OK, Bob, I did write that "some" adapt to the new while "others" sit
down and moan. Of course there is (at least) a third, far from
unpopular, position: stay with what you´ve got, use it while supplies
last, and do a good job of it. You seem to have taken that position; I
respect those who do, and hope they can hold out for as long as they
wish. Personally, I thought this would be my position as well, but
repeated, more or less playful, contact with digital made me see its
potential, and finally I found I had adapted.
Of course I lost something in the move, like the ability to give slide
shows (nothing digital will still touch a good projector loaded with
good Velvia shots), the enormous, creamy detail in a 4"x5", or even 120
neg (possible with digital - if you pay a fortune), the independence of
batteries, e.g. But I gained a lot of equally important things: the
ability to fine-tune pictures to an extent unknown in the wet darkroom
(mind you, I´m NOT talking of "faking" or "compositing" images), the
far lighter equipment that lets me walk more, and experience the world
more fully (and that is the very source of all worthwhile images,
whether paintings, silver, or digital).
For me, there´s no way back, although I very occasionally load my old
TLR Rollei or Leicaflex SL with film. And, on a long enough timescale,
I have no doubt that most photographers will take the same path. For
the next few years, however, it should be perfectly possible to stay
with silver, so anyone inclined to do so: Good luck!
But neither group has any business bashing the other. Photography is
not religion, and it certainly isn´t football! Walk in peace!
Regards,
Per Öfverbeck
http://foto.ofverbeck.se
2005-05-30 kl. 23.59 skrev Robert M:
Try to see it this way: when most of us fossils started in
photography, it was a difficult and expensive craft that you learnt
and then liked to show off.
No, not always.
You invested a small fortune in heavy metal (!) gear that you thought
would last your lifetime, you tested materials and processes, and all
was well with the world...
I still do, and all is still well with the world. My equipment will
last if
cared for.
