The Value Behind Film Photography
Digital photography is the norm, but why should we still continue using film photography?
Digital photography became popular in the 1990's, and ever since film photography has been practically forgotten by many. Digital photography has become the norm, and if people do not have digital cameras, they probably have their smartphone handy to take photos with. Digital photography is without a doubt much more convenient. No worries about changing the film in the camera or buying more film, and you can easily snap away and capture virtually as many pictures as you want, leaving plenty of room for error and mistakes. However, there is a special value and beauty still to be recognized in film photography that should not be left behind.
The Aura of Photography
There is a whole different aura about film compared to digital photography, as Walter Benjamin would say. This critic and philosopher wrote an essay titled “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction,” in which he criticizes the idea of technology reforming art, and this applies to the dying popularity of film photography over the years.
Although Benjamin had an overall negative view on photography in general, he would have an even worse view on digital photography if he was around to experience it. His idea of aura is described as the essence that a piece of art gives off, and he was concerned that photography threatened the originality and the essence of whatever was being photographed.
He strongly disapproved of reproduction of art, for it takes away from the originality and gives a different essence than the original piece, and one of his main concerns was how photography would do this. Digital photography can provide much more reproduction than film photography, and has the potential to change the aura of the original piece with more opportunities.
One thing Benjamin appreciated about photography was how it could “bring out the aspects of the [thing photographed] that are unattainable to the naked eye yet accessible to the lens,” which is something that holds very true to the uniqueness of film photography as compared to digital photography.
Reasons to Value Film Photography & How People are Keeping it Alive
“There can be no denying that film photography slows down picture-taking. There’s a process to it which comes from a different age. Removing the film from packaging, loading it into the camera and winding it on — film photography is a litany of tactile movements. With no screens to monitor and fudged pictures to delete, a film camera forces you to take pictures without the distraction of reviewing and editing them seconds later.”
-Stephen Dowling, “The Photographers Who Refuse to Abandon Traditional Cameras”
Although digital photography has clearly become the more popular form, film photography is still alive, which is shown by Stephen Dowling from BBC News in his article “The Photographers Who Refuse to Abandon Traditional Cameras.”
Dowling discusses how there has been a recent interest in film by young photographers, as well as old photographers returning from digital to the film technology they used when they were younger, and this is occurring all over the world. For example, Film that used to take 6 weeks to sell out now sells out in a few days at a film photography shop in Baltimore, a project called “Film’s not Dead” has started in London, and there is a rescue mission for film in Italy.
This shows that film is still alive, even if it may not be obvious. Film photography has the potential to make a comeback, whether its among young, new photographers or older photographers who grew up using film. These photographers recognize film is a unique kind of art that requires thought that goes into each photograph, and the aura given off by film is one that should never be left behind.
Dowling also recognizes that there are benefits to film that digital photography does not have. Film can be processed in larger formats that would be very expensive to do digitally, and film photos also have a different, grainy, and natural look to them compared to the pixelated photos from a digital camera. Then there is, of course, the process of developing your own photos which is an experience in itself. The essence of the darkroom and watching your own photos become exposed is almost a magical feeling.
As an amateur photographer, I have had experience with both film and digital photography. For the sake of convenience, I carry my digital camera with me as well as my smartphone to take pictures, with my Canon AE-1 film camera sitting at home, gathering dust. But when I do use my film camera, it’s like a whole different experience to photograph, especially when I have the opportunity to develop my own photos. It’s almost a completely different style of art that is taken for granted. Not only does it require patience, planning, and perspective, but it really allows you to see what you are taking a photo of, which allows for each photograph to have its own unique, genuine feel. Digital photography has its benefits and is great in its own ways, but film photography is one form of art that should never be forgotten.
Works Cited
Benjamin, Walter. “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” 1935. Print.
Dowling, Stephen. BBC News. “The Photographers Who Refuse to Abandon Traditional Cameras.” 18 April 2015. Web. 25 April 2015.
Photo Credits
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4008/4647642912_d62744ac41.jpg
https://mallumacedo.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/cam-prof2.jpg
