One of my favorite photo quotes is from the movie Kodachrome where he is telling his son why film is superior to digital. "Have you ever held a pair of fake breasts in your hands? No matter how good they look, they are never as good as the real thing."
I have never stopped using film.! I am sometimes feel crazy, when it fails.. and it does. Film is NOT Romantic. Yet seeing a roll hanging to dry! MAGIC!
For me it’s the involvement aspect. Traditionally almost photographers sent their film out for development, had small proof prints made and then maybe had the best printed larger. When digital became a viable option they, (we) quickly jumped on that bandwagon. But for those of us who develop, scan or wet print it is a different paradigm altogether. It is a tradition and a craft that few participate in. And as you mention the look. Film is not for everyone but the process keeps me fascinated.
In my opinion, this is true photography. What photography is meant to be be. All your images have so much heart and soul that digital could never have. I find if ironic that the new generation of photographers praise AI and digital manipulation of captures and then use film simulations to try and get feeling back into their images. Thanks for this video David. It restores my faith in photography.
Dang your photos are stunning! Very well done. You somehow seem to shoot extraordinairily beautiful pictures in ordinary places. A skill I wish I could achieve someday.
Thank you Larry, the one shot with the dead tree in the dunes was made on a Pentax 645 medium format camera with 150mm lens and the other dune shot with waves of sand was made with a 4x5 sheet film camera and a 135mm lens, if you where curious 🧐
Greetings fellow F5 shooter! Thank you for such a well thought out and put together video. I learned on digital photography and later on the Curiosity of film came up to me. After about a year I've got two photos that one in a local photographic competition hanging on my living room walls. The feeling of being there from taking the shot to development to eventually seeing the photos hung up is truly a beautiful process. I'm just starting four by five photography and I'm very excited to see where film will take me. Thank you so much for this video!
I echo your thoughts on film David, I feel the same, having returned to film - I love the mechanical nature of the cameras and the depth of the image is beautiful, digital can’t compete in my opinion. Your photographs are beautiful, you have a great eye for detail, lovely work!
Some mighty fine work David 😊 You have mastered both film and digital, but it shows that your roots are in film photography. Digital photography and a hybrid process both offer control to the nth degree, but I would say overly so. Digital cameras and their menu systems offer a fast track to Decision Fatigue, certainly by comparison with analogue cameras 🤪 Film photography is somehow more immersive (facilitated by having fewer choices to make) and at the same time a unique mixture of hope and trepidation! A favourite quote by Robert Doisneau refers to "the music of the springs" of his Rolleiflex - analogue cameras have soul, digital cameras are imaging computers with a faux-analogue interface.
I love the quote! I'm so old that when I started my career as a photojournalist there was only film, learning photography that way had a big impact on even my digital photography, strating with film was time well spent. :) thanks for sharing your insight.
@DavidPattonPhotography You're so right - so many of the problems and difficulties associated with the use of film carried across into digital - scratches from debris in the camera back metamorphose into the dreaded "dust bunnies", and if you were raised on avoiding blown out highlights in Fuji Velvia, you can expose anything right! HDR is just cheating 🤣 . Film is such a great starting point for photographic training - the perceived extra cost makes one careful of every frame. But then I strongly suspect that the supposed "lower cost" of digital photography is so much smoke & mirror/less creative accounting - ever heard the phrase "memory is cheap"? Not when you have to replace your Mac/PC because it or its software, or even backup system have become obsolete and are no longer supported 🤔 Hey, I'm not entirely a Luddite, and I'm not trying to install a soapbox and highjack your channel, having shot extensively with both media 😉 I'm just glad to see you wearing your heart upon your sleeve - keep up the good work 👏
Nice to see your back to B&W film David. Since the early sixties all my photography has been in color mostly Slide, even though I've a lot of b&w film in the fridge! Thanks for the inspiration to load up some medium format and get after it! Here's to good light!
Your images here are a perfect example of the depth and power of emotion that film brings out. It's akin to the Hollywood glamour shots of the 40s and 50s which run rings around what most people do today. Ultimately black and white film needs no defense - the images speak for themselves, and you sir, are a master. Cheers!
