In
my last blog, I talked about how certain people prefer listening to
vinyl records over digital music. I started to think the same would
be true in photography, in the use of film versus digital photos.
Apparently so have numerous other people, evident by the number of
articles and blogs already covering the topic. So what it comes down
to for me is a matter of preference; and this time I tend to prefer
digital photographs for several reasons:
The
first reason is longevity; this could be the same reason why some
people prefer film as well. A digital photograph will look the same
in 10 years as the day you took it. Film, on the other hand, will
succumb to the elements and show signs of age over time, possibly
even completely deteriorating. However; the grainy aging of film is a
characteristic that some photographers seem to desire. Again, this
effect is something that could be easily duplicated on a digital
photo too.
This
brings me to the second reason, of why I prefer digital photographs
over film. Editing, there are far too many programs and apps out
there that allow you to easily edit a digital image. The
possibilities are endless when it comes to fixing a photo or
manipulating it to an extreme. These programs can be seen as methods
that detract from the “realness” of the image. This is a point I
do agree with, mainly because of the extremes people have gone to
improve their images. In some ways the skill has changed from an
ability to capture a priceless image to the ability to create a
priceless image, through software, from a standard image. I still
believe these programs are still invaluable enhancement tools, when
used for the right reasons.
The last reason I personally
prefer digital photos over film is: Time. The time it takes to
capture a moment and be able to share that moment with whomever I
want to, makes digital images that much more valuable. Photos are
instantly available, without even having to shake anything in the
air.
-Chris
Moses, GCSC Student
Our world is really a digital world now. People want and some need instant access to everything. I like how you brought the digital film into that equation.
ReplyDeleteTrevor Petersma
I think the reason why people still prefer film over digital is because it's a timeless skill that requires extensive knowledge of photo chem manipulation. It's sort of like a sculpture that's either handmade or one that's manufactured. The handmade one of course has more value to it than the manufactured one because of the human element of skill and talent.
ReplyDeletePeople want to maintain the integrity of the skill that others before them and before our time now have spent hours in studying and perfecting. And, believe it or not, photographers that still use film get paid more for their captures than those done digitally. I know this as I spoke with a woman that's been doing photography for years with film. She refuses to go digital cause it was an artform that her grandfather passed down to her.
So, perhaps why some choose film over digital is for other unknown reasons like it carries a sentimental value that can't be replaced.
V.Nguyen - GCSC Media
I prefer digital over film but I think it may just be because that is what I have grown up with is digital. My grandparents and parents on the other hand would prefer film because that is all they know. They say that film is easier to use and they like the old time cameras that would print the picture off like within a minute or two of taking the picture ( the pictures with the white borders and square) I do not really care for those because it is not up to date and the pictures look better when taken with a digital camera or my smartphone.
ReplyDelete-Lindsey Ivey
I really enjoyed your post. I like the idea of digital everything. I own a digital camera and obviously a cd player because I mean come on it's 2014. But I looooooove my record player and polaroid camera because of the oldness that they both capture. Great job!
ReplyDelete