Film v Digital - The Debate IS over!

Do you love me because I am beautiful, or am I beautiful because you love me?

An often used expression that covers a multitude of subjects but I would like to put forward an opinion about the 'Digital versus Film' debate in photography.

I was a professional photographer.

I worked with film for many years, from Hasselbrad to Mamiya, large format to 35mm film I produced a body of work that earned me an income and reputation that was mostly positive.

And then...........

Along came digital photography.

Now I am not going to argue about the early days of digital, the imagery was adequate for pre-shoot and generic photography but for professional hi-end work I still ran back to the tried and tested methodology of film cameras.

But there was a change afoot.

The public embraced digital.

In all honesty, the subject of Film v Digital is an amateur argument at source.

I am not going to provide a for and against list about cost and other mundane issues, go on the internet for that.

Amateurs shoot film, in as much as 35mm film or digital output is what they know.

Professionals don't tend to talk in 'film' terms, they talk in E4, 35mm, 120 etc.....some are negative sizes, some are processing methods but they choose based on the subject and shoot needs.

Now when you look at this side of the argument, there is a place for both. Lage format advertising work is still not as good in a digital format as in film but then again this is a specialist area and is not for general consumption.

I am talking about everyday use for individuals, children, families, pros in the 35mm film scene and most advertising agencies and stock photo organisations.

Add to the above newspapers and magazines and tell me how many now ask for a film contact sheet and meeting for image choice?

But the argument is not just about 'film' anymore, it is about manipulation.

The options available to manipulate, enhance or 'fix' images that comes from digital images is phenomenal and makes decent photographers out of the masses.

Yes, you can scan a film print and work on it or nearer the source a good 'hand printer' can manipulate an image whilst in processing but for the masses, both amateur and professional, this is time consuming and often hit and miss.

The reputation of film has definitely taken a hit since digital arrived and 'the camera never lies' has been buried and the eulogy read. But in truth, images have been manipulated forever, take dodging and burning as basic examples and fill in the gaps yourself.

Film photography is dead!

There you are. Definitive enough?

But in fact it is not strictly true.

People still listen to vinyl records.

People like vintage clothes.

But it is hidden away in the side streets. You know the ones, where you visit when you want to reminisce or are looking for a specialist. And the office will be dated and a little musty. We love it when we visit but you don't go back often if a t all.

Film is hanging on in large advertising banners, full format advertising and certain landscapes. it is the 'cool' hideaway of students and photographers that need to look 'retro' or  like what they want and are comfortable with it.

Press, public and families now use digital and I do admit that colour can be down in certain depth of field shooting but Photoshop exists. It is still better than carrying 2 or 3 cameras with different film in for changing light situations.

And I don my hat to those with the argument that they want to be photographers and not computer technicians but really?? Poor argument to a genre that has received it's marching orders.

Digital film is dominant, it is accessible and it is the power behind the news, social media and the celebrity culture that now dominates our society.

Is this good?

Not my area. I am just telling you that I love photography and if I like it I don't mind what format you shot it in.

I am pointing out that there are people who like tape cassettes but digital music downloads are so much better.

Film is great but digital is much better.

Digital, I love it because it is beautiful, and film is only beautiful because I choose to love it!

Article first published in L'Artiste Magazine September 2011