You make realy beautiful work. Keep shooting film. This year I started with shooting large format film. I has its learning curve but I realy do like it.
Hi, Dave. When I look at these photos I don't understand why you left film photography. These are really beautiful photos. And no digital image can compete with this. If I could do this work that you show here, I would quit digital yesterday. And it is exactly what you say that the tonality of film cannot be achieved with digital, not in color and certainly not in black and white. Thank you for sharing this very nice set of photos, friend. Antoine.
Thank you for the kind words Antoine, the reason I stopped using film mostly comes down to financial reasons, my time away from using film help remind me what it was that I liked about film photography in the first place.
Very nice collection of images. One of my favorites is the frosty leaf on the ground. Sometimes a choice that one makes in their equipment or the process they use can be as simple as how it allows you approach your work. Example: using a prime lens vs a zoom. Sure, a zoom is easier, more convenient than a prime. And most times you can’t tell a bit of difference in quality. But if going out with a prime only puts you in a better frame of mind, or a different creative zone, and it leads to photos that better represent your goal, then that is the reason you may choose a prime over a zoom. Same with your decision to revisit film photography. It obviously puts your mind and artistic juices in a different mode which seems suits your objectives. You can’t make all decisions based on objective logic or what the math indicates. Sometimes you have to go with what feeds your creative engine.
Great images, David. Good to see your back with film. I still shoot a lot of color projects in digital. But, mostly shoot B&W on film. Main reason, yes , the look, but mainly the process and it slows me down.
I literally just PUT my M6 and HASSELBLAD away for a bit, For ALL of 2024 to be HONEST, as expensive as FILM (Buying/ DEVELOPING) has gotten, it is difficult to JUSTIFY using film. Nice video here.
Thanks, I can understand what you are experiencing, right now my volume of images isn't to high and I develop and scan film so I'm able to keep the cost down to a manageable level but if that wasn't the case I to would have a hard time justifying the cost.
I shoot digital because it is fast and easy(ish), I shoot film because I like the cameras and the process better. There is room in the world for both, so if you find the need to pull out your digital again in the future, go for it.
For sure Keith, there is definitely room for both, I tried to convince myself I didn't need film anymore but it turns out I still want film in my photography, everyone is on their own photography journey and needs something different from their photographic endeavors.
Personally I believe these film vs digital debates are not worth the effort expended on them. It is almost a religious conflict. You explained the reasons for your digital use and your film use. Both of these are tools that photographers can use to bring out the visions that they have. I have never given up shooting with film. I continued shooting it when you could buy a Hasselblad 500cm for $150 because everyone said film is dead. However, I was also an early adopter of digital using 1 Mpixel cameras. I still shoot film and I shoot digital. Indeed, almost all my color work is digital. I don't like grain especially with color. However, even in the pre digitial days I didn't like grain. I shot my BW with panatomicX and most often with Technical Pan. I shoot 35mm but prefer medium or large format (less grain). I love the process of film from the loading through the making of a positive image. So, shoot what appeals to you for the work you are doing. I say forget all the film vs digital nonsense. Your work is beautiful whether shot on film or digital.
Hopefully your aren’t seeing this video as a film vs digital debate, this video is just a response to questions I got about why I took a break from film photography and why I decided I want to continue using film for my BW photography, plus it gives my regular viewers an idea what’s coming up on this channel in the future. Thank you for sharing your photography experience, it sounds like we have similar experiences with film and digital photography, I’m also not a big lover for grain but I have to admit my tolerance for some grain has increased since digital got so clean Lol
No but I worry reading comments here snd other places that some folks think there is some sort of right or wrong involved. I think your video outlined your approach very well. The photos were stunning. Whether digital or film you have a great eye and very artistic expression. Always fun to see your work.
Thank you, I was worried my video wasn’t coming across as intended, it wouldn’t be the first time Lol thanks for your thoughtful insight and I also agree with you, there is no need for a film vs digital debate, everyone should use the camera they want to make the photos they want to make, there’s room for all in this creative endeavor. Take care and have a great weekend!
I shoot film because I enjoy the process and the pride I get when I see an image I'm proud of, having produced it myself instead of turning on a camera and relying on someone else's presets.
