Tuesday, September 18, 2007

quick pix

This will probably make me sound old, but I'm amazed at how fast things happen these days.

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A hot lunch is ready in ninety seconds. Just nuke it.

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Who needs to mail belated birthday cards anymore, when you can send an e-card instantaneously? Plus, they're free!

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I took a picture recently and an eight-year-old raced up to me only to notice that my camera did not have his image on the back. I use film Sonny... No, I this is not a digital camera. Yes Junior, I see that you have one on your phone, and your dad has more functions than Batman on his PDA... go play.

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Now, I am warming up to the idea of generating my own images here, but things tend to fizzle if there is a delay between the original spark of inspiration and photo development. You know what I'm saying? I can sure appreciate the technology that allows someone take ONE picture and post it right away. Do you need to wait until the roll is used up? No.

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What about lost rolls? AAAAaaagh! I had my smaller son pose for some soccer pictures in the spring. Where are those pictures?? I don't know. The pictures were probably never even developed. Maybe the dog ate the roll of film.

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I took a picture of jelly beans today. When will you see the picture? Well, that depends on how long before I use up all the rest of the exposures. Let's see... right now I'm on... (looking) twelve. I have another twelve to go. Then, if I still have the gumption, I'll tell you the story behind the jelly bean picture.

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It's a fine line between appreciation and coveting, but I'm not talking about consuming tomatoes out of season, I'm simply marveling at the ability to catch something at the right time... fruit in its season.

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But since I have an SLR with film, I must learn to take the occasional picture and practice patience. Why do I hate waiting so much?

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Image by: wikipedia.org

20 comments:

Lara said...

The whole kids running to see themselves on the screen completely messed up videotaping for us. We'd just start the camera running and the cute little subject would disapear, only to be heard loudly saying, "Can I see? Can I see?". I gave up. I've been waiting until they're old enough to stop doing that.

Did I mention that I hate waiting too?

Halfmom, AKA, Susan said...

because you're human - which actually, is quite indearing

Cuckoo said...

Very good post Craver. Me too a fan of still photography and I use 36 exposure film !! You can imagine the wait period. :-)

Though now I have both types of cameras but I always prefer my still camera over the digicam for the simple reason of picture quality. Yes, there is a waiting period and other expenses involved with it but this is all worth when we see the end result.

I can understand how you feel.

Mark Goodyear said...

In my experience film works better than digital unless you have an SLR digital with a great lens (read $1000+ invested in a camera).

The problem for me, is that I have trouble hoarding my film. Digital cameras at least take away the fear of a bad picture. For every ten pics I take, one might be good. I'd burn through a lot of film at that rate.

And AMM, I can't tell you how many videos end with our son disappearing behind the camera to "see himself."

Every Square Inch said...

craver

It's funny how many of the items we view as mainstream are now oddities to our children -

camera with film? - "how quaint...just one question - how do you download it to Flickr?"

cassette tapes? - "wow, you mean you don't get to carry around 1 billion songs with you everywhere you go?"

From the techno - graveyard of the 1980s - walkman, betamax, cellphones the size of bricks (weighing just as much)

How time and technology flies when you're having fun.

Craver Vii said...

It has been said that there is a contrast in quality between digital and 35mm film. I don't doubt that, but when a picture is taken with the purpose of illustrating a blog story, I wonder if the lesser (digital) quality is so bad that it outweighs the time factor.

By the way, I saw a guy take pictures of stars in the night sky with a digital camera. And it worked!!

L.L. Barkat said...

I'm waiting to hear what happens to the dog. Film has to be about as nutritious as nuked food.

bEAST said...

Digital cameras did change a lot. I still remebering tinkering around my 1985 Yashica SLR. The thing has given me some of the most amazing results ever. Even my new digital Nikons don't live up to it. However there was more to it than just that. The whole process of getting the roll developed, choosing the photo paper and type of print. And then getting to hold the final output in your hands. The wait seemed worth it everytime that happened. Now with digital cameras, I find my self too lazy to get physical printouts. I guess I miss going insane about those underexposed rolls :)

Craver Vii said...

