Sep 05 2007
Film versus Digital
Digital photography has been alive since the mid-1970s, with the first megapixel sensor emerging in 1986, developed by Kodak. At a consumer level, 1994 saw the emergence of the first digital camera that sent images onto a computer via a serial cable. The rest, as they say, is history.
Not surprisingly, the film versus digital debate emerged not long after this, and is still being argued today – quite passionately in some circles.
Many people have rather definite views on which medium they prefer, but ultimately, from a practical perspective, it depends on what kind of photography you are doing.
For a photojournalist, digital has become mandatory, as publications require images immediately. Wedding photographers are often encouraged by their clients to use digital, as they would like their images available within a shorter timeframe.
Holiday makers like digital, as it means you can take as many photos as will fit on the memory cards, only printing those that ‘make the grade’, thus saving on developing costs.
In terms of the attributes and challenges between digital and film:
Digital over Film
Ø Immediacy – the fundamental advantage of digital. The image is there within seconds and you can assess the quality, and whether or not another photo needs to be taken.
Ø Size – with a film canister being replaced by a tiny memory card, digital cameras are more compact and portable.
Ø Cost – beyond the initial cost of the camera, the ongoing cost of film is eliminated, replaced by a reusable memory card, rechargeable battery, printing only the best photos.
Ø Flexibility – the digital file can be manipulated in photo editing software (i.e. Photoshop), and printed on a home printer, without the need for a film scanner.
Ø Convenience – less physical space is used to store the images, and the downloading/printing can be done from the comfort of your own home.
Ø Creativity – you can experiment with the cameras settings and functionality to capture a unique image, without the expense of printing out every experiment.
Film over Digital
Ø Power consumption – battery life in a digital camera is much less than in a film camera. Particularly in the old mechanical film cameras, you would almost never have to change the battery.
Ø Quality – especially in extreme situations where there are major light contrasts (i.e. shade in the foreground and bright light in the background), the quality is greatly reduced. Pixelation is also a problem, where the image is grainy and just doesn’t really capture the ‘life’ and colour of the image.
Ø Storage longevity – there is much concern over how reliable permanent electronic storage of digital images is. Will a CD/DVD corrupt over time, taking all of your wonderful memories with it? Quite possibly. There is also no guarantee that external hard drives are any more certain. Tangible film however, will last a few generations and potentially longer, if stored in the right environment.
Learning photographic principles on a film camera can greatly enhance your ability if/when you move to digital. The reverse can also be true, but it is less likely. With film, you need to really think about the photo you are taking, whereas with digital it is easier to fall back on trial and error.
Once again, there is no conclusive winner in this debate, but it is clear that digital photography is here to stay. Hopefully film will continue to exist, as it has become a true art form.
