Photography: From Film to Digital
Simply put, photography is the taking of photographs. In a more technical sense, photography is a process wherein pictures are taken by capturing light on film or electronic sensor.
People engage in photography either for business or pleasure. Hobby photographers take photos for personal enjoyment and fulfillment; professional photographers take photos for a living, whether it’s fashion, advertising, wedding, fine art photography or landscape photography.
Photography has advanced significantly over the past few years. Before the advent of digital cameras, film cameras were widely used. Today, however, digital cameras are becoming more and more popular.
“Once the 35mm film SLR camera was the camera to own but now, there are digital SLR cameras like the Canon Rebel Xti that give the photographer great results with less frustration than their film counterparts” says
Types of Photography
There are three main types of photography: black-and-white photography, color photography and digital photography.
* Black-and-white photography
Black-and-white photography is also known as monochrome photography. The early photographs and many photographs today are still in black and white. This type of photography continued to dominate for several decades even with the advent of color film, mainly because it was inexpensive and gave photographs that classic look. “Today Black-and-white photography is associated with “fine art” photography, as in the style of Ansel Adams landscape photos or the George Hurrell style of Hollywood portraits” says professional digital photographer Bob Dale.
It should be noted, however, that monochrome photos are not always strictly black and white; there are other hues as well based on the processed used. For instance, the Cyanotype process is used in monochrome photography that results in blue and white images, instead of black and white.
* Color photography
In the mid-1800s, experiments on color photography began. During this time, color couldn’t be fixed on the photographs and the color couldn’t be prevented from fading. In 1861, however, a physicist named James Clerk Maxwell took the first permanent color photograph. Back then, three cameras were used to take color photos, with the lens on each of the three cameras having a color filter in front of it.
It wasn’t until 1907 with the introduction of Autochrome that color photography took off. In 1932, Agfa introduced Agfacolor, a color film. In 1935, Kodak came out with Kodachrome, the first modern integrated tri-pack color film, which significantly simplified film processing. In 1963, Polaroid introduced the instant color film.
* Digital photography
Digital photography uses digital technology to capture and create images. Unlike film photography, digital photography does not use photographic film for creating images. Images are instead stored in electronic media, such as a memory card in the camera.
Digital photos can be displayed, stored, manipulated and disseminated electronically. They can be printed without having to undergo chemical processing; photos can be printed directly from the camera or from the computer to a laser, inkjet or thermal print on photo or regular paper.
Professional Photographers and the Digital Camera
Many portrait photographers and wedding photographers use digital SLR cameras to take digital photos like the Nikon D300. Portrait photographers choose to use a digital SLR because it enables them to provide digital proof sheets to customers instantly, making it easier and quicker to create the photos.
Most wedding photographers now use digital SLRs in their wedding photography business because these cameras enable them to take pictures of the wedding ceremony discretely, without using flash. Cameras like the Canon Mark III are good choices. At the wedding reception, they can take high quality photos of the bride’s wedding dress, the wedding cake, and wedding guests with a digital SLR that has a zoom lens.
Digital Photography is More Accessible Now
Owning a digital camera is now easier than ever. The price for an entry-level camera has dropped significantly over the past few years, and this can be attributed to increased competition among digital camera manufacturers. There are small digital cameras that cost under $200, and these are great for the casual photographer who just wants to take pictures of friends and family.
Taking Digital Photography to the Next Level
As you become more experienced in digital photography, you may want to bring your hobby to the next level with a more advanced digital camera. You may even want to make a living off digital photography.
