I understand the "it's the process" or the "it's the journey not the destination" aspects, but are we just fooling ourselves a little bit here?
Indeed. I might add:
Fooling ourselves seems to be part of who we are as humans. We go to movies, read books, tell stories, form social structures and do all manner of other things that if you get down to it boils down to an intricate fantasy held up so we can feel things we otherwise wouldn't. I pity those who don't fool themselves a lot of the time.are we just fooling ourselves a little bit here?
Why are they desirable? Not sure. A different thread. The randomness? The nostalgia? Maybe both and then some.
-Light leaks hitting the frame at random -> very much noticeable even from a scan
'Yes but I can rEPRoDuCe ALL of that in Photoshop and Lightroom!!!"
The users I've described up here won't own Photoshop or Lightroom. They'll probably get a Macbook pro at uni in some years. Now all they have is a Steam Deck, a phone and an ipad to do 'homework'.
Those who are slightly older, and probably own a LR subscription, and probably own a DSLR of sorts, probably can't be arsed to try and simulate the above sitting at the computer. Why, if you can achieve the real thing with a small, interesting, old object and some film?
One can learn immensely by just operating any camera in full manual mode. No film needed. It seems to me that a certain segment of the photo-taking population treats film like an effects filter. That teaches nothing.
I think you are taking things a bit too personal.
Remember, a lot of us use Photrio as a therapy. Some also as a punching bag.
I'd say more to the discussion a couple pages ago, that lingers a bit around and Matt rose the moderator hat on. But as Koraks also wrote then, it's abit the thread's points that touches some personal ways.Was this directed at me? I honestly did not take it personally. Sorry if my response came across that way. Looking back, I can see how what I wrote could come across more negatively than I'd intended it depending on the tone of voice one reads it in. When I wrote it, the tone of voice in my head was casual.
It's a hobby. Nobody is required to meet your standards of how they ought to approach it. Nobody is required to "learn". The only thing they're supposed to do is enjoy it.
A while ago I ran into some article about hobbies need not be so professionalised, and people do not need to be good at it nor monetise it; but there is a contemporary grind and hustle culture that prevails that.One of the things I say to the twenty-somethings that I know who are into film, and who come to me for advice....is that their way of doing things may very well not match mine. And that is OK.
1. Nothing!What's wrong with "it's the process" or "it's the journey not the destination"?
Isn't this how hobbies are supposed to work?
Always write in a tone of voice based on Donald Sutherland.
What's wrong with "it's the process" or "it's the journey not the destination"?
A while ago I made a wooden spatula. The raw materials cost me more than an actual spatula from Walmart would've cost and it took me days to make it because I insisted on making it purely with hand tools despite my complete lack of talent.
So?
It was a fun activity and I enjoyed it. Now I smile every time I notice my wife using it.
Isn't this how hobbies are supposed to work?
Always write in a tone of voice based on Donald Sutherland.
And if you feel like singing, sing like Leonard Cohen.
One of the things I say to the twenty-somethings that I know who are into film, and who come to me for advice....is that their way of doing things may very well not match mine. And that is OK. While I'm happy to explain my methods and preferred techniques, they are not The One True Way and if someone wants to experiment with Lomography Purple in a Holga they should damned well go and do so. Then let's look at the results, see if we can figure out what the photographer likes and dislikes and use my experience and knowledge to help *them* get the results *they* want. That may be hella-halation. It may be light leaks. It may involve funky film. It may involve photographs that, from a pure Ansel Adams style technical point of view are "bad". But they are the creative brainchild of an individual who wants to do something different. A bit like rock musicians discovering distortion.
30+ years ago I inherited an original Diana (under the Sinomax name). I never did anything with it because it's not my thing. But 10 years ago I gave it to someone who *likes* toy cameras with plastic lenses and light leaks. And they've had a blast with it. That means an unloved camera is getting some use, and some Ektar is getting sold that otherwise wouldn't. And someone is very happy shooting film. That's a win in my book.
There are myriad reasons to shoot CN film. Is any of them objectively "wrong"? I have my doubts.
Just don't sing like Donald Sutherland....
So if I follow the points made here, one of the main reasons to shoot analog film rather than digital is the hope of recording abnormalities and defects in the name of creativity.
Sometimes a fear of imperfection prevents us form having fun. I was a child prodigy on the violin....was told I could be the next Nigel Kennedy. That was an impetus for me to stop at a point where I was playing for audiences of hundreds, backed by professional musicians while still in my teens. I didn't want that. Nearly 40 years on I occasionally pick up the instrument and I can still play a bit. With practise I could probably play well, but that pressure to be "perfect" still to this day spoils my enjoyment of it. I'd hate for to be a part of making anyone feel that way about film photography.
If you're serious
That's the key phrase, though.
So, while you don't appreciate their scoffing or condemnation or unequivocal demands, you're doing the same thing by saying their attitude is bad.
So if I follow the points made here, one of the main reasons to shoot analog film rather than digital is the hope of recording abnormalities and defects in the name of creativity.
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