Yeah, its the process of film as well as the look, overcoming the random unknowns with experience and crossed fingers. Digital is cheaper, more convenient ... easier. Being a lazy photographer who carries very little kit about on a walk I 'usually' take one film camera with lens attached, maybe a spare film and my phone, rarely now a tripod. My days of hiking with a big backpack are long gone.
There's a lot of hills and rivers round here. My best photography kit is neoprene wellies and an ice axe. What lens I have with me is peripheral.@@DavidPattonPhotography
Excellent images and a great channel I’m a David and also a film photographer plus have a RUclips channel and have had a similar journey to yourself starting as a professional wedding photographer using film then migrating to digital for speed and cost then realising I missed film so now back to film plus digital when needed, looking to produce a Zine all shot on film in the near future can I ask how was your experience producing your first Zine?
Thank you, and thanks for introducing yourself. I’ve produced quite a few zines to date, an all digital, an all film and some with a mixture of both, I use Blurb to print my zines because of the ease of use and distribution. While my zines are far from perfect, they seem to have been pretty well received, well so far. :) my first zine went pretty well, I had a topic and kept it simple, because I’ve spent 25 years working as a staff photographer for newspapers, that type of printing came pretty easy for me, it’s not a lot different that laying out photo pages or photo essays which I did a fair amount of over the years. Feel free to contact me if you have questions when producing your zine, I’m far from an expert but I can give you my 2 cents.
@@DavidPattonPhotography That’s great and thank you any advice is always welcome the zine I am working on is titled “North Wales Coast to Valley” all the images are shot on film and I’m doing the layout in Lightroom I have had personal photo books printed by Blurb and was happy with them so may consider them for this one. How many did you have printed for your first Zine as that’s what I’m struggling with at the moment.
I just do print on demand, I’m not doing limited edition printings and I’m sure my profit margin is much lower than if I order a lot up front but having a store front through Burb makes it seamless, I have a link on my website that takes the interested person to my Blurb store and they can order directly from Blurb who handles the transaction and directly ships to the buyer, before I make a Zine available to purchase, I have proofs come to me to make sure it’s what I want, then I post the link. I don’t make a lot of money from my zines but someday may do a limited edition zine packaged with a print, in that case I would order the whole edition and handle shipping from home.
I agree with everything youhave said. I started shooting digital because it wa easy and inexpensive by comparison at the ene of theday. But if the digital filers get erased, they could be gone forever. With neegatives, you always have a second chance!
That can been a big problem if you want to use film, fortunately I’ve been developing my own film since I started photography many, many lol years ago. I only use film for black and white photography so that makes it pretty easy, developing film isn’t hard and is very affordable, if I wasn’t developing and scanning my film I wouldn’t be using it, it’s really the only way to consistently get the results you are wanting.
Impactful images, thanks for sharing. Like the fact this video mainly images to view and appreciate. All the video b-roll and music used in some videos is not necessary to convey a message.
One of my favorite photo quotes is from the movie Kodachrome where he is telling his son why film is superior to digital. "Have you ever held a pair of fake breasts in your hands? No matter how good they look, they are never as good as the real thing."
😂 yes, great quote!
I have never stopped using film.! I am sometimes feel crazy, when it fails.. and it does. Film is NOT Romantic. Yet seeing a roll hanging to dry! MAGIC!
Yes, that never gets old!
For me it’s the involvement aspect. Traditionally almost photographers sent their film out for development, had small proof prints made and then maybe had the best printed larger. When digital became a viable option they, (we) quickly jumped on that bandwagon. But for those of us who develop, scan or wet print it is a different paradigm altogether. It is a tradition and a craft that few participate in. And as you mention the look. Film is not for everyone but the process keeps me fascinated.
Well said Mike!
In my opinion, this is true photography. What photography is meant to be be. All your images have so much heart and soul that digital could never have. I find if ironic that the new generation of photographers praise AI and digital manipulation of captures and then use film simulations to try and get feeling back into their images. Thanks for this video David. It restores my faith in photography.
