There is no definitive answer. In my opinion I would try darkroom photography first to really learn all of the technical aspects of photography. Having said that the future is digital although film will probably always have a place.
I think you would gain a greater understanding of photography by using manual film cameras and processing the film yourself.
Good luck whichever you choose…
You should try darkroom first, then move on to digital. I just recently graduated from college, but if I would’ve been able to fit a darkroom photo class in my schedule instead of just the digital one, I would’ve done it. Film photo forces you to learn how to compose a shot, how to be picky, and how to develop an eye for things whereas with digital you can just shoot away and then choose what you like. But again, try darkroom first to get an understanding of how to develop your own pictures and how to develop that eye for choosing what’s good and what’s not.
Digital is the future of photography. Film is the past of photography. Both can still be used and this gives you an option that is unique at this time. You can study photography’s history while many treat it as better in some way and current.
A darkroom is not better and has not been for years. Not my opinion, it is fact.
Film is starting to be manufactured less often and is dying out. Not my opinion, it is just happening. Not my preference either. I liked the days when it took special knowledge of chemistry etc. Now you just have to click on “print”.
I gave away my Bessler 4×5 enlarger and sold my JOBO ATL 1000 for around $1,000.
Those two facts should show my opinion fairly well.
I’ve taken both, and digital allowed me to learn in weeks what would have taken me months or years to learn. With digital you have instant exposure feedback and a record of all your settings. With film, you have to manually record everything and keep track of your records and film. I wasn’t good at keeping track, so I wasn’t learning much.
I also wasn’t very patient with all the time it takes to develop the film and each print. It takes around an hour to develop a roll of black and white and a minimum of six minutes for each print, plus when you are learning you will have to do several test prints for each final print.
And it’s true that digital allows you to shoot away rather than carefully choosing your shots, but going through hundreds of shots teaches you what works and helps you to be more selective too. I’d rather have the best six shots out of a hundred compositions than the best six out of 24 anyway.
Unless you are making wet prints as an artist, you will probably end up using digital anyway. The higher cost of a digital SLR is offset by the cost of the film, paper, and chemicals.
film is going to go, when i dont know, but it will.
Dark room,
you learn how to make the film “safe” then use an enlarger to make the print, use chemicals to develop it, hey presto, a picture.
are you really going to want to know how to do that when digital is quicker, and chances are you will never have a dark room (what a waste of time that was)
digital is not only quicker it can do a whole lot more
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Neither or both.
I would prefer to see someone learn with film and then move down to digital.
You can practice Photoshop at home anytime. A darkroom is a little harder to come by.
There is no definitive answer. In my opinion I would try darkroom photography first to really learn all of the technical aspects of photography. Having said that the future is digital although film will probably always have a place.
i took film first and i really loved it. digital is more convenient but you feel like you have so much physical control in the dark room.
Dark Room has better quality, but digital doesn’t take as much time.
I think you would gain a greater understanding of photography by using manual film cameras and processing the film yourself.
Good luck whichever you choose…
You should try darkroom first, then move on to digital. I just recently graduated from college, but if I would’ve been able to fit a darkroom photo class in my schedule instead of just the digital one, I would’ve done it. Film photo forces you to learn how to compose a shot, how to be picky, and how to develop an eye for things whereas with digital you can just shoot away and then choose what you like. But again, try darkroom first to get an understanding of how to develop your own pictures and how to develop that eye for choosing what’s good and what’s not.
I understand some of the other comments but… would you learn to drive a car by starting on a waggon and horses?
I for one am not sure how long film will be around for and there is a strong environmental case to leave the dev to others.
Digital is the future of photography. Film is the past of photography. Both can still be used and this gives you an option that is unique at this time. You can study photography’s history while many treat it as better in some way and current.
A darkroom is not better and has not been for years. Not my opinion, it is fact.
Film is starting to be manufactured less often and is dying out. Not my opinion, it is just happening. Not my preference either. I liked the days when it took special knowledge of chemistry etc. Now you just have to click on “print”.
I gave away my Bessler 4×5 enlarger and sold my JOBO ATL 1000 for around $1,000.
Those two facts should show my opinion fairly well.
http://www.CurtisNeeley.com
I’ve taken both, and digital allowed me to learn in weeks what would have taken me months or years to learn. With digital you have instant exposure feedback and a record of all your settings. With film, you have to manually record everything and keep track of your records and film. I wasn’t good at keeping track, so I wasn’t learning much.
I also wasn’t very patient with all the time it takes to develop the film and each print. It takes around an hour to develop a roll of black and white and a minimum of six minutes for each print, plus when you are learning you will have to do several test prints for each final print.
And it’s true that digital allows you to shoot away rather than carefully choosing your shots, but going through hundreds of shots teaches you what works and helps you to be more selective too. I’d rather have the best six shots out of a hundred compositions than the best six out of 24 anyway.
Unless you are making wet prints as an artist, you will probably end up using digital anyway. The higher cost of a digital SLR is offset by the cost of the film, paper, and chemicals.
Good luck either way!
If you’re just beginning to learn about subject matter, lighting, composition, perspective and depth of field, go for the digital course.
It lets you take unlimited pictures and have instant feedback — exactly what you need to get good.
Your learning curve will be much shorter and you’ll have experience with the now-dominant technology.
All the skills you acquire will be applicable to film photography, and you can then go play in the darkroom if you want.
HTH
V2K1
to echo a few points
film is going to go, when i dont know, but it will.
Dark room,
you learn how to make the film “safe” then use an enlarger to make the print, use chemicals to develop it, hey presto, a picture.
are you really going to want to know how to do that when digital is quicker, and chances are you will never have a dark room (what a waste of time that was)
digital is not only quicker it can do a whole lot more
I prefer digital… my hands had a bad reaction to the chemicals in the darkroom.
Digital…….. It has a Future
I can see the massive advantages to digital, however are their any famous photographers that refuse to go digital?