Digital versus film

Calling all photographer.

What is the difference between film & digital?

Do digital photos really fade?

Why is film better (or is it better than digital?)

I am starting to think about photography and don't really know much about digital beyond loading my digital camera pics onto snapfish & shutterfly. LOL

They are printed on Kodak paper so does it matter that they are digital. Will they fade?

I just don't want to worry about wedding pics fading.

Help!!

Thanks much.

Re: Digital versus film

As a professional photographer and adjunct professor my opinions are as follows:

'What is the difference between film & digital?'

There are many differences between film & digital. Here are a few: Film has more exposure latitude. This means that film is more tolerant/forgiving of an over or under-exposure. However, when in doubt one can use the RAW setting on a digital camera -- this allows for exposure compensation when the RAW file is processed later, and is a great aid in fixing an over or underexposure. Some may argue that film is better for making very large prints. However a print is best viewed from a distance equal to about twice the diagonal. The larger the print, the further you should be when viewing it. The further you are from the print the less critical sharpness becomes. Besides which the higher quality digital cameras create very large file sizes which are more than up to the task of creating large prints.

With digital one can shoot in color and convert to black & white or sepia very easily. One can also retouch blemishes and save money and time when preparing a magazine style album.

I use a Fuji S2 Finepix which produces amazing results. I've used this camera for magazine covers. I also own various medium format film cameras. I find that I take many more photos at a wedding with the digital camera. In addition I can be more creative with lighting due to the fact that I can monitor the photos as they are taken. It's also nice to not have to reload with digital. Within two months or so the Fuji S3 Finepix is coming out. I plan on buying two. This camera will have improved exposure lattitude. It will also provide several setting to emulate the distinct look of several popular films.

When I shoot digital I don't have to worry about the lab ruining the film. I also save on film costs. This savings is negated when one factors in the extra cost of staying current with digital equipment.

Of course there are more differences between film and digital. The most important factor is the skill, craftsmanship, and creativity of the photographer. A good photographer can do beautiful work with film or digital.

'Do digital photos really fade?'

I think what you mean to ask is do prints from digital files fade. I have all my prints from film or digital printed on high quality photographic paper. Some people have voiced concern regarding prints made with an inkjet printer. There are studies that have found archival inkjet printing inks, papers, and printers to have superior lasting qualities over photographic paper prints. Whether or not the inks will stay on the papers for a very long time is up to debate. Either way, it's always a good idea to limit the amount of time photos are subjected to sunlight.

'Why is film better (or is it better than digital?)'

I believe that the great majority of wedding photographers will go digital (if they haven't already) within the current year. The only thing delaying things for some of the larger studios are workflow issues.

I hope this helps answer some of your questions.

Best regards,
Dan Wagner
http://www.danwagner.com

By the way, I've been asked by art directors and magazine editors whether or not certain prints were digital or film. Even these experts couldn't tell!

Re: Digital versus film

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Posted by Dan Wagner Photography

As a professional photographer and adjunct professor my opinions are as follows:

'What is the difference between film & digital?'

There are many differences between film & digital. Here are a few: Film has more exposure latitude. This means that film is more tolerant/forgiving of an over or under-exposure. However, when in doubt one can use the RAW setting on a digital camera -- this allows for exposure compensation when the RAW file is processed later, and is a great aid in fixing an over or underexposure. Some may argue that film is better for making very large prints. However a print is best viewed from a distance equal to about twice the diagonal. The larger the print, the further you should be when viewing it. The further you are from the print the less critical sharpness becomes. Besides which the higher quality digital cameras create very large file sizes which are more than up to the task of creating large prints.

With digital one can shoot in color and convert to black & white or sepia very easily. One can also retouch blemishes and save money and time when preparing a magazine style album.

I use a Fuji S2 Finepix which produces amazing results. I've used this camera for magazine covers. I also own various medium format film cameras. I find that I take many more photos at a wedding with the digital camera. In addition I can be more creative with lighting due to the fact that I can monitor the photos as they are taken. It's also nice to not have to reload with digital. Within two months or so the Fuji S3 Finepix is coming out. I plan on buying two. This camera will have improved exposure lattitude. It will also provide several setting to emulate the distinct look of several popular films.

When I shoot digital I don't have to worry about the lab ruining the film. I also save on film costs. This savings is negated when one factors in the extra cost of staying current with digital equipment.

Of course there are more differences between film and digital. The most important factor is the skill, craftsmanship, and creativity of the photographer. A good photographer can do beautiful work with film or digital.

'Do digital photos really fade?'

I think what you mean to ask is do prints from digital files fade. I have all my prints from film or digital printed on high quality photographic paper. Some people have voiced concern regarding prints made with an inkjet printer. There are studies that have found archival inkjet printing inks, papers, and printers to have superior lasting qualities over photographic paper prints. Whether or not the inks will stay on the papers for a very long time is up to debate. Either way, it's always a good idea to limit the amount of time photos are subjected to sunlight.

'Why is film better (or is it better than digital?)'

I believe that the great majority of wedding photographers will go digital (if they haven't already) within the current year. The only thing delaying things for some of the larger studios are workflow issues.

I hope this helps answer some of your questions.

Best regards,
Dan Wagner
http://www.danwagner.com

By the way, I've been asked by art directors and magazine editors whether or not certain prints were digital or film. Even these experts couldn't tell!

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Thank you so much Mr. Wagner. I am no longer paranoid about possibly having some wedding shots taken in digital.