I got a comment on my other blog article saying that “Nothing against film photography, but I see no reason to shoot analog in 2017.” I felt a bit surprised to see a comment like this, because talk around film usually is very encouraging to keeping the medium alive.
I understand that film may be hard to get, since it is not a mainstream format at the moment. It has made a comeback though, but it is still a niche medium. If you’re not into film, I understand that it can be hard to see reasons to shoot it. I have nothing against these kind of comments, but ironically, I see no reason to post them. There are plenty of film shooters out there, which points strongly to the fact that film has a place in many photographers heart. It is not for everybody though. It’s a marginal medium. But to even suggest that there would be no reason to shoot it, is not fair to say.
My initial reaction to the comment was speak for yourself. To me it’s obvious that there are a million reasons to shoot film, but they are subjective. It’s a personal preference. Some people like the nostalgia and keeping the tradition alive. For some it’s the aesthetics or some characteristic of image quality. Some photographers are into the process of shooting film and the different kind of approach to photography that is encourages you to take. Some people appreciate the longevity of negatives, that can preserve memories longer than digital files most likely ever will. 100 years from now, I don’t think any of my hard drives will not even exist anymore, but my box of negatives may still reside somewhere, in someone’s attic, long after I’m gone.
I’m personally into film, in addition to all mentioned above, because i’m so freaking inspired by the big names of classic street photography and photo journalism, like Henri Cartier-Bresson and all the other giants of photography. That is my idea of photography. I would love the idea of being able to achieve a fraction of their greatness. For me any visual creativity or artistic pursuit is a process and a long journey. I see my self as an artist if I’d have to categorise myself. I’m not a vintage camera collector or documentarist as such — I just want to attempt to make art. Almost any form of visual communication or art form is compelling to me, especially photography and a traditional, classic, timeless approach to it.
Important correction: I changed the imaged featured on this article. The original photograph was actually mis-credited but has now been corrected.
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8 Comments
Jörg Oestreich Photography
Digital photographie in most cases is like using a busline! You only can use the line and the stops somebody build for you. To ad analog photography in your artistic work is like walking over green fields. In most cases digital is enough but sometimes it´s a pleasure to feal the sand or the grass betwenn your toes. For me their are two reasons using film. The first is: you get a final picture in your hand. Their is in most cases no retouching necessary. if you shot a portrait with a orangefilter by example their is no need to clean the face with the photoshop stamp. And this fact is very very importent for the feeling of self-worth of the person I have in front of the camera. You can use the shot and you can say it´s a realistic photo. The second reason is the plane of the film. with nothing you can simulate the visuell effect of a 4×5 inch film or larger. Often I use a pentax 645 with a 2.0 125mm ISCO Ultra MC (Schneider Kreuznach)… it´s a great and very very sharp Planar they built to project 70mm film in special cinemas. (imax). The visuell effect of this combination on the plane of the 120 film is like using a f/1.0 65 mm on FX cameras. The deep of field and the bokeh ist unique and it´s impossible to have this digital at this time.
Paulo Moreira
I am not into film, I use film cameras regurly, I hate that expression! 😀
Seriouly now, as a street photographer (well,more of a wannabe), I also use film because of the cameras, not the mean. My entry into the photography world was made in the late 1980’s, with film, of course. I use both means, there is no superiority on either side. Film doesn’t make me be any closer to HCB or any other of the greats, I have no doubt that had HCB lived today he would have used digital, as the Leica was a technogical feat in the 1930’s.
If I may say, there is no reason to use film, except because I want, except because I like the cameras, nothing else. It’s a fallacy to think you are going to stand out because you use film, the quality of the work is in our head, our soul, not in the camera or means of taking pictures.
Another common fallacy is that with film there is no editing, This as stupid as it gets. HCB’s prints were carefuly made by a world prestigious guy, just like the ones from Salgado. To pretend it’s purer or uncurrupted is pure nonsense.
michel
Two completely different media & (especially) way of creating images. And, if I still use film these days (actually more than digital in my case) is because of look & “personality” of the film itself – especially in B&W. Cameras ? Not the main reason ! Film, Yes !
Pekka
To me it’s too black and white. I’ve shot only few colour film rolls, but for some reason that doesn’t tickle as much.
Carly Hendrickson
I teach students how to use film cameras and how to print in a darkroom. They absolutely love the hands-on process and see a place for this kind of art in the world.
Digital has it’s place, too, but film is just so much fun!
Pekka
Those students are lucky! I would have loved to have such courses back in the day. I used to do darkroom printing too and now I’d really like to get back to it too, since I have a pile of negatives that would need to be printed out in a traditional way.
Andre
For me, the #1 obvious reason to shoot film is not:
– the look (film look ARE gorgeous, anyway)
– trying to be hipster (which is sadly ocasionally true)
– emulating those great masters like HCB, Ansel Adams, Saul Leiter, etc
Mine is medium format. Digital medium formats like Hasselblad H series, Fuji GFX50S, etc etc are simply not affordable for hobbyists like me. And thus: film 🙂
Pekka
I’m looking forward into getting to medium format too. I have a TLR that I purchased few months ago, but still haven’t shot with it. I also borrowed Mamiya RB67 that I’m planning to start shooting as soon as I can.
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