Legacy photographic techniques...sometimes legacy is better! ;-)

 

Note that the majority of my photographs were proudly produced using Velvia 50 and the iDealRaw(tm) process. The iDealRaw(tm) system is a unique proprietary process which is exclusive to Serendipitous Light imagery. The use of iDealRaw(tm) marks are limited to use only by Serendipitous Light and authorized entities.

 

Most of the images in my photostream have been shot with film, however I have been shooting digital (mostly point & shoot) for years. I find something so satisfying about using film and simple film cameras.

 

Due to the inability of newer photographers that have only known the digital means of photography, and their continual hounding ("Oh, you shoot film...how come you don't shoot digital?"), I have decided to start shooting more with a DSLR. Quite frankly I'm tired of having to explain to these "haven't got a clue" newbies why I shoot film instead of digital.

 

Let it be known I have not abandoned film!

 

The fine-arts, black and white photographer, and publisher of the fine photography journal, "LensWork", Brooks Jensen, said of camera and technology, "Never forget that all the great photographs in history were made with more primitive camera equipment than you currently own."

 

So now that we have digital camera technology, does that mean Ansel Adams' photographs, are unworthy of adoration? If we had the chance to claim Adams' work as our own and include them in our own portfolios, would we, or would we pass on this chance because it was created on ancient technology?

 

I for one would be very, very happy to claim the wonderful photographs of Adams' portfolio in mine, because his photographs are just plain superb no matter what they were captured with.

 

Any good creation will stand the test of time, because it will transcend the technology that created it. This is true for music, literature, painting, dance, photography and others.

 

If one's work constantly needs the latest and greatest technology to separate or differentiate one's portfolio from others, then your work really isn't that good, isn't that unique, or you really have nothing noteworthy or interesting to say with your photographs. A boring photograph at 8 MP is still a boring photograph at 12MP, 18MP, 20MP, 36MP, and 50 MP. What are the chances that an 80MP image will make a boring photograph, better?

 

This even happens with popular professional photographers, as they feel the need to upgrade their technology, when they really don't need to. If one's work is that good, it will stand the test of time.

 

The fact that you have a brilliant portfolio created with say, a Canon 5D, Mark III, and out comes the 50 MP camera, doesn't mean your portfolios suddenly becomes devalued and you feel a need to upgrade...they are still brilliant photographs even at 22 MP. At the very least, you will still be able to create compelling photographs equal to the level of your excellent 22MP photos already in your portfolio, right?

 

So if I have confused you by the above, what I'm trying to say is don't get wrapped around the axle, chasing technology in trying to create great photographs. Cameras come and go, technology comes and goes.

 

I would be more concerned with developing your own personal, unique vision, that will allow your work to stand head and tails over the others no matter what the technology that created them.

 

Now enough about gear, and go out there and create something beautiful, emotional, and something that is uniquely yours!