An article I interviewed for in Singapore during XEdition 2018 has just published on Lifestyle Asia… its on how the iPhone/ camera phones and film simulation apps like Instagram, Hipstamatic and Huji Cam may actually be encouraging younger shooters to look towards film.
I’ve been saying it for years – Photojournalism is dead! The perfect storm: easy video and digital capture, an acceptance on the part of the public to settle for less, unrealistic and unprecedented restrictions on photographers, and ever-tightening budgets… are all combining to end newspaper photojournalism as we have known it. Exhibit A, below.
I believe this issue needs additional clarification from the Photo Industrial Complex… is the damage a result of cumulative exposures? are specific sensors more prone to gamma rays, CCD or CMOS? and at what point can software no longer “fix” dead pixels?… I don’t know the answer as of now (stay tuned) but I am glad that my trip to Italy on Sunday is all film!!
And for the crazy conspiracy theory readers out there: don’t forget that Kodak invented much of the digital technology used today and makes sensors for many camera makers to include Leica and the DOD… so this is not some PR push to sell more film.
The Focal Encyclopedia of Photography, Fourth Edition is a must-have for every serious photographer… period. An earlier edition was a constant resource for me while at RIT and now this newer edition is my Xmas gift to myself this year… it is expensive but well worth it. It is quite thick and full of very useful content on just about every photographic topic imaginable from film to digital and beyond… and if the heat bills get too high this winter I can burn it to stay warm… or my wife could throw it at me to knock some sense into me or perhaps I could learn something about this wonderful medium we all love… either way it will be my constant companion for the dark winter months here in VT. Be sure to add this gem to your holiday wish-list today!
Click on the link above to listen to a 6:41 minute discussion on Why Shoot Film, Part 1.
Digital Test-ImageFilm Test-Image
Please note that the test files are kinda big so if you have a slow internet connection just be patient. Also note that the different composition is due to the different aspect ratio but I tried to get at least the top and bottom about the same.
Inspired by a recent comment on the Figital Revolution Facebook page, this Audio Blog explores the concept of Figital and the Figital Revolution. Click on the Audio logo to give a listen.
Click on the audio blog logo to listen to this 7 minute discussion on manipulation and how I feel photography should embrace it as a core belief rather than shy away from admitting something that is at the very nature of our medium. First, however, watch the videos below (full screen with your sound turned on if possible).
“Is it a brave new world? Or are we just now admitting something that has always been true: all photography at its core involves some form of manipulation.” -Stephen Schaub, Leader Figital Revolution
Click on the audio blog logo to listen to this 14 minute review of the last 10 years of photography from my perspective as a hybrid artist and where the industry is possibly going in the next decade.
To everyone I wish a safe and happy New Years and stay tuned for a new post in a few days.