Podcast: Film versus Digital Imaging, with Harvey Wang

11/18/2015Link6

Have you ever shot film?  Do you still shoot film? Does it make a difference in your work? Is your work defined by it? This episode of the B&H Photography Podcast addresses an issue that is still at the heart of photography—does the medium you choose affect the way you work and, ultimately, the images you produce?  With the recent release of his book, From Darkroom to Daylight, we will talk with photographer Harvey Wang and with writer and photographer Todd Vorenkamp about the differences between shooting film and shooting digital images. From the perspectives of those who grew up shooting film and those who did not, we’ll discuss working process, technological developments, quality of images and yes—nostalgia. Wang will also recount from his book conversations on this subject with legendary photographers such as Eugene Richards, Elliott Erwitt, Sally Mann, and George Tice.

Guests: Harvey Wang and Todd Vorenkamp

 

To listen to this week’s episode: Listen to or download on SoundCloud, or subscribe to the B&H Photography Podcast on iTunes; Stitcher; SoundCloud; or via RSS.

  Alfred Gescheidt, 2011 Sally Mann, 2012 Steven Sasson, 2009

Photos by Harvey Wang 
 

Photos by Todd Vorenkamp

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Host: Allan Weitz
Producer: John Harris
Engineer: Jason Tables
Executive Producers: Bryan Formhals, Mark Zuppe

6 Comments

Tim Floyd
7 years ago

Really great discussion on a topic I thought was dead.  It caused me to pull out a film camera again and shoot.  It was a nostalgic experience.  I found myself making one, maybe two, exposures rather than several of a subject.  I forgot about the anticipation of seeing the images, as well as the disappointment at exposure or focus errors.  The idea of silver crystals as the storage device, rather than electrons, makes me want to archive my best digital photos with a silver conversion.  I really enjoy all your podcasts and look forward to the next one, or as in this case, digging through your archives.

John Harris
7 years ago

Thank you so much Tim, its great to know that some of our earlier episodes are still getting a listen and the resurgence of interest in film is growing by leaps and bounds ... a black and white slide film that I used to love was actually just re-introduced.  Thanks again

Louis Botha
8 years ago

Just released a coffee table book "SLOW DOWN look again..." all captured with a 1956 Hasselblad loaded with 120mm Ilford b&w film! Shoot digital also but feel there is a need and a place for both...

John Harris
8 years ago

absolutely!  Thanks for the comment Louis.

Ralph Hightower
8 years ago

Great podcast.I happen to shoot both film and digital. I still shoot with my Canon A-1 that I bought new in 1980; I added a used F-1N in July 2013 and a 5D Mk III in December 2013, so I am late coming into the digital age. I turned off the image review on my 5D since I don't use that feature.

I enjoy shooting both film and digital. I'll continue to shoot film as long as it doesn't become prohibitively expensive in film and developing costs.