Exploring Film Photography

Overview

This document analyzes the resurgence of film photography, examining both its cost and unique attributes compared to digital photography. It highlights why film is gaining popularity again despite its higher expenses and discusses the technical aspects that differentiate film from digital media.

Cost Comparison

• Black-and-White Film: Less than $0.2 per shot.
• Medium Format Reversal Film: $2.5 per frame.
• Color Large Format Film: $15 per shutter press.
• Super 35mm Film for Movies: Nearly $150 per minute.
• IMAX Film: Approximately ¥550 per minute.

Reasons for Film's Enduring Popularity

• Used by both enthusiasts and in Oscar-nominated films.
• Some companies are reviving film production lines.
• Film's aesthetic value is hard to replicate digitally.

Technical Aspects

Image Capture

• Film: Uses photochemistry; silver halide grains react to light, creating a negative image.
• Digital: Uses CMOS sensors; converts light to digital signals using photodiodes and circuits.

Development Process

• Film development requires a darkroom and involves irreversible chemical reactions.
• Color-negative film has layers sensitive to different colors (blue, green, red) with dye couplers.
• Reversal film provides vibrant colors but is costlier and less forgiving with exposure.

Comparative Analysis

• Film vs. Digital in Resolution:
  • Full-frame film lacks sharpness compared to digital.
  • Medium and large formats can rival digital sharpness due to larger exposure areas.
• Dynamic Range:
  • Film offers smooth highlight transitions and unique effects like halation.
  • Digital excels in low-light conditions.

Film's Artistic Value

• Film allows for creative experimentation with different rolls, development methods, and scanners.
• It supports unique styles, such as infrared photography, at a lower cost than digital infrared set-ups.

Long-Term Preservation

• Film is favored for archiving due to its stable analog properties.
• Notable usages include Disney archiving digital movies and high-quality rescans of historical footage like Michael Jackson's MVs.

Conclusion

Film is more than just a nostalgic medium; it offers distinct visual qualities and adaptability that continue to attract artists and filmmakers. While it is no longer mainstream, its role in capturing and preserving high-quality images ensures its persistence.

Personal Takeaway

• It's the artistry and the power of film as a medium that make it appealing rather than the technical superiority over digital.
• Encouragement to try film for capturing memories with a unique touch.