In my previous post, I mentioned "It has been almost a year since I have written here" well something even longer than that is me using a digital camera for personal photography. I’ve looked back and the last time I did was eight years ago in 2014.
I do own a digital camera which I use for paid work. So recently when I worked with Danielle she specifically asked if I could shoot some digital photos as well as my usual film. She needed them for a job and quick so couldn't wait the two or three weeks it usually takes me to develop, scan and send my film photos. I duly bought along my digital camera and nervously spent the shoot outside my photographic comfort zone hoping I wouldn't blow out my highlights or run out of battery!
I've never liked participating in the endless Digital vs Analogue debate, because for me how a photograph is taken is secondary to what a photo looks like and how it makes you feel. In that regard whether it's a photo taken digitally or with film or for that matter with a polaroid camera or a mobile phone's camera, I don't really care. I'm mostly interested in what I see and if I like it. All those conversations about cost, convenience and how analogue photographers think they are so cool for shooting film or how digital photography is soulless are boring to me.
Of course, having said that I am, at my core visually attracted to film photography with its grain, tones and colours and that elusive filmic look. But, for every feature of a photo I like that is shot on film, I also think that a bit like Newton's third law of motion, with a digitally made photo there is an equal and opposite reaction. I love the sharp and accurate look of digital pictures. How dark and light are rendered and I really enjoy some of the dramatic effects of post-production whereby the colours are manipulated expertly by experienced photographers to give their work a signature look and feel. In the end, for me, it's the photo that matters most.
Look, I don't think I'm going to bring my digital camera out with me much in future but this was a nice reminder that there is another way to take photos and when it comes to photography my ‘secondary’ choice of equipment and method is a personal preference based on how I like to shoot and present my work, nothing more.
All shot with Canon EOS 5D and Canon EF 24-105mm ƒ4
Model: Danielle Wood