Packs Film
I've been called a dinosaur. It happened in a Photography workshop a couple of years ago, when the instructor asked for a show of hands of those who still use film. Actually, I was one of two dinosaurs that are labeled. Not a promising relationship for a class of about 20 people.
Not surprising that professionals (such as our seminar leader) have been largely abandoned film, given the breakneck speed at which improvements in the resolution of the digital camera and color accuracy are occurring. Gone are the days of carrying packets of Polaroid film and camera to verify the back exposure and lighting. Now, just check the LCD screen digital camera and its histogram, and make adjustments instantly.
An omen that the house was beaten recently when I took my 120 films format camera to my favorite store, my old acquaintance reliable local installation of the film processing. They informed me that her machine was acting and that probably would not replace it if it failed. If I had to keep doing my big, beautiful transparencies, probably going to have to mail my film to another town for processing. Until, that is, their machines also croak.
You can not be blame. They make their money selling digital cameras to a multitude of new consumers who before could not have been bothered with movies that are developed.
My disappointment does not stem from the fact that I do not like digital. In fact, largely shot with a digital SLR now, and began to scan my 35mm film, much digital cameras before reaching its current popularity. I also license images online. In other words, I am firmly rooted in the field of photography digital.
I think it's more a matter of nostalgia. Only in recent years I have been can afford the medium format film quality gear, though used and decades old. They are built like tanks and have glass lenses of high quality. Yes – they are heavy and cumbersome, but the image quality is phenomenal. After shooting grainy 35mm slides for decades, was now ready to emulate the work of photographers from the real magazine. I bought a scanner that allows me to explore the largest film format.
So now sell my antiques and scanners, only to replace them with the best and most recent digital SLR? Well, judging by the amount of film used gear is bought and sold online, I'd say – not so fast! Yes, some companies have abandoned the business of providing film and processing chemicals (AGFA), but others such as Ilford venerable in the UK (KODAK giant black and white) and film are picking up the slack. New film are even products on the market! And others, like the freestyle photographic supplies, are doing they can to keep alive the art by providing film, darkroom equipment and film cameras.
When this leads me is I can still use my film crew during the time I'm willing to develop my own film, if necessary. The easiest way by far, the process is in black and white, so when push comes to shove, that's what I'll be shooting. With my scanner, I will be able to convert movies directly to digital without having to worry about printing with an enlarger.
Film is dead or dying? There is no doubt that the workflow of today's professional is predominantly digital. But there is enough film team is still working and in the hands of professionals and amateur enthusiasts who can predict with confidence that the film will be around for a long time.
Gordon Wood is an engineer, writer and stock photographer. His main activity is technical writing, which he conducts through his company, Task Partner (http://taskpartner.ca). He has served in various industries, including microelectronics, anti-submarine warfare equipment development, heavy equipment manufacturing, medical imaging systems, digital projection systems and contract electronic manufacturing. Gordon’s photographic work can also be viewed at http://realworldphoto.com
Packs Film
Packs Film
