Size Matters

April 10, 2004

Lately I have been tempted to buy a film camera, a medium format film camera to be more precise.
Don't get me wrong I will be the first one to admit I am a diehard digital photographer. The combination of unparalleled control over the image coupled with how cheap digital can be is simply addictive.

Lets face it, when it comes to photography, size does matter. If you have ever had the privilege of seeing the humongous images of the likes of Andreas Gursky in person then you know how breathtaking an image of large proportions can be. By no means I am saying that Gursky's prints are breathtaking only because they are big but there is no denying that their size contributes a great deal to their appeal.

Unfortunately, as far as digital photography has come in recent years in terms of quality and price, there is nothing in the sub $7000 market (Canon 1Ds), close to the level of quality that a medium format negative scan can deliver.

So here I am, torn in between two worlds, the digital with all its conveniences and the analog world with all of its quirks and possibilities. That is life, you can't have your cake and eat it too, unless of course I can find some $7000 laying around somewhere.