Dec 162006
Let’s face it. Digital is efficient and cost effective. Period. Film, on the other hand, can be inconvenient, costly, and somewhat inefficient, especially if you have a deadline; Digital can be made to mimic film, especially black and white, but it all ends up the same, unless you are really good with Photoshop.
I find myself sometimes thinking about the ‘good old days’. I do, sometimes, miss the darkroom, but have no desire, whatsoever, to go back to developing my own film. I would, however, like to have an inexpensive rangefinder and shoot some black and white every once in a while. It’d have to be inexpensive because I know that I wouldn’t use it all that much, but it would still be nice to shoot every once in a while.
I remember the excitement of coming home after shooting about 4 rolls of Tri-X, placing them in the daylight-safe tanks and processing them 2 at a time, hanging them to dry, cutting them apart, selecting some, printing them on the enlarger, and looking at the final result. Thrilling!
Now, it’s simply hook it up to the computer, download them, process, and print. Not nearly as fun. There’s no ‘drama’ and no great expectations of what might come out of the developer.
Ah! The good old days! Note: This shot was taken by me sometime around 1980 and was shot on Tri-X film with a Minolta XD-11.
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4 Responses to “Nostalgia”
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I suppose that I have encountered some excitement in the development of a raw file. Quite often that raw file is nothing like what you want that finished image to look like – and layer after layer – the final image starts to emerge.
But probably just not the same as working in a darkroom – though I don’t think anyone wants those chemicals back!
That is a great shot, Paul.
Listen…it’s calling you. Oh, so many b&w films to shoot again.
)
I got my rangefinder for less than $50 on e-bay. Maybe less than $30…I don’t remember. The batteries for it finally arrived a few days ago, and I hope to get to shooting with it soon. When you mentioned your upcoming course, I was going to offer to loan the camera to you for the course, if you’d like. The offer still stands, but I do hope you decide to go purchase a rangefinder. As much as you’re out on the streets at lunch time, it would do you well. You could shoot with it one day a week, maybe finish a roll of film or two a month. I know a great lab…
I heard it again….calling.
To thine ownself be true.
I adore this shot! Beautiful. I just bought a cheap rangefinder the other day on ebay. $42.00. I thought I would give it a whirl. I love my digital slr and wouldn’t want to live without it, but I have to admit there is just something about film that I love.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. I know what you mean by not really being into it this year. So many people I know feel the same way. We are having a nice quiet one this year and I have to admit it has been very pleasant so far:).