Are we Luddites?

[kshapero]

I like manual cameras that use film. Am I a Luddite? Or is there something to this? Warning I have been shooting this genre for over 40 years. My whole Gestalt is at stake (sic).

😱😱

 

[back alley]

my cameras/lenses may shoot film but they are brand new, electronic auto metered and the lenses are state of the art.

what, me luddite?

 

[FrankS]

Probably yes, but if we're happy, that's all that matters.

 

[40oz]

as long as you aren't tossing your wooden shoes into machines, you're fine 🙂

BTW, what's so bad about being a Luddite? 🙂

 

[kshapero]

Then there is hope. Not that town in Arkansas.

 

[jlw]

Luddites were opposed to all machinery, whereas a mechanical camera and the film that it uses both require a vast mechanical infrastructure: mines, mills, fabricating plants, machine tools, precision measuring instruments, standardized fasteners and all the rest. A precision mechanical camera is one of the ultimate Machine Age artifacts -- it would have been impossible to make such a thing without this huge edifice of matter and craft.

Maybe it's the post-machine-age photographer -- the one who's suspicious of gears, springs, levers, and chemistry -- who deserves this label. Digi-Luddites, anyone?

 

[Solinar]

Am I a Luddite? It depends on whether you still shoot with a medium format folder.

I prefer human intelligence over artificial intellegence.

 

[rogue_designer]

In the original sense of the word? No.

In the common usage? Probably.

 

[VinceC]

People shooting daguerrotypes and wet plates -- they have issues.

The rest of us, I think we're okay.

 

[visiondr]

People shooting daguerrotypes and wet plates -- they have issues.

The rest of us, I think we're okay.

LOL You're killin' me man!

 

[VinceC]

A quote from www.wetplate.com:

"Wet plate is the perfect syntax for my work. I use it as a metaphor as it relates to abandonment. The process was abandoned and forgotten, just as most marginalized people are by the mainstream...."

And, of course, they have their own forum:

http://www.collodion.com/forum/default.asp

Alas, it is not open to browsing visitors -- except for the history forum. For the rest, you need to register first.

 

[kshapero]

I like what I have started.

 

[amateriat]

I like what I have started.

As well you should. I like, as well.


- Barrett

 

[Athena]

I like manual cameras that use film. Am I a Luddite? Or is there something to this? Warning I have been shooting this genre for over 40 years. My whole Gestalt is at stake (sic).

😱😱

No, you are not a Luddite.

You do not "smash" machines in attempt to stop "progress", do you?

You are, perhaps as am I and those here who also use film photography, a "traditionalist" and "preservationist".

If that bothers you then you should move on to digital technology.

If, OTOH, that excites you, as it does me, then welcome to the club.

 

[wlewisiii]

People shooting daguerrotypes and wet plates -- they have issues.

The rest of us, I think we're okay.

Not shooting wet plates - yet 🙂 I intend to learn so that if film does go the way of the edison cylinder, I can at least still turn silver salts into an image.

That said, it's simply because I enjoy puttering around with that kind of thing. I don't dislike or fear tech or the like and have a heck of a lot of fun with my cell phone camera 😀 But I enjoy the feel & process of using the various analog means as well.

William

 

[kshapero]

I am staying put. Tri-X forever!!!

 

[f8&go]

Not a Luddite, but I'd like to think of myself as
the banana peel on the footpath of Progress.

 

[kshapero]

any response back alley?

 

[mfunnell]

"Standing firmly athwart history, and yelling 'STOP!'" is a quotation that comes to mind 🙂

...Mike

[editorial]William F. Buckly Jr. is, I think, the person I have in mind. (Mind you, this is all from memory.) While don't think highly of him or his publication, I can live with both (which is more than I can say for some of his "competitors".)[/editorial]

 

[amateriat]

No, you are not a Luddite.

You do not "smash" machines in attempt to stop "progress", do you?

You are, perhaps as am I and those here who also use film photography, a "traditionalist" and "preservationist".

If that bothers you then you should move on to digital technology.

If, OTOH, that excites you, as it does me, then welcome to the club.

Yes, indeed, you got the gist, if not the...never mind, old, piggy joke (from an ex-GF, in the name of full disclosure).

Nonetheless, you nailed it. No real Luddites here. 🙂


- Barrett