · Jun 1, 2011

Argenticien said:
I have recently found myself being asked not so often "Why are you not shooting digital?" but rather phrasing like "Is that a film camera you're shooting with?!?!" (Asked with such a tone as to implicitly add "...you crazy nut!" at the end.)

Recently I have been getting more of "Is that a film camera you're shooting with?!?!" Asked with wonder and followed by can you still get film? and where do you get it developed? Hence, I have told them about Keh.com and APUG. They will usually writed down the information or take notes on their cell phone [!]

Or at an airshow with my Speed Graphic "Does that use 35mm film?"

Steve

spacer · Jun 1, 2011

Why am I not shooting digital? Because this isn't a digital camera, silly!

Zathras · Jun 1, 2011

BobD said:
<Big snip>.....
This, of course, is just my opinion and, by the way, simply posting this opinion
over at RFF caused one of the mods there to becomes so upset and enraged
that I was "banned forever" from their forum simply for saying it. So, be careful
who you repeat this to.

I had one of the mods at RFF, (back_alley, oliceman threaten to ban me, just because I used the word GASBAG in a post. :w00t:
Here is what he posted in a reply to me:

"perhaps this isn't the right forum for you...

and if you refer to anyone here as a gasbag again i will personally ban you."

I wasn't directing my comments at any particular individual, so I must have struck a nerve

fstop · Jun 1, 2011

Did you tell them they were a gasbag on your way out?

Klainmeister · Jun 1, 2011

Zathras said:
I had one of the mods at RFF, (back_alley, oliceman threaten to ban me, just because I used the word GASBAG in a post. :w00t:
Here is what he posted in a reply to me:

"perhaps this isn't the right forum for you...

and if you refer to anyone here as a gasbag again i will personally ban you."

I wasn't directing my comments at any particular individual, so I must have struck a nerve

He was just angry over that giant burrito he ate for lunch.

Zathras · Jun 1, 2011

fstop said:
Did you tell them they were a gasbag on your way out?

Nah,

Didn't bother to reply, so I'm not banned yet

I'm still thinking up a way to get old back_alley really pissed off before he bans me.

I do refer to APUG in my answers to RFF members questions about film based photography, telling them that APUG is a MUCH better resource than RFF.

Worker 11811 · Jun 1, 2011

Roger Cole said:
I don't think the theater analogy is a good one.

I agree that the physical analogy might not be best but it's more than that.

Most people, to me, seem as though their whole focus is on possessing the latest equipment. I don't necessarily care whether it's movie theater equipment, home theater equipment or whether we're talking about digital and analogue cameras.

Roger Cole said:
(Ok, sometimes film is better, sometimes it isn't - doesn't matter to me, I like the process.)

I absolutely agree. It's the process that matters. It's about people making images: movies and still photos for other people. It's about the work and the craftsmanship that it takes to make those images.

There are times when I would rather order out for pizza at dinner time. Other times I'll heat up a frozen dinner in the microwave oven. There are just as many times when I'd rather cook dinner in the kitchen. I would rather have a home cooked dinner at almost any time. It's not simply because the food is better but because somebody made it.

This is the same difference I see between a digital photo and a traditional photo.

Somebody took the time to master the process and actually MADE the photo for me.

James Mignogna · Jun 1, 2011

we have all been asked. All you need say is "I like film" and move on. Nothing more need be said.

fstop · Jun 1, 2011

Zathras said:
Nah,

Didn't bother to reply, so I'm not banned yet

I'm still thinking up a way to get old back_alley really pissed off before he bans me.

I do refer to APUG in my answers to RFF members questions about film based photography, telling them that APUG is a MUCH better resource than RFF.

Well having moderated on boards since 92 I've learned a lot of the tricks devious people use to annoy board staff I might be able to help in that department.

Chirs Gregory · Jun 1, 2011

Last night I was trying out my new DIY print developing tube, and I discovered about halfway through the developer that the seal holding the top to the body of the thing wasn't exactly water-tight. It was a scene of absolute carnage, but I stuck with it and for some inexplicable reason the print turned out perfectly. If I try to do anything DIY with digital, the only thing I get is a little smoke and maybe the smell of ozone and blown capacitors.

Back when I was in high school, I took a photography class. This was right after digital cameras started to become available, and so I naturally assumed that my tech-savvy teacher would be all over digital. One day I saw him shooting with his Mamiya TLR, and I asked him why he stuck with film when digital cameras were soon going to be able to match it in terms of color and resolution. He said he kept doing it because nothing could beat the feeling of knowing that everything that happened with the image could be credited or blamed on him and him alone. He then brought up that classic line that it's less about the product and more the process.

So a few years later, I found my old AE-1P and decided to shoot a roll for old time's sake. Now I'm hooked on film, for pretty much the exact same reasons that he gave. I've also found that with film the extra time can allow me to think more about what the message is going to be with each image, so I end up with a higher proportion of interesting and useful shots than I would if I was using a digital camera. I would definitely use digital for things that require less thought and more action, like weddings or journalism, but I've found that for art photography the more ponderous pace of film is beneficial.

As an interesting aside, my old teacher now shoots almost exclusively in digital, and I think the only time he goes into the darkroom at school now is to show students how to use the stuff, before he retreats back to his Photoshop-bedecked Mac Pro.

wblynch · Jun 1, 2011

I never found it takes any more time to take a film photo than a digi-photo. In fact I think digi takes longer because of all the mistakes - and checking - and chimping - and taking another, and another, and another and.....

With film, take one and move on. We will look at it later when it comes back from the lab.

lxdude · Jun 1, 2011

Zathras said:
Nah,

Didn't bother to reply, so I'm not banned yet

I'm still thinking up a way to get old back_alley really pissed off before he bans me.

