The Digital Luddite . . .

Rio Grande Botanical Gardens, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Think you need an expensive digital (DSLR) camera to get great photos? The picture above was taken with a 25 year old Minolta film SLR camera (Minolta X-370 purchased used on ebay.com for $75.00. The lens was also an exceptional bargain--an 18 year old Vivitar 70-150mm 3.8 lens along with a Nikon close up attachment purchased for $45.00 total (also ebay.com). The film is a widely available (purchased at Walmart) Fuji 100 ASA consumer print film purchased for $1.75 per roll and 1 hour processed (at the same Walmart) for $6.00 (including prints).

This is one web designer willing to wait for the prices of digital to come down quite a bit more before making the upgrade. I am not cheap, but do want the most value for my hard earned dollars. Meanwhile, I am enjoying the incredible quality that the mechanical photographic marvels of yesteryear provide. Besides, I'd rather spend my money on good restaurants and travel.

There is another nagging, (and perhaps, more important) reason why I stick to film for my more "artistic" photography. Digital does not yet seem to have the "soul" or artistry of film. To me, it's like the argument for old vinyl based albums vs modern cd's. Or, the difference between listening to live musicians and a synthesizer. There is a certain warmth, or depth, to film that I just don't see captured in digital yet. Am I crazy for feeling that way. Are there others out there who feel the way I do? Leave a comment. Let your voice be heard!

Here is another photo taken with the same "out-dated" camera:

Easter Lily, shot in early morning window light.