Ever wondered which is better, film or digital?
Even if you are a casual snapper you probably have that question in the back of your mind. Photographers keep asking themselves this question because there is no end to it.
What is certain today will be less certain tomorrow because digital is changing all the time. So it should be outstripping film more and more all the time. And it is. But when we look at photos taken in 1936 we see a quality we want to emulate – like this photo by Dorothea Lange.
Of course, she used a large format camera – a Graflex Series D camera which used 4×5 inch film negatives. So not exactly something you could put in your pocket. You can see how big it is from the top where you would look down on a ground glass plate.
Graflex Series D Camera
Also, the subject matter of Migrant Mother is commanding. And the elements are big – portraits are not the strictest test of image quality. A tree with many leaves demands more acuity to satisfy the viewer.
So… I’ve Been Shooting Film
These past few weeks shooting 35mm film have been interesting. Which is better? I can answer it from the point of view of how much ‘detail’ they capture and in what circumstances. Both shots are from the photowalk, one on the walk and one while we were sitting getting ready.
The second photo is digital. I shot it in the shade, so much shade that I shot at 1/6th of a second and quickly at that. Despite the slight movement that is evident, digital knocks spots off film.
Under controlled lighting with a slower film (this was 400 ISO) then I am sure one could get more out of film, but for versatility and capability digital is better. Except in one respect and that is the act of shooting. It is different and intriguing enough that I will do more.
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