This photographic technique, though easily reproducible with digital means, is only considered not a ‘trick’ if it’s done with film. However, I assert that even with film it’s a trick, you’re manipulating how your camera observe the quantum phenomena of light, and manipulating how that light is reproduced in the limited tones available on print paper (around 1/3rd of what is captured by the film). So those of you clinging to the notion that this is art and a digital reproduction of the technique is a trick, you’re not listening to what science has to say.
Observation manipulates reality. Film or digital, you’re not recording a scene, you’re interpreting it. The only difference is that film is harder and requires more planning. Digital is easier to capture, but requires a good eye and a better brain behind that good eye to not end up as just another bland but ‘good’ digital capture. In other words, it’s easier not to fuck up a picture with digital, but a higher baseline average just means a great photographer has to be that much better.
Nicer equipment can only do so much. A good snapshot taker will just have better snapshots, they won’t necessarily achieve greatness.
Remember, when you’re using crazy film, you’re just using some scientist’s pre-concocted tricks, instead of your own digital manipulation tricks. You’re irrevocably changing the nature of the photons that have impinged upon that film/sensor, and that disturbance (perturbation?) of the natural order of things is what creates your photograph (literal meaning: writing with light). So if photography means ‘writing with light’ and you are changing the nature of that light by changing the nature of the film, there is zero difference between film manipulation and digital manipulation.
It’s just harder to do film, more expensive, and inconvenient. That lends it an air of mystique, and most people can’t afford cameras or the time to learn the tricks to make digital shine the way film can.
But anything you can do with film science, I can ‘fake’ with digital science.
Tags: bitch bitch bitch, photography