Streamline Film Workflow "Digital Age"

[shaunmlavery]

Ok, so I am a product of the digital age, more or less. No, my first camera was not a DSLR but that was the first camera I truly learned how to control a camera.

On to my question...

I shoot a M8. I love it. I love the style of shooting, the simplicity of the camera, the manual controls, etc. I feel like this camera was made for me. I got an M6 some time back and loved it more than my M8.2 I had so I sold it and shot the M6 exclusively. I bought a 4000ED and me and the M6 were pals.

Fast forward a bit, and I now have a M8 back in hand and I just got a M4 because I missed that M6 so much. The only thing I didn't miss about the M6 was its baggage. The processing and scanning. At times, it is no problem but I live in a place where film is not really affordable nor commonplace. It is alien.

Really what I am trying to say is, I love the results of my M6 but love the compactness and simplicity of the M8. Not having to store chemicals and a scanner in an environment you don't have room to, the M8 just came out on top. Maybe I bought this M4 on a whim? It is starting to sound like it.

I wish there was an affordable way to streamline the film workflow in this digital age to eliminate clutter and excess baggage. I am a simple and frugal person to the core and the film workflow just brings me down with all the excess.

Am I alone?

 

[BobYIL]

As far as B&W is concerned, do you like the the pictures from your M8 better than those from your film M?

 

[shaunmlavery]

To me, I think B&W, when done right, can't be beat from film. However, if you aren't good at developing/scanning then you are almost shooting yourself in the foot at times.

I love the feel, character and atmosphere of film. When I went back to the M8, I just felt like I was look at clean computer files all the time, which in a sense, I am. Did that come out right?

 

[BobYIL]

Since almost half a century it was the same reason made me keep on developing my own film.. But what is being good at developing and/or scanning film other than following some basic instructions? Once you achieve the quality you wished, simply stick to your processing habits.

Printing in darkroom or PP is totally different though.. It is more "creativeness" in expression compared to obtaining the image first.

 

[Neare]

Yeah, film comes with baggage however that is what makes it what it is. It is a physical process to create an image. You really need to get into an actual darkroom to understand why film is a entirely different photographic medium.

I have always seen digital likened to painting in photoshop, be that with a tablet, touch screen or whatever. The full film workflow is more alike using an actual brush and paint. Neither method is wrong, and digital has many clear advantages over paint itself. But if you want to learn the art and achieve the results of watercolour and acrylic methods etc., then there is no alternative.

I am very thankful for the baggage.

 

[shadowfox]

Yeah, film comes with baggage however that is what makes it what it is. It is a physical process to create an image. You really need to get into an actual darkroom to understand why film is a entirely different photographic medium.

That sentence is worth repeating.

The importance of giving printing a try is so frequently understated. A lot of us think that we know what film photography is just because we snap the photo and develop the film.

As for "baggage" you have to think like the frog: "Time's fun when we're having flies."

 

[shaunmlavery]

Neare,

I completely agree with you. I always felt jaded when I shot film only to scan it to turn it into something it was not. I enjoyed dodging and burning in photoshop because I have never been taught the right way to do it in a darkroom.

I developed my own film and been in darkrooms where prints were being made, it was magic! I still got the chills seeing something like that taking place. I guess what I am slowly answering for myself is, I don't think "I" can afford to shoot film how "I" want to. I see film, in my mind, as something special and it should be treated that way throughout the whole process. Shooting film just to take it to the drug store to get scans is not what I am after.

I guess, I am simply better off shooting the M8 until I find a darkroom that I can share with someone or I have a setup of my own. Right now, neither of that is possible.

My M6 made me see light better but my M8 allows me to shoot more.

My M6 made me smart, my M8 makes me, in some sense, dumb.

I think those are the reasons why I picked up an M4 again. Thanks for all your responses. I think I have some clarity for now.