Thank you for sharing your insight, I agree that digital processes are becoming over used, I don't think good photography needs a lot of manipulation.
Nice set of images , you never a disappoint film or digital 😊
Thank you Christine!
Dang your photos are stunning! Very well done. You somehow seem to shoot extraordinairily beautiful pictures in ordinary places. A skill I wish I could achieve someday.
Thank you so much for the kind words!
Some wonderful images, David. I love the striking sand dune exposures that have such sharp, yet pleasing contrast.
Thank you Larry, the one shot with the dead tree in the dunes was made on a Pentax 645 medium format camera with 150mm lens and the other dune shot with waves of sand was made with a 4x5 sheet film camera and a 135mm lens, if you where curious 🧐
Greetings fellow F5 shooter! Thank you for such a well thought out and put together video. I learned on digital photography and later on the Curiosity of film came up to me. After about a year I've got two photos that one in a local photographic competition hanging on my living room walls. The feeling of being there from taking the shot to development to eventually seeing the photos hung up is truly a beautiful process. I'm just starting four by five photography and I'm very excited to see where film will take me. Thank you so much for this video!
Thanks for sharing Ethan and I hope you enjoy your journey into large format photography!
The images and excellent. Nice insights too. Although I use mainly digital, I do enjoy film photography especially for my black and white projects.
Thank you Bernard
I echo your thoughts on film David, I feel the same, having returned to film - I love the mechanical nature of the cameras and the depth of the image is beautiful, digital can’t compete in my opinion. Your photographs are beautiful, you have a great eye for detail, lovely work!
Thank you!
Some mighty fine work David 😊 You have mastered both film and digital, but it shows that your roots are in film photography. Digital photography and a hybrid process both offer control to the nth degree, but I would say overly so. Digital cameras and their menu systems offer a fast track to Decision Fatigue, certainly by comparison with analogue cameras 🤪 Film photography is somehow more immersive (facilitated by having fewer choices to make) and at the same time a unique mixture of hope and trepidation! A favourite quote by Robert Doisneau refers to "the music of the springs" of his Rolleiflex - analogue cameras have soul, digital cameras are imaging computers with a faux-analogue interface.
I love the quote! I'm so old that when I started my career as a photojournalist there was only film, learning photography that way had a big impact on even my digital photography, strating with film was time well spent. :) thanks for sharing your insight.
@DavidPattonPhotography You're so right - so many of the problems and difficulties associated with the use of film carried across into digital - scratches from debris in the camera back metamorphose into the dreaded "dust bunnies", and if you were raised on avoiding blown out highlights in Fuji Velvia, you can expose anything right! HDR is just cheating 🤣 . Film is such a great starting point for photographic training - the perceived extra cost makes one careful of every frame. But then I strongly suspect that the supposed "lower cost" of digital photography is so much smoke & mirror/less creative accounting - ever heard the phrase "memory is cheap"? Not when you have to replace your Mac/PC because it or its software, or even backup system have become obsolete and are no longer supported 🤔 Hey, I'm not entirely a Luddite, and I'm not trying to install a soapbox and highjack your channel, having shot extensively with both media 😉 I'm just glad to see you wearing your heart upon your sleeve - keep up the good work 👏
Nice to see your back to B&W film David. Since the early sixties all my photography has been in color mostly Slide, even though I've a lot of b&w film in the fridge! Thanks for the inspiration to load up some medium format and get after it! Here's to good light!
Load up and get out there Richard! :)
Always look forward to your Black and White film photography David. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the words of encouragement Terry!
Beautiful photos! 😍
Thank you!
Your images here are a perfect example of the depth and power of emotion that film brings out. It's akin to the Hollywood glamour shots of the 40s and 50s which run rings around what most people do today. Ultimately black and white film needs no defense - the images speak for themselves, and you sir, are a master. Cheers!
Thank you Robert, you are so kind!
You make realy beautiful work. Keep shooting film. This year I started with shooting large format film. I has its learning curve but I realy do like it.
Thank you, yes, large format can be challenging but when you get it right the results are amazing!
Love your film work!
Thank you!
Your B&W film images look great, I get the thing about film being $$$, a tricky situation.
