…and I spent most of it inside. I got out on the deck for a few meetings, but for the most part I was chained to my computer and telephone. At least the people I talk to are nice.
Libellula luctuosa, Ilford Delta 400 shot at 320 ASA, Mamiya C330, 135 mm lens
But before I went off to the old salt mine this morning, on a lark I pulled out my medium format film camera, a Mamiya C330 Professional. Something about shooting all digital is making me feel, well, dishonest. It’s easy, you shoot a few hundred pictures and one of them is bound to be okay. With 120 film, you get 12 chances. Bracket your shots an f-stop each way and you get 4.
So I am going to make myself an honest photographer again. I am going to shoot film. Develop it. Print it. Screw it up and print it again. And again. Tone it. Screw it up. Tone it again. Then I’m going to be happy about creating something the hard way.
I almost sold my old stuff on ebay. Wife 1.1 wisely talked me out of it. That is why I married her, and that is why there will never be a Wife 2.0. Besides, I’d get 3oo bucks for the lot, and I could never replace it. The body is clean and has new light seals. The lenses are clear and have accurate shutter speeds (except when it’s really cold and I’m shooting 1/15th of a second or slower). My light meter is a good one, nothing fancy, nothing digital, just an old dial style that has a great, accurate sensor with no memory and accurate readings every time.
It has been said that if you want to make a change in your life, make a public announcement so you can’t back out.
Wisconsin River Sunrise, Ilford Delta 400 shot at 320 ASA, Mamiya C330, 65mm lens.
I am shooting 120 film again this summer.
I will also continue to shoot digital because I want to do that too.
But frankly, I miss the smell of developer.
Respectfully submitted,
Canoelover
“Something about shooting all digital is making me feel, well, dishonest. It’s easy, you shoot a few hundred pictures and one of them is bound to be okay.”
I completely understand were you are coming from Darren, but I have to disagree with the “It’s easy” comment. I rarely pin the shutter down hoping for that 1 photo, unless you are shooting a pouncing coyote or osprey picking up a trout from the water. Digital photography has its place in the photo world as do medium format cameras depending on what your interest is, ie landscapes vs wildlife or adventure sports. We’re all photographers expressing and sharing what we see and enjoy. Yes, digital photography has opened a lot of doors for the point and shoot photographers, technology has made it possible for them to produce some really nice stuff. But there are plenty of us digital photographers that still utilize our knowledge in lighting, camera settings, composition, and lens choice to shoot a few frames with excellent results.
Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
Chris
Thanks for the response, Chris.
All good points, I guess I didn’t articulate my point very clearly. I don’t really edit my posts, they just come out and onto the screen.
And to be completely blunt, I am a hack amateur with no aspirations of being a professional anything approaching taking money for anything I shoot. I just like taking pictures of beautiful things and try to do it in a way that captures the essence of the thing.
Most of the photographers I know use digital now, but the really good ones shot film for years. My beef is with the people who decide they want to be a wedding photographer, buy a couple thousand bucks worth of equipment, and print a business card on the internet.
Yep, most photographers are using digital, supremely talented and successful photographers. I just needed to get away from the “easy way” for my own introspection. I believe in the long run such a step backwards (or sideways or whatever) will make me a better photographer in the long run. Just me, not anyone else.
To be totally crystal clear: in no way did I intend to imply that people using digital were substandard, and that people who use film are superior. That sort of snobbish elitism goes against my very nature (ask anyone who paddles with me).
Respectfully submitted, CL
And to add another supporting comment: Dave Morlock. Another great dude who shoots a lot of digital. But he was great long, long ago. 🙂
Early mornings with lots of coffee always gets me going.
I usually don’t respond to much, but it is probably because I know first hand, photographers who pin the shutter, utilize computer software, and advertise their work while utilizing thousands of dollars of professional equipment and the internet. It has negatively effected the ones with lots of talent, education, and hard work trying to make a honest living. But I admit, digital photography has given me the opportunity to take my abilities and 10 year hobby of shooting slide film to an aspiring digital photographer pursuing a career sharing my adventures and experiences in a artistic manner. It is a battle, but inspires me to keep fighting.
No offense to any of the comments, appreciate the response, and look forward to seeing more of your work. I respect your motives and I am sure I will learn something from your results.
Keep at it!
Chris
My darkroom has become a storage shed. My 4 x 5 view camera has been in my back pack now for two years. I love the process and have done many workshops with some of Ansel Adam’s protogees, but it just doesn’t fit into my life style right now. I thought I was retired, but…
The way I look at it, film (especially medium format) causes you to be more deliberate. It costs more money, it costs more time, and you don’t get to play with it in the computer much to “fix” it. The other big thing is that you don’t get to review your shot and adjust to take another one. You have to trust your light meter and your skills.
Not necessarily harder than digital, just different. Often in a good way.
Long live Ilford Delta 400. Oh, and if you ever decide to sell the Mamiya…put me on the list.
And that’s exactly how I look at it. I’ll bring it on the OWL trip, except with the cold temps the shutters tend to be temperamental. But whatever…it’s only film. And I agree, viva Ilford Delta 400 (shot at 320, though). 🙂