As a former newshound I care little about how much film I expend. I'm after
images. I use print film to afford latitude of exposure and realize that
cropping can take care of the other details in the darkroom afterward. All
I need concentrate on is being in the right place at the right time. And
proper focus on the subject. And with the use of the multi-spot metering
these days even proper exposure has been rendered somewhat of a mute issue,
and I've threatened (in my mind) to try my luck with slides.
I've heard various photographers talk of film usage over the years and how
"haste makes waste." Well, that may well be with tripod work in mind--is in
my case--I slow right down--but the vast majority of my pictures are taken
on the hoof, with motor drives always attached to my bodies at that. I'm
after as many images as I can possibly get of subjects I find of interest,
the more the better; I doubt after 25 years that's gonna change anytime soon.
Tris
Hi Peter,
Interresting statistics, really. I've noticed from myself, that over
time, I've gone through a cycle of photography, starting with the
experimental "phase one" learning the basics of photography, then through
"phase two" - the "brute force" way of getting useable shots by taking
*lots* of films and selecting later (coinciding with a brief venture into
comercial photography where getting "a shot of this scene is crucial") and
finally through a "phase three" where I care much about the photo *before*
I press the shutter, thereby yielding a higher rate of shots which are ok
and above. This later phase started when I acquired a medium format camera
- which inspires a slower working pace (changing film takes forever,
compared to in my OM1, for example) and saving on the raw material (medium
format film is more costly than 35mm). Also, the big, bright viewfinder of
a medium format really inspires one to compose correctly and maximize the
use of this wonderful big format.
I have not counted as carefully as you, but from my recent (also
business) trip to the sount of France, I shot 4 kodakchromes. I count 3 or
4 bad frames (overexposed - I didn't bring an ND-filter and even at 25 iso
the sun was at times too strong for f22+1/1000, which was max I could do
with the OM2s/p), a couple which were "not terribly exciting" - and the
rest went (selected not by myself) into the casettes being used for
projection.
I contrast that with the results from my "phase two" from above, where
I out of 4 films might have 4-5 frames I like - at most.
I keep wondering if it was buying the medium format that triggered that I
went from "phase two" to "phase three" - or it was a natural development
of my photographic temperment...?
I also keep wondering what will happen when I continue my venture into
larger negative sizes........hmmm....
Anyone else with similar observations from themself?
--thomas
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