Why are we being required to learn how to use film cameras?

Question

I've changed my major to journalism and am wondering why I have to take a class in photography using and developing film. Isn't it outdated? Are journalists really using film cameras today

Answer 1

Very few photojournalists are still using film.

BUT ... in order for you to understand the basics of photography - aperture, shutter speeds, exposure, lighting, composition, etc. ... in other words, all the tools you need in order to become a professional, it's still best to learn by doing. And getting a hands-on education with film is the way its going to be done for quite a while.

You might as well also know ... colleges and universities have huge amounts of money and resources committed to film - cameras, darkrooms, etc. It's going to take a while to transition those resources over to digital darkrooms - computers.

Sadly, the digital industry - particularly hardware makers! - have made it all too easy for beginners to think that all you have to do is push a button in Auto mode ... and if you screw up, hey, you can always fix it in Photoshop! Right?

The basic rules of photography are the same, regardless of the hardware, regardless of whether you're shooting film or digital.

So get with the program. It won't hurt you to learn things the right way.

Answer 2

Well thats because in order to learn and understand something you have to know where it came from. Without film photography there would be no digital photography. All the little effects on the digital camera all come from darkroom techniques and should be learned by anyone who seriously wants to be involved with digital photography. It will also give you some culture and awareness of the past. It is outdated it has just been forgotten due to technological advances. Many people are using film photography to boycott digital photography because they see it as a cop out. And I'm not sure if any journalists are still using classic photography but I'm sure at least one person is because I personally don't think it will ever completely go away just because we have digital photography to do all the "work" for us. I say try to get as much out of film photography as you can, who knows you may enjoy it.

Answer 3

I took up photography again after a break of 35 years or more, purely because of digital. I decided to do things right this time and enrolled on a course, 3 years part-time for Higher National Diploma. (Never do things by half!!) First thing I had to buy was a film camera. Thoroughly enjoyed being back in the darkroom, I even bought a Medium Format film camera as well. It's a couple of years now since I finished my course ( I passed) and I still enjoy using my film cameras as well as my DSLR. You'll find that using film makes you think much more about what you're doing before you press the button. You don't want to waste expensive film! Some of my modules involved using transparency film (slide film) at over £8 a roll, with another £8 for processing. £16 for 36 exposures. You don't want to mess up with those prices. Black and White, properly called Mono, comes in a lot cheaper. I don't think film use will ever die, there will always be enthusiasts, myself included, who enjoy doing their own processing.

Answer 4

Film is only outdated in a sense that if time time is of the essence to your project at hand then yes, it is outmoded. However, Edwin and Jim really made some good comments. It is true that many photo schools have a lot invested in film photography, and the transition to digital will be slow. Furthermore, when you are learning anything the best approach is typically to start from the basics and the same can be said about photography. Starting off with film will teach you the basics of how all cameras work, and most of all it will teach you how to think before you shoot instead of taking that machinegun approach to photography that many amatures take.
Furthermore, film does have different qualities as compared to digital, and you may find that for certain shots you may in fact want to shoot film if time permits. If you are not familiar with David Burnett, you should familiarize yourself with his name as he has been a photojournalist for some of the most respected names in the field of journalism, most notably National Geographic. Here is his website http://www.davidburnett.com/index.html
On a final note, he typically shoots film, and large film at that, a lot of times he shoots with 4x5 film because as he says it gives you that extra depth that most cameras film or digital cameras are unable to provide.

Answer 5

The same reason you have to take math, though not directly related, it still applies. Digital photography is easy, any moron with a camera can take a photograph, review it, decide whether it is properly exposed or whether it needs to be re-shot. Learning on film builds real skill, and being that it is harder, it'll force you to learn and be proficient if you know you've only got 36 exposures you can't check until developed. And film is NOT outdated nor is it obsolete. Some pros still shoot film. I love my nikon DSLR, I use it 98% of the time but if there is something I want to make beautiful, there is nothing like shooting fujichrome velvia 100F slide film. The very best images I have created have been shot using that film through my entry level canon 35mm SLR body. Digital is more versatile, but unless you drop 5 grand on pro bodies like the nikon D3 or canon 1Ds Mk III you will not surpass the resolution of a properly exposed and well composed 35mm chrome slide shot at ASA 50.

Answer 6

Photography is photography and whether you use film or digital, the concepts are similar.

Unless you want to specifically learn _film_ photography, you should probably find a course that will _require_ a digital SLR camera with its image editing workflow, etc. because this is what you will need to survive out there today.

HOWEVER, photography is photography and you will learn tons if your instructor is a great film photographer. In which case, run to the store and buy a film SLR (very cheap these days, so why not) and LEARN. Be sure to take additional courses to familiarize yourself with the digital workflow.

Answer 7

Well first what is Journalism? Is it not telling a story? Can you only tell a story with words? NO!

Thus enters Photo-Journalism - Telling a story with photos.

Why learn about film?

Everything about photography resorts back to film. Almost everything you will learn regarding Digital Photography has it's roots in film. If/when you get into Digital, you'll have the background to understand how things work and the origins of much of the terminology.

If you get to develop film, consider yourself lucky. It is a special time when you develop your first roll of film, or cut your first print.

Answer 8

Ahhh Grasshopper. One must first learn the secrets of the ancients before attempting the wonders of the present.

Actually, learning with a film camera gives you a good grounding in ISO, shutter speed, composition, f-stops, light and critical focusing. It also teaches you to actually think before releasing the shutter. You'll learn how to, and when to, compensate for exposure. You'll appreciate this later.

Every day there are several questions in here from people who have no idea about how to use their cameras - from digicams to DSLRs. Then there are the questions like this: "I took this really cool picture of my dog but its all blurry. How can I make it un-blurry?" (Answer: You really can't.)

My knock against digital photography is that it encourages what I call the "machinegun approach" to photography: Take 300 shots and hope 20 or 30 are actually worth keeping or spend innumerable hours in Photoshop trying to make a mediocre image marginally acceptable.

Answer 9

required learn film cameras

Answer 10

Film is the best teacher, those who shoot fine art use it, like anne geddes, annie lebowiz, david burnett et cetera.

Film is the best teacher, and everything else everyone before me said.

Those who never learnt film have missed most of the basics.

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