Thank you Andrew!
Just found you, great video! Just getting back into playing with film, after 20 years in digital. Not giving up digital, but having fun with film.
Thank you, welcome to the channel, there's no reason to give one up for the other, just enjoy your photography! 😁
I’ve been shooting film for nearly 50 years and I still get a thrill when I take the film out of the developing tank.
I get that, even though I've developed thousands of rolls of film, I still get excited to see another roll make it through the process.
Hi, Dave.
When I look at these photos I don't understand why you left film photography.
These are really beautiful photos.
And no digital image can compete with this.
If I could do this work that you show here, I would quit digital yesterday.
And it is exactly what you say that the tonality of film cannot be achieved with digital, not in color and certainly not in black and white.
Thank you for sharing this very nice set of photos, friend.
Antoine.
Thank you for the kind words Antoine, the reason I stopped using film mostly comes down to financial reasons, my time away from using film help remind me what it was that I liked about film photography in the first place.
Excellent work.
Thank you!
Palette knives are better than brushes- and vice-versa. I love your photography and the stories you tell of your journeys either way!
Thank you Brent!
Beautiful images via film David! Love the ‘feel’ of film images, reminds me of the pure sound (with all the noise) of LP albums.
Thank you Bill
Very nice collection of images. One of my favorites is the frosty leaf on the ground. Sometimes a choice that one makes in their equipment or the process they use can be as simple as how it allows you approach your work. Example: using a prime lens vs a zoom. Sure, a zoom is easier, more convenient than a prime. And most times you can’t tell a bit of difference in quality. But if going out with a prime only puts you in a better frame of mind, or a different creative zone, and it leads to photos that better represent your goal, then that is the reason you may choose a prime over a zoom. Same with your decision to revisit film photography. It obviously puts your mind and artistic juices in a different mode which seems suits your objectives. You can’t make all decisions based on objective logic or what the math indicates. Sometimes you have to go with what feeds your creative engine.
Well said Bill, I agree with you 💯
Make film great again!
Great images, David. Good to see your back with film. I still shoot a lot of color projects in digital. But, mostly shoot B&W on film. Main reason, yes , the look, but mainly the process and it slows me down.
Thanks Ken, good to hear you are still using film for your BW
Beautiful stuff bro!
Thank you Joshua
I literally just PUT my M6 and HASSELBLAD away for a bit, For ALL of 2024 to be HONEST, as expensive as FILM (Buying/ DEVELOPING) has gotten, it is difficult to JUSTIFY using film. Nice video here.
Thanks, I can understand what you are experiencing, right now my volume of images isn't to high and I develop and scan film so I'm able to keep the cost down to a manageable level but if that wasn't the case I to would have a hard time justifying the cost.
I shoot digital because it is fast and easy(ish), I shoot film because I like the cameras and the process better. There is room in the world for both, so if you find the need to pull out your digital again in the future, go for it.
For sure Keith, there is definitely room for both, I tried to convince myself I didn't need film anymore but it turns out I still want film in my photography, everyone is on their own photography journey and needs something different from their photographic endeavors.
"I'm a Film Photographer... and that's OK.". David, is that your "Daily Affirmation"? 😉
Lol yes, some people seem to have a problem with that but that's ok 😁
Personally I believe these film vs digital debates are not worth the effort expended on them. It is almost a religious conflict. You explained the reasons for your digital use and your film use. Both of these are tools that photographers can use to bring out the visions that they have. I have never given up shooting with film. I continued shooting it when you could buy a Hasselblad 500cm for $150 because everyone said film is dead. However, I was also an early adopter of digital using 1 Mpixel cameras. I still shoot film and I shoot digital. Indeed, almost all my color work is digital. I don't like grain especially with color. However, even in the pre digitial days I didn't like grain. I shot my BW with panatomicX and most often with Technical Pan. I shoot 35mm but prefer medium or large format (less grain). I love the process of film from the loading through the making of a positive image. So, shoot what appeals to you for the work you are doing. I say forget all the film vs digital nonsense. Your work is beautiful whether shot on film or digital.
