Yesterday, I wrote about a photographer who uses (or at least seems to me to use) film. What is it about film that appeals to some of us so much?
Well, the more I learn about digital picture-making, the more I think that it’s the realm of control freaks. We can manage everything to the finest detail, retrospectively changing colour and everything else. Film, by way of contrast, requires some good decision-making upfront, with far more limited changes after the event. As I have said a few times, it’s like a high wire act without a net, and that gives me a big buzz when it works.
Then there’s the way that film has a non-linear response to light: this softens the extremes and gives a much gentler treatment to skin, in particular.
And it’s like gourmet food: so much of the process is about patience and waiting, and the rewards are somehow higher because of it.
Then there’s the feel of the cameras: this doesn’t apply to every camera, but the best (not necessarily the most expensive) are a tactile delight. There’s a silkiness to a metal manual focus mount that is superior to the most accomplished fly-by-wire electronic lens. I’ll probably be writing about camera ‘feel’ before long…
Anyway, it’s Film Friday, so please post an old-school picture. Scan a negative or slide, or maybe get out that old camera and see if the battery still works.
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) from the early sixties, one of whom became my wife, no idea what film or camera sadly....