Film Vs. Digital

I suppose I am a bit of a snob when it comes to photography. I think maybe, deep inside, I hold a small inner grudge against digital photography (this is incredibly ironic considering the fact that I just bought a Canon Rebel DSLR three weeks ago and I adore it…). But to straighten things out a bit, I must remind you that my love of photography was fostered in the black and white darkrooms of CalArts.

I read an article on Yahoo about a week ago, which told about how many photographers were switching from film to digital. I have to admit, the contents of this article bugged me. The photography snob in me is screaming at the thought of this. Why didn’t they just START with film, and move to digital? I never considered myself a ‘photographer’ until I had an excellent understanding of the workings of a film camera; knowledge which, for the most part, can easily translate over to a DSLR camera any day.

Ironically, I took this picture with my DSLR.

Here they are, so called “photographers,” forgetting about the roots of an art. I am all for progress, and I love my DSLR, but it just seemed a little wrong to me. You need to delve deep into the past of an art form for you to truly make an impact on its future. I believe that all serious photographers should understand the magic of film cameras. Sure film can be cumbersome, you have to scan your pictures to digitally edit them, you may not have access to a processing facility, and you can’t stick in an SD card and take a limitless amount of pictures, but there is still something magical about a film camera. Not to mention tangible.

Since my switch over to DSLR, it’s been a bit disconcerting to be able to take many pictures without having to wind the film once. I always feel a little melancholy over this, as it feels like I’ve lost just a little bit of something. I don’t think digital photographers can truly appreciate the aroma of a darkroom, or the fury that ensues when you spend three hours working to burn or dodge a specific print. It takes a whole new appreciation and love for an art form when you spend another four hours in the color darkroom, trying to balance your cyans and magentas.

This is the age of instant gratification. People love their DSLR’s because they can take a ton of good pictures with little hassle. I also appreciate the convenience of it, however knowing film techniques makes me appreciate it a lot more.

I do not believe that everyone should love and embrace film photography as the one way to take pictures. I simply believe that film is essential to learn, so you have a good foundation in the basics. A musician becomes a musician when they hear a piece of music, and decide to modify what they hear on their own. A photographer should operate in much the same way. Constantly striving to perfect your craft without forgetting its roots is important in any art.

So instead of “switching back” to film, just try it out. Give it some time and learn it. Love it or hate it, you beloved DSLR would not be around without it.