Forward him a link to this thread.

fstop · Jun 1, 2011

Yeah get him on your home turf where he she it doesn't have any mod power.
:munch:

Roger Cole · Jun 1, 2011

All you folks rediscovering film and finding that one of its virtues is its "more ponderous pace" (and I agree) are going to be in for a real delight when you step up to large format. Just sayin'.

4x5 cameras and lenses are cheap these days, ditto enlargers and lenses, film can be tray developed. Film can be expensive but you don't shoot nearly as many shots and there are inexpensive alternatives like Foma. Come on in, the water's fine (and a whole new meaning of "ponderous.")

/aside

snegron · Jun 1, 2011

A couple of years ago I had a one of these "why do you still use film" incidents. I was at a sidewalk sale looking at items on a table when I noticed an old light meter for sale. I made the mistake of asking the person attending the table what the price was for the light meter. She asked me what I planned to use it for and I told her it was for some film cameras I owned. She became somewhat rude and told me that no one uses film cameras anymore, "everyone uses digital." She told me that if I knew anything about photography I would know that film was not something people used anymore. Before I could explain that I used both film and digital, she turned her back to me to greet someone who was interested in a $5.00 lamp she had on the table. She had no interest in selling me anything. I placed the light meter back on her table and walked away.

Zathras · Jun 1, 2011

fstop said:
Well having moderated on boards since 92 I've learned a lot of the tricks devious people use to annoy board staff I might be able to help in that department.

Sounds like fun to me, although I don't think it takes much to get old back_alley riled up. I might just start posting that I that photopoo.com, is vastly superior to and a better source of information than RFF.

BobD · Jun 1, 2011

snegron said:
A couple of years ago I had a one of these "why do you still use film" incidents. I was at a sidewalk sale looking at items on a table when I noticed an old light meter for sale. I made the mistake of asking the person attending the table what the price was for the light meter. She asked me what I planned to use it for and I told her it was for some film cameras I owned. She became somewhat rude and told me that no one uses film cameras anymore, "everyone uses digital." She told me that if I knew anything about photography I would know that film was not something people used anymore. Before I could explain that I used both film and digital, she turned her back to me to greet someone who was interested in a $5.00 lamp she had on the table. She had no interest in selling me anything. I placed the light meter back on her table and walked away.

Funny story.

Whenever a seller asks me 'what I'm going to use it for' I just say, "I collect them."

Sirius Glass · Jun 1, 2011

BobD said:
Funny story.

Whenever a seller asks me 'what I'm going to use it for' I just say, "I collect them."

"They make good bookends."

msage · Jun 1, 2011

After reading a few pages of this thread I just had to chime in. 90% of the comments I get when out shooting (mainly 4x5) is very positive. Most are thrilled that there are photographers still using film, BxW and view cameras. Most are glad for their Digital cameras, but as one woman told me that she was "glad some people preserve the craft and the art of real photography".

Roger Cole · Jun 1, 2011

I have yet to meet anyone else who knew what my 4x5 was, aside from an old camera. Some day, no doubt, I will.

Shooting at a group gathering with the Yashica TLR a good friend did ask jokingly if I had to put a cloth over my head. "Not with this camera, that's with my other film camera I use for my more art oriented photos, not for group outings." Then we had a nice talk about it. He thought it was very cool.

fstop · Jun 1, 2011

All you folks rediscovering film and finding that one of its virtues is its "more ponderous pace" (and I agree) are going to be in for a real delight when you step up to large format. Just sayin'.

Although I never stopped using film only slowed down, the more ponderous pace (I like that term) IMHO is why mechanical manual metering cameras like SRTs and FMs are so popular.
Back to the roots, hands on, methodical process... the pace forces you to spend more time thinking about the image.

I always wanted a 4x5, being a toolmaker and having machines to make anything, building my own 4x5 has been in the back of my mind for years.
The problem with large format for most people is not having dark room facilities.Its the only reason I never purchased a 4x5.Unless I can find a lab that does 4x5 its out of the question.

tomalophicon · Jun 1, 2011

fstop said:
Although I never stopped using film only slowed down, the more ponderous pace (I like that term) IMHO is why mechanical manual metering cameras like SRTs and FMs are so popular.
Back to the roots, hands on, methodical process... the pace forces you to spend more time thinking about the image.

I always wanted a 4x5, being a toolmaker and having machines to make anything, building my own 4x5 has been in the back of my mind for years.
The problem with large format for most people is not having dark room facilities.Its the only reason I never purchased a 4x5.Unless I can find a lab that does 4x5 its out of the question.

Poor excuse.

I can load 12 film holders in a small changing bag and unload 6 holders into a daylight developing tank when I'm finished.

Roger Cole · Jun 1, 2011

That's a point I didn't take into consideration. Although I know better, I tend to assume anyone doing film seriously has or at least has access to a darkroom, even if makeshift. There are mail order labs that will do your 4x5 but the price could easily become prohibitive. I wouldn't do it myself if I didn't do it myself and won't bother with 4x5 color until I'm ready to print color again.

Roger Cole · Jun 1, 2011

tomalophicon said:
Poor excuse.

I can load 12 film holders in a small changing bag and unload 6 holders into a daylight developing tank when I'm finished.

Perhaps so, and do what with the negatives?

Ok, you could scan them. But in a purely traditional way - well you could send them out to a lab to print, I suppose.

Still I love LF but wouldn't bother if I didn't do my own printing.

When Asked Why You Are Not Shooting Digital, What Do You Reply?

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