What is the difference between photography and digital photography?
Some colleges want to know if I want to major in photography or digital photography. Besides the use of two different cameras, what the real difference?
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
Photography with film is a lot different from digital. For one thing, it’s done in a dark room. You need the right chemicals, an enlarger, etc. Plus there’s a completely different feel to the way the images are produced after the point and shoot part. Also, because of all the chemicals, film photography is more of a health hazard, especially color film!
Digital photography is all handled on the computer instead of in the dark room. You use a computer, photo editing program, and a printer to produce your photographs. Again it just feels different.
I’d suggest trying out both of them before making a decision. I prefer digital (because I can’t stand the smell of the dark room), but a lot of people really love film. And pinhole cameras only work in the dark room (they’re a lot of fun!).
They are ignoring the fact that there is only Photography (anything else is a branch of photography) and catering to the whims of a generation that doesn’t want in-depth instruction. -They make more money giving the ignorant what they want rather than actually taking the time to properly educate them.
The difference isn’t so much the camera as it is the recording medium. One is a photosensitive chemical reaction (film) and the other is a photosensitive electronic sensor (digital). If you know Photography you know both.
Processing to the end print!
For a course in film you will need to use darkroom space, which may be limited in the first semester.
For digital you will need access to a computer.
In the immediate to near future (5 to 10 years, to give an arbitrary time frame), it looks to me that film photography will be used for increasing specialized and high priced niche work – “fine art,” advertising, technical, often when large size prints are necessary. In other words, film will become the realm of the very narrow specialist selling to very limited small markets.
While the basic core of picture taking techniques are the same for both digital and film photography, the post processing is completely different and uses different equipment and has different costs.
I’d suggest you explore the above differences, and clarify what your interests are before making a heavy commitment to one type or the other.
Film Photography will always give you more accurate and realistic skin tones and gradients. Because it is more expensive to process, you will learn to get shots right in as few exposures as possible, proper composition, etc. Film is an art form.
Digital is convenient. Period. And far more fragile.
Photoshop can’t fix bad shots. I know, I use it everyday, all day as a graphics designer.
Instant gratification.
It is, or should be, just PHOTOGRAPHY.
Any photography course worth the money should be teaching all the basic aspects of photography and covering both film and digital.
All the basic aspects of photography, exposure, light, colour, composition are the same.
It is only the medium they are recorded on that is different.
Obviously there are technical differences between the different cameras but again, the basics are the same and until the light hits the film or sensor the lens, aperture and shutter are the same.