Awhile back, I learned that cameras requiring film to be developed (with chemicals) have been phased out. Although I enjoy digital photography, it hadn't occured to me that film cartridges were going the way of the dinosaur.
I remember clearly getting a small Kodak 110 camera as a young lad. I constantly took random pictures (many I'm sure including a big blurry thumb) and sent them off to be developed once the roll was finished. After a few days of waiting, I would tear through the envelope and admire my photos. Often I would be disappointed by an out-of-focus or over-exposed shot, but the thrill of finding out how my pictures turned out was undeniable.
With today's technology, photography is a different beast. It's possible to view results instantly, and trash photos that don't make the cut. Continually elevating pixel quality and easy-to-use cameras mean that just about anyone can get that 'perfect shot'.
Although I appreciate modern photography, I miss the sense of anticipation I got from awaiting my pictures return from the lab, as well as the surprise in viewing the results (rarely did a photo match my recollection of what I thought I captured while peering throught the view-finder).
It saddens me a bit that photography has evolved to mirror our world of instant 'gratification'; today's cameras are far superior to my plastic Kodak wind-and-click, but an exciting aspect of the experience of taking pictures, simple patience, has been forever lost.
No comments:
Post a Comment