I’ve been lusting after a medium format camera lately. I’ve gotten back into the darkroom and “traditional” photography due to my class this semester, so the enjoyment of film and processing your own film and pictures has slowly been coming back.
Mind you, I can’t see becoming someone who shuns digital photography. It’s just advanced too much to dismiss it like some people who want to hold onto what they’ve always known.
Film does have its’ own unique qualities. It’s not as easy to master as digital photography is. As it’s taught less and less, that will only become more true. It takes more effort and determination to create a beautiful print.
It’s also slower. That might be seen as a drawback – and sometimes it is. But I’ve appreciated being made to slow down and really craft the limited exposures I have on each roll of film. I don’t zip off a million captures – I have to think through my aperture, time, composition, focus, and so forth before I snap the shutter. I’m starting to fully appreciate the crafting of an entire frame.
It’s also slower in the darkroom. I can’t say that has any benefit. But it is also more solitary and focused. Processing images on the computer can be distracting. There’s also a world of options to fiddle around with in a program like Photoshop. In the darkroom, for the most part, it’s just you, the enlarger, a few filters, and your chemicals. With that focus comes more time to really examine your image and make sure every part is just how you want it. It’s hard to explain, but it’s also very soothing. It’s nice to have a process that is removed from the overload of modern society.
I tried to explain why it’s nice to keep film photography around along with digital by likening it to painting, or sculpting, or any other other art. Most artists don’t use just one tool – one brush, one material, one color, or so forth. Artists generally like to explore tools and techniques and combine them in an endless array of possibilities, searching for the one that will best convey whatever message is struggling to wrest itself from inside the artist. I liken traditional photography to that – I can’t say that a digital camera will ever be replaced as my camera of choice. But, I am really enjoying having the film camera back into my lineup. I think it sat on a shelf for 4 or 5 years, at least, before this semester.
However, my trusty 35mm camera has not been friendly to my eyes. It’s quite difficult to focus – especially in low-light situations that I’ve been favoring. I guess age is starting to show – but I’ve always had pretty bad uncorrected eyesight. I also long for the greater detail and richness that a superior camera can bring to the traditional world. The medium format camera was always this expensive dream of mine – but now prices have finally fallen to a reasonable area (thanks to digital). So I’d love to have one to finish out my work this semester.
But as to the image included in this blog – this was from a recent shoot – an assignment of 5 prints that shows my photography being influenced by another artist. I’m really fond of this print. Out of 3 rolls of film (100+ exposures) this is one of the FEW shots I really like. Great tones, lines, mood, and so forth. I think I composed this very well and have a lovely range of grays.
Bonus points to anyone (except my model) who can figure out what I’m claiming influence to.
Laurie Said:
on March 10, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I like this shot too. I agree – the mood is consistent here.
And thank you for explaining more about why you might use a film camera.