Digital and film cameras
Since its invention in the eighteenth century, and coming of age in the seventeenth century, the camera has been the door to the inner soul. Superstars such as Ansel Adams, Brassal, Alvin Langdon Coburn, William Eggleston and Jerry Uelsmann ushered in all types of specialties that aided in the growth of the medium. As in any field, change is constant. We are currently in a continuing explosion of technology, leaving many to ponder what the difference is between film and digital cameras, and how does it affect each person’s photography. There are many arguments pro and con for either side of the fence. What can be done with either technique, and what is best for me?
Traditional photography has always lent itself to manipulation. When using film, alterations are produced in-camera by use of lighting and shadows, ISO of the film, shutter speed and aperture. At the point of processing, other manipulations can be done by changing the exposure time of film to paper, light exposure to paper, and you can even combine different photographs together to produce a multi-neg photograph such as something Jerry Uelsmann may produce. These techniques have a smaller learning curve, so that with some practice you can perfect the craft.
Manipulation can also be done digitally, and this is largely one of the key points. In digital exposures alterations can be done at the time the photograph is taken by adding frames to it, changing the color, etc. On the computer screen, in a program such as Photoshop, the user has the ability to change backgrounds, colors, delete wrinkles and smile lines, fix shirt bulges, etc. The problem with using Photoshop and comparable software is that in order to produce the perfect image, you need to be somewhat of an expert at computer manipulation which can take years to master. You can have a lot of fun, but if you are only slightly okay at the craft, then you will only have a slightly okay picture.
Prints that are made from traditional negatives can be enlarged for wall portraits without much work of loss of detail. They can be blown up to sizes 30×34 inches and the portrait or image will be just as clear as a wallet-sized picture. Traditional photography lends itself to high-resolution images each time they are taken. Digital photography, on the other hand, can have a tendency to blow out, or pixelate, when the images become too large from a smaller resolution image.
Digital cameras come in different sized Megapixel resolutions, with the ability to do “low, medium, high/best, and better” dpi images. The lower the resolution, the bigger the dot, the less likely it will become a high quality 30×34 print. The plus is, you can manipulate the ISO and dpi on an image-to-image basis. This allows for the user to be able to complete a lot of different images in one batch, as you go. You will need to worry about white balance, as well, when using a digital camera. You need to be aware of computers, screen resolutions, screen manipulations, camera settings, lighting and posing to perfect the craft.
So, the bottom line can be stated that in the long run, you can do the same thing with traditional cameras and negative film processing than you can with digital images. Pictures and portraits from film can last a lifetime and be produced at large sizes without a problem, while digital will fade often and need to be reprinted often. Digital images, when everything is optimum for settings, can lend to absolute beauty. While you have great control over film, you have more creative choices with digital photography. Either way; time, skill and patience will be the key to the perfect image.