Hopefully your aren’t seeing this video as a film vs digital debate, this video is just a response to questions I got about why I took a break from film photography and why I decided I want to continue using film for my BW photography, plus it gives my regular viewers an idea what’s coming up on this channel in the future. Thank you for sharing your photography experience, it sounds like we have similar experiences with film and digital photography, I’m also not a big lover for grain but I have to admit my tolerance for some grain has increased since digital got so clean Lol
No but I worry reading comments here snd other places that some folks think there is some sort of right or wrong involved. I think your video outlined your approach very well. The photos were stunning. Whether digital or film you have a great eye and very artistic expression. Always fun to see your work.
Thank you, I was worried my video wasn’t coming across as intended, it wouldn’t be the first time Lol thanks for your thoughtful insight and I also agree with you, there is no need for a film vs digital debate, everyone should use the camera they want to make the photos they want to make, there’s room for all in this creative endeavor. Take care and have a great weekend!
I shoot film because I enjoy the process and the pride I get when I see an image I'm proud of, having produced it myself instead of turning on a camera and relying on someone else's presets.
Thanks for sharing Robert
Yeah, its the process of film as well as the look, overcoming the random unknowns with experience and crossed fingers. Digital is cheaper, more convenient ... easier.
Being a lazy photographer who carries very little kit about on a walk I 'usually' take one film camera with lens attached, maybe a spare film and my phone, rarely now a tripod. My days of hiking with a big backpack are long gone.
Thanks for sharing Iain, I'm still packing way more than I should, that's something I need to work on :)
There's a lot of hills and rivers round here. My best photography kit is neoprene wellies and an ice axe. What lens I have with me is peripheral.@@DavidPattonPhotography
Excellent images and a great channel I’m a David and also a film photographer plus have a RUclips channel and have had a similar journey to yourself starting as a professional wedding photographer using film then migrating to digital for speed and cost then realising I missed film so now back to film plus digital when needed, looking to produce a Zine all shot on film in the near future can I ask how was your experience producing your first Zine?
Thank you, and thanks for introducing yourself. I’ve produced quite a few zines to date, an all digital, an all film and some with a mixture of both, I use Blurb to print my zines because of the ease of use and distribution. While my zines are far from perfect, they seem to have been pretty well received, well so far. :) my first zine went pretty well, I had a topic and kept it simple, because I’ve spent 25 years working as a staff photographer for newspapers, that type of printing came pretty easy for me, it’s not a lot different that laying out photo pages or photo essays which I did a fair amount of over the years. Feel free to contact me if you have questions when producing your zine, I’m far from an expert but I can give you my 2 cents.
@@DavidPattonPhotography That’s great and thank you any advice is always welcome the zine I am working on is titled “North Wales Coast to Valley” all the images are shot on film and I’m doing the layout in Lightroom I have had personal photo books printed by Blurb and was happy with them so may consider them for this one. How many did you have printed for your first Zine as that’s what I’m struggling with at the moment.
I just do print on demand, I’m not doing limited edition printings and I’m sure my profit margin is much lower than if I order a lot up front but having a store front through Burb makes it seamless, I have a link on my website that takes the interested person to my Blurb store and they can order directly from Blurb who handles the transaction and directly ships to the buyer, before I make a Zine available to purchase, I have proofs come to me to make sure it’s what I want, then I post the link. I don’t make a lot of money from my zines but someday may do a limited edition zine packaged with a print, in that case I would order the whole edition and handle shipping from home.
I agree with everything youhave said. I started shooting digital because it wa easy and inexpensive by comparison at the ene of theday. But if the digital filers get erased, they could be gone forever. With neegatives, you always have a second chance!
My challenge is getting it processed
That can been a big problem if you want to use film, fortunately I’ve been developing my own film since I started photography many, many lol years ago. I only use film for black and white photography so that makes it pretty easy, developing film isn’t hard and is very affordable, if I wasn’t developing and scanning my film I wouldn’t be using it, it’s really the only way to consistently get the results you are wanting.
Is there any other kind? 😅
Impactful images, thanks for sharing. Like the fact this video mainly images to view and appreciate. All the video b-roll and music used in some videos is not necessary to convey a message.
Thank you