- Where Do We Go Now?
Let’s look at some of the reasons why there is hope for film in the future.
- Film photography is a mature technology
Photographers can learn, know and count on the medium. Not too many surprises around the corner here. The materials, film, chemistry, printing papers, are refined and predictable in their basic behaviors, compatible across different brands, and widely available (for now anyway.) Once understood, these resources are capable of beautiful images and rewarding creative experiences. There is a satisfying hands-on aspect to this kind of image making. Plus, you don’t need to carry much equipment into the field to take quality pictures.
- Film images can have a magical quality.
Many photographers prefer the look of film, and even film grain. Collectors, galleries, and museums are still currently much more comfortable with silver prints (the most common type of B/W print) made from film, both for their aesthetic qualities, and their archival characteristics. And then, there is the often stunning richness of black and white prints, not really reachable by other media (at least so far).
- You don’t need to keep up with the latest digital camera, memory card format, image editing software version, or inkjet printer inkset to make beautiful black and white prints with state of the art quality.
The best that the film and silver based medium can offer is available now. You don’t need the next model or format.
- You won’t spend your life away staring into glaring computer monitors.
“What? It’s been 2 hours since I last said I’d be only a few minutes?”
- The hands-on darkroom experience is unique and visceral.
Nothing compares to the magic of a B+W print coming up in the developing tray.
- Film equipment on the used market is priced low, to sell.
There’s never been a better time to pick up bargains in quality film cameras and in dark room equipment. (I know I wrote dark room as 2 words. You’d be surprised how many online searches spell it that way)
The market is definitely moving away from silver-based film and darkroom equipment.
On the other hand, film photography and darkroom classes are still filling up at many high schools and colleges, such as the colleges where I teach.
So, where does this all leave use users of film?
At the risk of making a prediction (in public on line no less!) I’ll make a stab at it.
- Film photography will become what it was in its infancy.
That is: an enthusiasts’ medium, something that people pursue for their own reasons.
- Small manufacturers will step into the huge hole left by Kodak and other major players.
- Film lovers will continue to support and buy these products.
- We will have quality black + white photographic art into the foreseeable future.
That’s my take on it, and I’m sticking with this fantasy. There. Done.
Long Live Film!
Keep Shooting!
Ken Storch
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thanks for reminding me of what I love about film.
maybe you should do a story about types of film, and the best places to buy them.
thanks for reminding me of what I love about film.
Great, that’s the best ‘take-away’ from this post.
maybe you should do a story about types of film, and the best places to buy them.
I might just do that.
Ken
I like the topic of film photography.
Looking forward to another insightful posting soon!!!!!!!!!!!
Capellina, I thought you were a strictly digital kind of gal. Nice to know you shoot both ways {;> )
Keep your film advancing.
Ken
I gotta hope that this is true. I want film to continue.
I like digital photography too, but making black and white prints is too much fun. I want to see film companies and dark room equipment made well into the future.
silvio
If film manufacturers continue to produce refined film products, and black & white print paper manufacturers stick with it, I think we’ll have a future for the darkroom, and silver based imaging as a specialist’s alternative to digital photography. They look and feel different, and I think that the general public recognizes this as well.
Ken Storch
man i hope your right about this.
I shot a whole bunch of film this week.
See, film does have a future;>)
I have rolls and rolls of film in my refrigerator. Should I use it or move?????????????
Shooner3team,
I hope so too. Keep shootin’
Ken
fuzzi,
way to go, and uh, do, shoot.
Long live film photography!
Ken Storch
I have rolls and rolls of film in my refrigerator. Should I use it or move?????????????
Hah, Martha,
Use it, or lose it, or yard sale it, or donate it.
Ken
Dear sir,
I would like to share my recent experience with film cameras, as I live in South India, at Kerala, a very humid place,frequent problem of fungus on the lens causing much irritation to my photographic gear,I thought of disposing some of my SLR’s I purchased by shelling out a fortune, and to my utter dismay most of the dealers refused to accept an analogue film camera and they were quoting paltry price for the very costly equipment and feeling disgusted I came back dumping all the equipment on the attic.I was told that the film cameras are outdated and you cannot find people using it anymore, and most of the dealers have shifted their business to digital, which I find not my cup of tea.The digital explosion has really killed the creativity from photgraphy, and it is only manipulations with software, and not the actual scene which is captured by the analogue film camera with accuracy and originality.
Hello Ajay,
I share sympathy with you regarding the drop in value of film based equipment, but I can assure you that there are people who still love film.
I teach traditional photography as well as digital and our classes keep filling.
I even had a student the other night remark how wonderful the tones were in black+white film compared to digital.
The aesthetic of the images, and the processes are obviously different.
As to the fungus problem, perhaps using a desiccant, or even dried rice to keep the equipment dry might help?
Thanks for your comments.
Cheers.
Film users should go to photo.net where the film/digital divide is discussed frequently. I wish film would “perservere” more in these “digital times” but Kodak/Fuji/Agfa are bowing to politics rather than photography. Very sad.
Hi DF,
I’m not sure what you mean by “bowing to politics rather than photography”.
I think the companies are just following the markets, and money, rather than politics per se.
Another good site for film users is:
Analog Film Users Group
http://www.apug.org/forums/home.php
[...] this kind of print material which speaks well of the future of the wet darkroom in art uses, and the future of film in the digital era as [...]