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#AskScottWyden – Film In A Digital World

film-in-a-digital-world
film-in-a-digital-world

Today’s question caught me off guard. Maybe it shouldn’t have, but it did.  If you have considered film then this might be a worthwhile question and answer for you to read.

But before I get into the question, I am curious if you are using film these days. Please leave a comment and let me know.

Make your comment even better by sharing what film camera and even what film you’re using.

Bob asked:

“Do you see any value in the use of film, either 35 or medium format, in a digital world?”

Fantastic question, and a really hot topic these days. It’s funny, film died there for a little. But then people started going back to it and now it’s as strong as ever.

I still have a variety of film cameras and a bunch of film loaded up. But I rarely take the cameras out. I should!

Through travels and meeting other photographers I come across many wedding photographers who are using film for all of their jobs. I also know a bunch of travel photographers using film.

Film still has a sense of nostalgia for people, and photography clients. In some ways film can yield better results than digital through grain and color. However, with advanced Lightroom film replication (like with Mastin Labs), the quality is easily replicated.

  • Do I think film should go away? No
  • Will I ever use film for a paid job? No
  • Why not? My clients want instant. They want digital.

But there are definitely clients out there who want film. I think it’s more in the wedding industry than anywhere else.

So there is value. But the value isn’t there for everyone.

[cliFilm isn’t dead in this crazy fast moving digital world.

Don’t forget to check out Photoshelter’s free guide, Film Photography in a Digital Age.

Film Photography in a Digital Age

By Scott

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382 comments

  1. I’m an amateur, but I stopped shooting film around 2003, when I bought my first compact digital camera (3 megapixel), which I calculated costing me about the same as 20 rolls of 35 MM film and developing.

    My Minolta 35 MM point and shoot just sits gathering dust.

    I’m now on my third digital camera, a crop sensor DSLR.

    I think that so many things in photography depend on the choice of the individual that if someone feels more comfortable with film equipment or wants to use it out of a sense of curiosity or nostalgia, film will not totally disappear.

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