Welcome, bEAST! You have a Yashika? Sweet. Me too, but I have not used all the bells & whistles. You said you MISS going insane... as if you're not insane now? Buddy, I have seen your whacky comments at Cuckoo's blog, and well, they say admitting your condition would be the first step towards recovery. (grinning)

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen YOU admit your condition of being insane either, Craver. :-)

Anonymous said...

You need not to bite your daughter's fingers, that is for carnivores. The dahmer party doesn't like competition.

Craver Vii said...

Of COURSE I haven't admitted it... I don't want to be CURED. Hee-hee-hee, ha-ha-ha...

Kitty?

Anonymous said...

I'd have to agree with Marcus about the photo hoarding. I love my digital camera because I can snap a million pictures and not feel guilty. Everyone comments on how great my pictures are, but that's because they didn't see the ninety-nine other pictures I had to take to get the one great one.

Unknown said...

'cause learning patience hurts!

Mary said...

You would love a digital camera. When we got the one we have now, we were in love. I would never go back to using film and it was painful to have to buy a disposable camera when we were at WDW (and not many pictures came out that well). Alas, we are in the market again for a new digital camera since the one we have no longer works (it free, yet already damaged when we got it, so we knew it didn't have a long life). I'm looking to get a newer model of the kind we have now, either the Canon Powershot A630 or the A640. I LOVE that the screen flips closed rather than always being exposed.

If you ever decide to get a digital camera, research research on what best meets your needs. I'm sure Wes would be glad to help, too. Don't just settle for whatever is a cheap price, because as the old adage goes: you get what you pay for.

Cuckoo said...

Nice reply to bEAST, Craver.
I am glad someone can pin him down. *grinning*

He's hell of a beast. Ha Ha... And he's anxiously waiting for interview questions from me ! :P

Lin said...

Craver, before moving off-grid, we donated all our SLRs and just kept my digi camera. I think you're right; just how much photo quality do you really need for a blog?
And it is wonderful to be able to write about a new event while it is fresh in your mind and you have the photo right there to spur you on.

Bill Gnade said...

Dear Mr. Craver,

There is something romantic about film. I still have five working film SLRs; I only recently jumped -- fully -- into the digital age. And now that I am shooting digital? Well, perhaps the romance is over.

Film involves so much time -- and money -- and fuel -- and space -- and chemistry. Digital, while perhaps leaving a far more destructive footprint on the planet, at least feels less consumptive than film. Yes, there is nothing like looking at a properly exposed and well-composed transparency on a light table. But when it comes to ease of composition, exposure, image management, filing, and transmission, digital can't be beat. I even feel I am taking better pictures now, now that I can immediately see the final effects of my exposure choices. I can't tell you how many images were a total waste in my film years, and I am a pro! Yes, I still have throwaway shots, but now there is really nothing to throw away.

Get a decent digital SLR; always sink the bulk of your money into lenses. You will find that you will not miss film at all.

Yes, there is something romantic about ratcheting the film advance, or hearing the whirring click of a motor drive. But it is really only about as romantic as 8-track tape cassettes.

Of course, I may change my mind in a day or two. Who knows?

Peace to you, and good luck!

Bill Gnade

Mary said...

My intention here is not to argue, but I would say that for the casual/average picture taker would not need an digital SLR camera. They are wonderful and I love the quality of the pictures, but not financially sensible for the every day person who is just snapping a few pictures for a blog or of a previously mentioned camping trip. If the picture taking was intended to be more of a specific hobby in which the person was really serious about delving into photography, yes, an SLR camera would be a great choice.

Personally, I'm in love with the Nikon D80. But at the cost it's at, it makes no sense for me to purchase a camera like that for the types of situations I find myself taking pictures of. On the other hand, a girlfriend of mine bought that specific Nikon when she decided to start her own photography business (she wound up doing a photoshoot of my and Wes). I think digital SLR cameras are great, but a decent one can be costly and may be "overkill" depending on the need of the person.

Just my 2 cents. :)

Craver Vii said...

Believe me, if I could afford a digital SLR with a general purpose macro plus one ginormous lens, I would do it!! Then, I would be happy. (That, plus those gymshoes that flash little blinking led lights with every impact.) I like hovering back subliminally and taking long distance candids so much better than getting up in peoples' faces.