With a new day job that requires my full attention (and more), coupled with increasing calls on my home time amongst other things, I took the decision to update my digital equipment to something a little more “current”. This is to supplement/replace my workhorse Bronica SQa set up. The logic being that I will at least cut out time for scanning from my workflow (doesn’t that make it sound so pretentious?). You still have to spend time spotting though I have re-discovered!
One thing that has immediately struck me is that I feel (for the moment at least) that I’m not connecting with what I’m shooting with a 35mm digital camera – using a Bronica SQa you look down on a screen that is 6cm sq and is the same size as the negative that you will produce. Using a a clear 6cm sq viewfinder you get to explore and ponder (as often I do) before you press the shutter release (or after a lot of pondering, decide to pack everything away having taken nothing). Assuming you’re using a tripod, with digital you’re bending over, getting uncomfortable and peering through a tiny eye piece trying to compose and focus your shot – no time to ponder and think.
From that I’m getting no satisfaction out of taking my photographs just now, perhaps its more of the process of taking a picture that is the thing for me as opposed to the final result. So I’m not sure through trying to improve things in one area, and through spending a chunk of cash in the process, that I have improved things for myself in terms of my enjoyment of photography.
Only time will tell.
Let’s see how it goes ?
Indeed – just need to get back in to the swing of things. There is I think a certain skill element in film photography that isn’t there in digital. You have to have a certain confidence and understanding to take your shot with film and move on (or maybe take one more for good luck), where as with digital, you keep adjusting until you get it right. (And with more modern camera’s review on your iPad in real time)
I think that you have it right with “supplement” as opposed to “replace” – have both and enjoy. I’m going through a “meh” phase with my landscape work. I have the images, just waiting for the word muse to strike. I’m content to let it sit and bubble away. That’s the wonderful thing about creativity. Also the most annoying! There is nothing wrong with the process either…athletes need to train train train. It’s dull. Boring. But they don’t get the result unless they do. Same for photographers
Thanks Guy.
Perhaps what didn’t help on my recent trip was the weather, which to use your word was very “meh”. 3rd wettest July on record. So opportunities to engage whilst not getting wet and/or blow over were few and far between. This all needs time to adjust and get some of my learnt activities retuned to digital.