I have ben reading a lot about digital versus analog or film photography lately.   A lot of the arguments centre around the economical advantage of digital photography; it costs less to make many images, versus the (perceived) more considered approach of film photography.  I use a mixture of both, but I mainly make my photos with a digital camera.  Having said that, I really like the manual approach of analog photography, but then I am a bit of a romantic when it comes to old cameras. I love holding them and admire the design of some of the classic cameras.  However, for my daily work flow, I don't want to spend time in a dark room and play with chemicals.  I would rather spend time sitting in my thinking chair, holding an old camera and ponder my concept for my next shoot, which I will then execute most likely with one of my digital cameras.  

There are a number of photographers, especially younger ones, who are returning to film cameras for the sake of the "art" of photography.  

Some of the arguments are; 'it lets me better focus on my photos' ... 'analog cameras slow me down and allow me to concentrate more on the composition' … etc.  I agree that slowing down and taking fewer photos is a better way to work, rather than making a few hundred photos in a session.  It all seems to be part of the retro trend that is happening in the developed world.  Think Instagram, Hipstamatic and any number of retro analog apps for your digital smartphone. Lets go back to the future. 

But I don't think it has anything to do with your camera. There is a kind of digital greed that can happen with your digital equipment. I see people pointing the camera at anything that remotely interests them and clicking away.  "I can always edit or delete that photo later", is the motto.  Just because you can does not mean you have too!  I know, I have fallen for that trap many times.

Recently I have discovered a digital compromise method that is guaranteed to not only slow me down, but also satisfies my lust for analog technology and digital convenience. I have started work in full manual mode and I have equipped my digital camera with old analog lenses.  This way I have to slow down and I will spend more time creating my composition. 

Ultimately any camera can be used to make images, but what really matters is not how you make them but why you make them. 

 

I wonder what the equivalent of a writer's block is for a photographer? As painter I am often daunted by the blank canvas.  The only way to get a painting started is to make a mark, any mark, on the canvas. 

When I am out taking pictures, it can sometimes  be just as hard  to get a photo.  My only preconceived idea is to take photos that show a sense of time and place. Digital photography allows many ways of doing this;  shooting a lot of images is not a problem. So making a mark is not what stops me; it's finding the right conceptual idea.  

I have two choices; either I click away in the hope of capturing something special in the process, or I slow down and observe what is around me. Both methods will result in images, but usually with different outcomes.  

My way out of this dilemma is to remind myself what is visually important, and finding my rhythm is my guide.  If I am setting out to do street photography, I may choose to concentrate on taking photos of emotions, colour or gestures.  Focusing on the one concept limits my options and strengthens my visual narrative.  I am usually in favour of slowing down and taking less photos if I find myself stuck.  

The second option, is to just shoot away and work with a fast rhythm. This method can also serve to unlock the creative process.  When I use this method there is no time to think, I only react.

As with most artistic processes, it's all about selection and curation, even as I am shooting.  I also have to trust my instincts and let the camera do it's work.  My best images usually come when I don't think too  much.

Call it stage fright, camera shy or a creative block, finding my visual rhythm liberates my imagination. 

Photo: A ' Quick' Silver Moment R.W. Schatz 

'The gods had condemned Sisyphus to ceaselessly rolling a rock to the top of a mountain, whence the stone would fall back of its own weight. They had thought with some reason that there is no more dreadful punishment than futile and hopeless labor.' Albert Camus