Film Photography vs. Digital Photography

Photography has come a long way since the days of the first pin-hole camera, which was invented in the 1850’s. New technologies have periodically refined photographing methods, each adding new dimension to this delightful art, which many pursue as a hobby. Basically, a photograph captures the image which the photographer desires. Formerly, such images were captured on films. Now, photographers have an option between digital photographs, and film photographs. Both these photography methods are acceptable as of date. Each of these methods has its drawbacks as well.

There is a difference in the types of cameras required for film photographs, and digital photographs. Cameras that generate digital images are costlier in the beginning. In the long run, however, they more than make up for their cost because images in these cameras are generated digitally. This means that digital photography results in considerable saving on film cost.

A dark room is essential for editing any images taken on film. Such a requirement is not there in case of digital photography. Digital photographs can be reviewed immediately, unlike those taken on any film. Digital photographs can also be printed using any computer and printer. Therefore, the photographer is not required to purchase any equipment that is exclusively meant for taking prints.

Digital cameras are also much lighter than cameras used to take film photographs. Another advantage of digital camera is that fewer attachments are required to take digital photographs.  Zoom lenses are carried separately by a film photographer, and considerable care needs to be taken to ensure that the lens is not damaged. Often in the case of photographers such as a wedding photographer, they will bring both digital and film cameras.

Many of the other principles of these cameras are quite alike. Therefore, each of these cameras has an aperture, and a shutter. In case of cameras that use films to generate images, the speed of the film is also important. Lens focusing, film speed, aperture, and shutter speed play crucial roles in any photography. Any unsteadiness on the part of the photographer can ruin the film photograph.  Digital cameras come with an autofocus feature. However, the camera cannot decide which is the object that the photographer desires to capture as an image. Therefore, the photographer using a digital camera also needs to select the object.

Knowing the effect of light on photographs is very important.  An advantage of film photographs is that if exposure is a bit too high, the photograph is salvageable more than it is in the case of any digital photograph. Likewise, smaller focusing problems do not result in major flaws in film photographs. Finally, to date, film photography is superior to digital technology for capturing images in black and white colors.

This is a guest post by Claire Jarrett of Marketing By Web, who blogs about a variety of topics on behalf of her clients