I've had film cameras before, in fact I've had many over the years, but I always used the automatic settings. As much as I loved photography, I didn't have the first clue about manual exposures and what all those f-stops and what-nots were!! I never thought I'd ever be a photographer, it just never occurred to me as I was heading into my career with the ambulance service, so I didn't worry about manual exposures and I didn't even think to worry!
Well, time changes many things and time changed the direction I was travelling in and I really, really wanted to know how to take a photograph. I wanted to learn how to actually do it myself and not rely on the camera to do it for me. Even then it wasn't about being a photographer. I was still a paramedic and I didn't think about doing anything else, much less breaking away and working for myself! But I did need a challenge.
I needed to set my head to something... time to find out about what all those numbers and symbols and funny phrases were all about!! I could tell you what ventricular hypertrophy was, I could bore the backside off anyone with all there is to know about hypertension, but what the heck was hyperfocal distance? That was something I wanted to know... as well as everything else I could find out about taking a photograph.
So, the challenge was to be able to pick up a camera, assess a scene or a situation and be able to choose the correct settings myself, to take the photograph myself. I wanted to be able to pick up a film camera and be able to keep all the images off the roll... or at least 90% of them!
Setting myself to the task has been incredible. I've learned so much and come such a long way on my journey and I've still only just scratched the surface!! I'm having the time of my life and those night shifts and that dreadful uniform are nothing but a distant memory! Blimey!!
Now is the time to step forward again though. Now is the time to go back to film... not completely, I'm still very much digital, but now I've started again with film. I've just bought a second-hand Minolta Dynax system, light and easy, bright and, well, quite frightening actually!
The pint is indeed a pint of 'Purity', but I also see my new challenge as a step towards purity. It's a test, a real test to see how much I've learned and how far I've actually come. It's taking away the safety of the LCD; the prints will be a representation of my technical decisions and ability... it's pure photography to me!
I'm not running digital photography down, there's still huge challenges ahead for me there and I will carry on with it for sure... the photos here are taken on my mobile phone and that in itself is still a challenge! I'm not the least bit snobby about cameras or kit, just fascinated and interested and still actually somewhat frightened!
After years with digital systems and all those years before that on auto settings, I was absolutely terrified when I picked up the camera last weekend and went to buy my first roll of film.
I was in Warwick on Saturday last with an old pal from university who, rather fortuitously, happens to be a very good photographer and was really supportive as I took my first faltering steps and my first few frames! As the day went on I started to relax a bit more with it all and really started to enjoy the challenge. All I've got to do now is wait for the film to be developed! Yikes!!
Cheers John, it was a smashing day out and I'm really glad you were there to see me through it!
I look forward to seeing you again sometime soon... but I'll probably leave the oars to you next time, lol ;-))
Rebecca, X
FILM!!!! It'll never catch on hun :-))))
ReplyDeletePersonally, having been brought up on the fundamental principles of photography, and having a good knowledge of silver halide and colour couplers to hyper-focal distance and the zone system, I'd never ever want to return to film, shackled by problems and lack of control.
Digital has not only proved itself to be infinitely more detailed yet smoother in tone than film, but it can also be colour corrected far more accurately than film ever could. I have never been happier than now, being in the driving seat and totally in control of the final image.
So don't waste too much time - get back to learning how to use the DSLR on manual, using exposure knowledge and so on. Don't forget the controls of a manual SLR are the same as a DSLR. The principles of exposure, focus, depth of field and even the zone system apply to both.
Best wishes
Glyn
X
I agree with you 100% Glyn, I am very much still in love with digital and will never stop using it... but I like a challenge and this is another way for me to push myself forward at the same time as keeping on learning with the digital. I am a total geek and I'm having so much fun!! :-D
ReplyDeleteThe foray into film is an experiment and a learning tool and also because I feel like I've missed out on a big part of my education!!! I hate thinking I've missed out on anything, so I'm having a whale of a time and will keep on all the time I'm still having fun. But rest assured, I'm still head over heels in love with digital too!!! Cheers Glyn ;-))
Rebecca, X
As your friend said principals are the same on both but to me its the thrill of not really knowing till its's processed.
ReplyDeleteI too gone back to film but to explot the light leaks and unpredictiblity of old cameras. Got a couple of new ones (new to me)one is a Holga toy camera and the other a twin reflex camera an old russian one. Also dug out my old pentax 110 camera and my zenthit E. taken one roll of each but unfortunatly cant afford the processing. Car needed replacing and other stuff cropped up. But cant wait to check them out.
Best of luck on the film foray Rebecca, I'll stick with digital - I like to check my image before I move on. Though I recently shot a roll of film I do hate the way they printed the image. Like Photo Glyn I prefer to retain full control including printing. Have fun with your photographer and please return to the PPI site
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