Digital vs. Film for the Younger Generation

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

05/25/2006 10:09:41 AM · #1

What do you say when people argue for film photography and against digital? Got a few (very vocal and annoying) parents and administrators who don't want to see digital photography become a part of my middle school graphic arts program. They argue that the expense and effort are not worth the conversion from film to digital. What I think is they're afraid the kids will get into digital photography and actually demand more and better equipment and classes.

Prof_Fate

05/25/2006 10:17:41 AM · #2

Everyone is afraid of change.
At this point i only know one film fan, and that's only at indoor weddings. the other holdout i knew went digital this year for everything. Both do digital only in their studios.

Compare it to computers - the school does not want to be teaching the kids using DOS computers, so they? Are your printers dot matrix? No? Why not? they still print, right? Using green or amber CRTs? No? Why not, they still work, kids can still learn basic computer skills that way. really. you can surf the net on a simple machine that doesn't do graphics. You wouldn't enjoy it, you'd learn very little, but it's possible and cheaper than this new fangled thing, what is it, windows?

What cameras do they use? SLRs or 8x10 view? Glass plate collodion? See, they've undated the photography stuff, they just need to do it again.

get some stats on how much of the pro world is digital - what field and what %. Wedding, advertising, commercial, art, etc - 90%? 95%? Show them statistics.

then tell them you want to start the kids on b&w film and darkroom - so they learn the basics, the history, the process.

Canon EOS-20D

05/25/2006 10:25:40 AM · #3

If you don't need the approval of these people, just go ahead with the switch. I'm guessingu that most of them will come around. My camera club had a number of very vocal opponents to digital but when it came down to the vote, they were in the clear minority. In the 5 months since we went digital, every single person who voted against it and swore they were NEVER GOING DIGITAL has purchased a digital camera.

Also, a few stats about the upfront cost for digital compared to the ongoing expense for film/developing/chemicals, etc. would probably be in your favor.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

05/25/2006 10:53:50 AM · #4

You should annouce a cost cutting measure: To avoid similar upgrade issues with computer classes, all computer classes will now be taught using an abacus and eventually a slide rule.

undieyatch

Olympus E-10

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

05/25/2006 11:20:45 AM · #5

Originally posted by teachnm:

Funding art education - which always seem to have no priority, is traditionally problematic especially with stiff competition for money from other parts of a school budget.
Teachers of the arts in public schools, if the school actually has teachers who teach it, usually face the dilemma for finding resources and provisions.
However, success of arts related programs, in terms of student achievement; learning outcome - ie. useful application of arts knowledge; and student/family satisfaction is usually always high.
The latest and greatest equipment is not always available or figured into that success, but for the teacher - who is a proponent of updating curricula and take the opportunity to convey the essential knowledge - that will be the most effective tool to keep a program fresh.
Expensive photo equipment and art supplies will most certianly follow.

Prof_Fate

05/25/2006 03:45:34 PM · #6

bring them some new aarticles like this one.

seach back on mamiya leaving the camera biz, agfa and ilford, kodak not making film cameras and no more b&w paper...

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/25/2006 05:15:49 PM · #7

Originally posted by teachnm:

I would just tell them to make it (art class(es)) an after school elective that requires an additional fee.

05/26/2006 08:37:21 AM · #8

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

You should annouce a cost cutting measure: To avoid similar upgrade issues with computer classes, all computer classes will now be taught using an abacus and eventually a slide rule.

LMAO! Thanks for the laughter on a dismal day of budget cuts!

05/26/2006 08:38:16 AM · #9

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

bring them some new aarticles like this one.

seach back on mamiya leaving the camera biz, agfa and ilford, kodak not making film cameras and no more b&w paper...

Thanks so much for some excellent sources and support for digital photography!

05/26/2006 08:39:17 AM · #10

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

You should annouce a cost cutting measure: To avoid similar upgrade issues with computer classes, all computer classes will now be taught using an abacus and eventually a slide rule.

I am looking into tying the arts curriculum more with science and mathematics every day so people see the "practical" applications, too.