Film vs Digital or Fender vs Gibson or Ford vs GM?

2011-08-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

Film vs Digital which is better? As a Photographer i'm asked this all the time, to which my answer is, use what works for you! Personally, i'm still a full time member of the, "more film please" group, and I don't see myself changing anytime soon. I do own a digital P&S that I use and enjoy. But it's mostly for taking photos of the flies that I tie to post on my website and on the web. In addition to photography i'm a Fly Fisher and own http://www.riverhunterflies.com For those times, having the digital camera is the right tool for the job.

What does Fender vs Gibson or Ford vs GM have to do with this? For many years now, conversations, even angry arguments have occurred over which Guitar, or Automobile Maker was better. Not to mention hundreds if not thousands of others comparisons. Sound familiar? I have used and still own guitars from both companies along with guitars from others too! As for automobiles I have owned at least one model from all three of the "Big Three" companies. They all did for me what I had hoped they would do. Were some better than others? Without a doubt. The best part of it is, it allows us to have options. By having these options it allows us to have the artistic freedoms that we wouldn't otherwise enjoy. For that I am grateful!

The next time you find yourself conversing about the merits of something, look at it from all angles and possibilities before declaring your feelings to others. You just might see things differently if you do!

Film Rebel?

2011-05-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

       My introduction to photography came as a child. My father had been stationed in Germany at the end of the Korean War, and through the use of his Kodak Retina IIc, he brought back boxes and more boxes of Kodachrome Slides. During family gatherings, he would bring them out, projecting them onto a screen for all to see. I thought it was cool, and couldn't wait to tell everyone in school, how I saw the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, or Buckingham Palace! Although my father is gone now, we still have his memories in those boxes of slides. I still have, and occasionally use his Kodak Retina IIc, and when I do, it feels like a part of him is still with me. Try doing that with a computer/hard drive!
       When I was a junior in high school during the mid 70's, my cousin started using his fathers camera and dark room. He also signed on to be a photographer for our class year book. At the time I didn't have a camera of my own, and my father was smart enough not to lend me his, so I just tagged along with my cousin, soaking in what I could learn. It would be another five years until I received my first camera. My father worked in Boston at the time, and purchased a used Pentax ME for me for Christmas. To this day, I still think it was one of the best presents I ever received. It came as a total surprise. I loved that camera, and it went with me almost everywhere. It was a time when film was still plentiful and cheap. I would spend most of my money on Kodachrome and Kodak Mailers during this time. I even started to sell framed prints of my work! So now some confidence and extra $$$ I purchased a new Nikon F3hp, and kept at it. At this point, I moved to a lovely sea coast comunity and continued to make progress as a photographer.
       Progress came to a screaching halt when I thought I had met the love of my life. I think everyone has been in that situation at least one time in their lives. So photography took a back seat, and I spent my time and money elsewhere. Over the next 10 years or so I started up and stopped at least a half dozen times. Sound familiar? Then I ended up loosing all of my camera gear, slides and negitives in a flood. In 2002 I decided to start up again and purchased a new Nikon FM2n, which I still own and use to this day. But it was also a time when digital photography was just starting to take off. Not having the desire, or the financial funding needed, I stuck with film. I know from a business stand point it wasn't a smart decission. Thats why I also own River Hunter Flies. From the pure enjoyment I get from using film, and my lack of enjoyment from using the computer to edit my images, I know I made the right choice for "Me". I have nothing against digital, in a lot a ways it's awesome. It's just not for me. I added the Nikon F100 with MB-15 a couple of years ago. I plan to add a MF or LF System to my collection in the coming year. I'm also putting together my own darkroom.
       I realize that film is a nitch medium, but theres still a strong number of dedicated users. I know there will always be the nay sayers who put film down, and if thats how they feel, I'm not going to change their mind. I do know, there will be film, for many years to come, and I intend on using it. I hope to share with other film users, some of what I have learned over the years, and I hope that anyone who has something of value to add, will feel comfortable sharing it with us.

To all of you "Film Rebels" who sherrish film like me,

Welcome

Stephen Prunier - Photographer - Film Rebel

Film vs Digital or Fender vs Gibson or Ford vs GM?

Film Rebel?