Digital Imaging vs Photography

[The Ruptured Duck]

First class in photography was yesterday morning, and my prof was a hardline film supporter.  When I mentioned that I just bought a nice digital SLR, he lectured the class on the difference between photography and digital imaging (digital photography).  He mentioned the National Geographic pyramid controversy, and stated that using a digital camera was not photography.  I felt kinda like an asshole boasting about my camera afterwards because anytime he mentioned anything digital, he looked right at me.

After class, I went to work, then back to class (2.5 hours of French) and I couldn't get it off my mind.  I can see his viewpoint, but is using a synthisizer not music?  Or is a digitally designed concept car not art?

Does anyone share this opinion?

BTW:  I had the shortest hair in the entire class

[Aerophile]

I think the guy sounds like he's a little set in his ways. Digital photography in my opinion is still photography.  Check out Photo Forum. It's a great forum, in addition to this one of course  ;), if you are serious about photography.  There's more to it than just aviation photos.  Plus, you can learn a lot of different techniques, tips, and tricks.  Good luck with the class.

[BAW0343]

No offense to your teacher but thats Bullnuts

Who cares what media the image is taken on, I dare you to take two photos, one with a film, then one with digital, have them both developed at the same place and see if he can tell the difference.

He seems to be set in his ways obviously as there is nothing wrong with digital photography, its still photography. I'd suggest you stick with it as it takes the same skill to take a picture with a digital camera as it does with a film. The only dramatic difference comes down to development of film.

I don't know exactly what the class is but you should turn all of your work in with digital prints just to prove although its digital, its still photography.

Sorry the post is a little scattered but overall, your teacher has no idea what hes talking about when it comes to digitals. All he is doing is expressing his opinion and pretending its fact. He can stick with film as its his preferred method but to say digital is not photography... I don't think I can post on here what I really want to say.

[beaky]

If it uses a machine that manipulates light in some way to save an image, it's photography.
And film images can be hoaxed as well as digitals, if not as easily... that's been around since the camera was invented.

If he likes film better, that's fine... but to say digital photography is not photography?

One word sums this up: SNOB.

[Rifleman]

So my question to your all-knowing teacher is just this.........

"Since you shoot film, is what you do really not photography, since real photography started by using glass plates and not film !".........

Get with the times Teach.......I learned to shoot

[The Ruptured Duck]

Thanks guys, I now have some ammo for when I walk in tomarrow morning with my new DSLR!

[beaky]

So my question to your all-knowing teacher is just this.........

"Since you shoot film, is what you do really not photography, since real photography started by using glass plates and not film !".........

Nice one!!

[beaky]

Thanks guys, I now have some ammo for when I walk in tomarrow morning with my new DSLR!

Here's another: the camera obscura, a device often used to magnify an image and project it onto a canvas for the artist to paint on, was around hundreds of years before glass plate photography!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_obscura

So unless you have brushes and palette (and a funny hat, I guess), you are not doing photography!!

[Tweek]

He'd soon feel bitter about it if amateur photographers came out with better images than him, on a digital camera. Which they would.

I bet he hasn't a clue about the workings of Photoshop, or similar programs, and as such, would come away with some pretty dreadful looking images, compared to what could be described as 'advanced amateur' standards. The only difference between film and digital is that your roll of film is replaced with a memory card, and your lightroom is replaced with a paint program.

[expat]

He mentioned the National Geographic pyramid controversy

Could someone enlighten me please.

Matt

[The Ruptured Duck]

He mentioned the National Geographic pyramid controversy

Could someone enlighten me please.

Matt

 National Geographic did a feature on the pyramids.

[Papa9571]

The February 1982 cover photo of Egypt pyramids were squeezed together to fit the covers vertical format using a Scitex computer digitizer.

A picture story on Poland in April of the same year contained a cover photograph that combined an expression on a man's face in one frame with a complete view of his hat in another picture. Both cover images were altered without a hint of possible detection and without a note to readers that such manipulation was performed.

[Brett_Henderson]

Digital cameras (notice I didn't say digital photography?), have long since advanced to the point where there's little, if any dispute. The resolution rivals, and color accuracy are actually better than film. There's just as much difference between a quality digital camera and one brand of film; as there is between two brands of film.

For a long time.. resolution was the deal breaker... But a 6+ mega-pixel digital camera has the resolution to match even ASA100 35mm film when it comes to images (prints) up to 8.5X11... and for higher resolution work.. there are plenty of medium format, professional cameras with MPs in the god knows what range ( 20+MP ?).

My brother taught me the secret to taking great photos .. "Shoot lots of film ! "... so along those lines.. digital cameras are superior to film... You can snap away for a fraction of the cost

[Vapour01]

[quote]
My brother taught me the secret to taking great photos .. "Shoot lots of film ! "... so along those lines.. digital cameras are superior to film... You can snap away for a fraction of the cost

[Tom...]

My brother taught me the secret to taking great photos .. "Shoot lots of film ! "... so along those lines.. digital cameras are superior to film... You can snap away for a fraction of the cost  :)

Not every-one agrees with your brother, I pick my shots, I don't just click and hope.

You sound somewhat like a Sniper  :o  ;D