Transition from the Analog to Digital age
So, I'm new to photography, especially in terms of its history. Recently, I was given my late grandfather's old analog cameras to use (apparently it runs in the family).
This got me thinking...as someone who grew up in the age of digital photography, I'd like to ask a few questions of the people who have been photographers for many years. What was it like transitioning from the world of analog photography to the world of digital?
Do you still enjoy/prefer analog photography?
What was the transition between the two methods like?
If you work as a photographer professionally, how did it affect your work and the industry at large?
Thanks in advance!!
Marcin N Woźniak
First - sorry for my english :)
I started my adventure with photography back in 1982 when my father give me my first camera - analogue ofcourse :)
With analogue made photos I have two exhibitions of black and white street portraitns (in 1998 an 2000).
And then come the digital era. It was easier, faster, cheaper... For me, at first, it killed all the creativity in making photos. All the joy and fun. I earn money thanks to it making hundrets(!) of photos, but in terms of learning, skill, creativity it was a big step back.
In 2014 I almost stop making photos at all. It was boring, no fun at all. And it was time when my depression hit me very hard.
And then I found my old analogue camera. And all the love to the Photography returned. I shoot few rolls of film, spend many hours in darkroom and discover fun and joy once more.
Then, my friend and therapist suggested: buy cheap digital camera or a good smartphone. Stop thinking about equipement, just take photos.
It was great idea. I bought LG G4 and take it to the vacation as a one and only camera and maked few good shoots.
Almost year ago I startet tookapic project, and forover 3 months I take daily photos only my phone. Then it broke, and I broke almost
simultaneously as my depression strikes back. In few weeks the phone was fixed, but I was not. It takes another 2 or 3 months for me to fights daemons in my head, and again it was analogue photography that helped.
Then I bought another digital camera. My little mirrorless fuji with pancake lens. I can put it in my pocket and take photos whenever I want. And with all the small things in it that reminds me analogue era (dials, film effects simulations etc) it is greatest camera I ever had and last 5 months brings me more joy from photography than last 10 years, and I even stop taking my antidepression drugs :)
So. Digital era is great. It brings many oportunities, but it has some dangers too. We all must remember our analogue roots when we take all that digital era gives us.
czareker thanks for sharing your story :)
jazzie
If you have the opportunity to work in a darkroom, do so! It is magic to see the pictures appear, and from the chemicals you get these horribly smelly hands that remind you at least one day longer of having done something very analogue and very cool. I love it!
The other great thing about analogue photography is that it teaches you to take pictures carefully - you pay for every pic so you won't want to take 20 pics of the same subject only to see in the darkroom / on your computer screen that none of them is perfect.
Top Contributors
People who started the most discussions on Talks.
-
138 -
25
-
25
-
21
-
20
-
20
-
18
-
17
-
16
-
16
Unanswered Talks
Discussions with no comments. Be first to post a comment.
-
Paulina M posted
-
Jan Buchta posted
-
MorryJooh Photography posted
-
tigg posted
-
Paweł Kadysz posted
Gogi Golzman first of all !! don't forget your roots =]
yes we are in 2016 (almost 2017)
yes the digital world getting better and better
At work . it will be much much more comfortable to use the digital equipment. but the roots are roots
i work with digital equipment but i also have an analog camera & i use it for myself. it teaches you so much !!!
if you want to work properly and get fast results for your clients than digital equipment is a must!
but leave the analog stuff for your own time =]
good luck