"Mr. Digital" strikes again

[traveler_101]

I have a German friend (true confessions 😀) who delights in predicting the end of the analog world, while I prefer to predict the end of the European Union. 😱

Here is a recent e-mail: "Kodak is gone, Facebook paid much money for Instagram, an application that can make digital pictures look like analog film. Welcome to the new world."

Any comments for Mr. Digital?

 

[Teuthida]

Tell him he's correct.

 

[shadowfox]

There is a 50-50 chance that Mr. Digital will actually like to use film (I assume he had never tried it). I would see him as a potential soul that still could be saved 😀 😀

 

[doolittle]

Here is a recent e-mail: "Kodak is gone, Facebook paid much money for Instagram, an application that can make digital pictures look like analog film. Welcome to the new world."

Any comments for Mr. Digital?

Tell him that's the end for Instagram so.

 

[bulevardi]

Tell him that some people like to make pictures themselves, while others like a software to do this for them. Everyone has it's choice and taste...

Some friend of mine likes to listen guitar music (listening only), while I like it too with the difference that I like to play the guitar itself aswel.

 

[Trius]

Ignore him. It either will or won't happen. If he invests himself in the veracity of his own opinions so strongly, well then ... so what?

 

[btgc]

Is your friend relating end of film with more global events at end of 2012? I think, he has a point. Tell him in case of this scenario film photography will live longer than digital.

 

[traveler_101]

That's right: Mr. Digital has never tried film, and maybe he can be redeemed, but he is a self-proclaimed "modernist" who doesn't see much use in old technologies or techniques. Modernist is the wrong word. Of course, if this attitude had been universally adapted after the invention of film photography, painting would have disappeared in the 19th century. And it is absolutely true that using tools to create an object yourself, whether a photograph or a piece of furniture, is always intrinsically more valuable than having a program or a factory produce something automatically. Its not the old machine versus hand, but tools operated by hand versus automatism. Perhaps the advice to ignore him is the wisest option then.

But I am a little curious: can anyone say anything about this new technology, Instagram? Does it or some other program actually replicate b&w film? Most digital b&w I have seen is so obviously not film.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Tell him that digital is indeed good enough for the masses and that you hope he enjoys it.

 

[jarski]

Tell him that some people like to make pictures themselves, while others like a software to do this for them.

in process POV yes. but if end results are compared, Instagram, Hipstamatic etc. vs. fuzzy Polaroid or Holga photo do often look alike. least when seen on usual web resolution. and in both cases, guy behind the camera did exactly same thing: pressed the button.

... Instagram? Does it or some other program actually replicate b&w film? Most digital b&w I have seen is so obviously not film.

its like Photoshop effect(s) rendered to image in smartphone. perhaps because cameras and lenses in these devices havent been as good as "real things", helps to add some "character" to the files also.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Tell him that digital is indeed good enough for the masses and that you hope he enjoys it.

Yea, reverse snobbery could be a good retort. Why loose sleep over it, time will tell if he is right or not. You don't have to justify why you things a certain way and are happy doing so.

Bob

 

[robbeiflex]

Get him one of these and tell him you are enjoying your retirement while he has to keep working:

http://www.petapixel.com/2011/09/23/analog-retirement-t-shirt-by-bustedtees/

Cheers,
Rob

 

[Speedfreak]

"Kodak is gone, Facebook paid much money for Instagram, an application that can make digital pictures look like analog film. Welcome to the new world."

Any comments for Mr. Digital?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dot-com_bubble

 

[Trius]

in process POV yes. but if end results are compared, Instagram, Hipstamatic etc. vs. fuzzy Polaroid or Holga photo do often look alike. least when seen on usual web resolution.

"Usual web resolution" is not a print and is ephemeral. In that sense, it is of no interest to me. I like finals over previews.

 

[hometext]

I once believed; it was to look after someone else." ~Philip Norman

 

[paradoxbox]

what happens when your digital camera gets wet?