Film vs Digital Imagery: Battle or Happy Marriage

By John Christopher Fine, Naui 4431

They are different. The only thing that is the same between film and digital imagery is the end result, and even that is different.

"I didn't like the results. The image quality was poor. We printed them on the computer. We could e-mail them but when we printed them, the pictures looked like computer generated photographs. You could tell they were not right." one diver said of her digital images taken underwater that morning and sent off to friends after the dive.

People had gathered around her digital camera on board the dive boat as she scrolled back and forth to show images she had taken underwater. After one or two strained squints into her small digital screen, the other divers lost interest. It was instant photos. In lives lived in today's times, instant gratification is everything.

While seeing and sharing images is the joy of photography, and while our lifestyles have encouraged "Fast Photo", the quality of an image, its longevity and the fact that a good underwater photographic opportunity often presents itself only once, may outweigh the benefit of getting something "on-line" immediately.

The key, then, to any discussion about imaging is the question, "What is the intended use of the image?"

Once that threshold question is answered, then investigation of the method of capturing the image, storing it, saving it, and transmitting it can also be answered. They are the same issues as those considered when choosing film stock-whether to use color-print film, slides, or black-and-white.

Digital imaging is not cheap. Camera equipment for a decent unit that produces at least acceptable images that stand up to 4-inch x 6-inch or greater enlargement is expensive.

Also, almost all digital cameras have a shutter release delay that operators do not get used to easily. Simultaneous image capturing shutters can be found only on very expensive, professional digital cameras.

Slide film is the mother of imaging. There is nothing a photographer cannot do with slide film. Speed, color rendition, and grain fineness have been researched with the expenditure of millions of dollars by Eastman Kodak until the resulting little blue or little red box of Ektachrome slide film presents the ultimate photographic tool.

I was the official photographer for a major entertainment arts organization at their gala awards ceremonies. Every image had to count since big name stars do not hold still for long. The vice president of the organization had a special request from Associated Press. The AP photographer was the only pro allowed behind the scenes into the VIP functions.

I was asked to shepherd the photographer through the beautiful glitteratzi in evening dresses and tuxedos. The difference between us was apparent. The AP man was using a digital camera, wearing a sport jacket and tie. I had my trusty Nikon F3 and the requisite tuxedo.

We became friendly as the shooting progressed. We found that we have covered other events and had the fellowship of photography in common. " I have a camera like that once," the AP man told me.

His voice was almost reverential when he gestured to my F3. The camera around my neck was the most modern thing I owned. I glanced at his digital back, the last image he shot still glowing on its screen. "Well I don't have to cover murders then jump into a phone booth and send them back to a newspaper. So it still works for me," I answered. We both laughed.

that's the crux of the thing. How rapid do you have to be? With digital imagery the next question is how skilled are you with the computer process and how good is the computer being used to transfer and transmit the images?

Mort and Alese Pechter are among the world's best-known sports photographers. They authored a classic book called, What's in the Deep. Mort and Alese are veteran divers as well as official photographers for world class tennis matches, hot air balloon competitions, the annual DEMA dive show and special events.

"It's only been two years," Mort said. "Just two years and look how digital imaging has revolutionized the industry." "We won't go back. We only own one film camera now," Alese said. "When we are asked to shoot in film, we say "Get someone else"."

the ease of digital imaging and the need for the Pechters to produce instant results then e-mail then to sports editors for the next edition, has converted them from slides to color prints then two years ago into digital photographers.

BUT--- the quality of their images depends on high tech and thus very, very expensive cameras, computers and printers.

"Do not try this at home," applies to the difference between the Pechter's digital imaging cameras, computers, and image printing support systems and amateur equipment. Average divers put limits on what they are willing to invest to have fun with photography.

When i need digital images from my slide film, I simply shoot the slides onto color print film and check those boxes on the Kodak envelope at my photo finishing store.

All the big photo finishing chain stores use Kodak to process their "overnight" films. I get back a Kodak photo CD in 300-dpi resolution. I can also order images "on-line" that can be picked up with a code then e-mailed directly once loaded into the computer and put onto a CD.

"I set it up so it works overnight," Alese Pechter said. she had programmed her computer to transmit digital images all night long to magazine editors. These images eat up computer memory in great gobs and take a long time to transmit especially in high-res.

thus the difference between amateur and professional photographer once again is apparent in the choice of digital versus film photography. The quality of the image also depends on high-resolution equipment. Expensive digital cameras, computers and printers produce good images. Good cameras loaded with Kodak color slide film produce excellent images for any purpose.

Convinced? the average diver who makes an investment in photographic equipment quickly realizes that a camera and housing with electronic flash costs about $1200 for an adequate setup. This is true for digital as well as film cameras. Less expensive digital cameras in housings as well cheaper housed film cameras can be both. The sky's the limit on the high end.

For camera equipment, the used market may be the best source. The Nikonos II and III are mechanical cameras and my favorites. I do not want, need or use electronic or automatic cameras in the marine environment.

Among the more recent vintages of the Nikonos cameras, the V is most acceptable and has automatic features. Like any electronic cameras, a little moisture inside can knock it out. A good electronic strobe is necessary to capture colors underwater. This is true for both film and digital imaging. Digital photography can be used in low light situations on land; underwater, the colors still require flash.

For film choice I prefer Kodak Kodachrome. I often use Kodak Ektachrome film stock that renders pleasing tonality to blue backgrounds. I choose 64 ASA and 100 ASA film speeds. The adage that the slower the film the better the grain is still true, although Kodak's faster slide film in 200 and 400 ASA has been developed with very fine grain structure.

Underwater natural light photography can produce beautiful results. Color rendition requires flash photography. Distance is limited to about six to seven feet underwater when working with flash, closer if there are particles floating in the water that will cause backscatter.

I project slides when I lecture about the marine environment. Theater screens are often the size of a house. Kodak 64 and 100 ASA speed slide films hold up well.

Projection of digital images, even with expensive equipment, often results in gray images that lack color definition. Everyone I talk to says: "They are getting better." I use the best and do not expect anything to top it."

Speed and instant imaging is not necessary for me, and I am not a computer guru. I do not have the time to sit in front of the computer to tinker with images.

I use my slides to illustrate magazine and newspaper articles and as illustrations for my books. I lecture and teach with them. For all of these purposes, slide film is the best for the use intended.

While newspapers and some magazines accept digital images, the result of expedience and cost cutting, editors are quick to say that the photographic quality of slides renders the best reproduction. They also take and scan in color prints or color negatives. In order of quality, I rate slide film first, then color print film, then digital images.

Eastman Kodak is far and away the slide film industry leader. They have developed films that exclusively graced the pages of National Geographic for generations.

If the standards are high in photographic image quality, Kodachrome and Ektachrome slide films are still the best choices. Digital images are instant. Having a compact housed digital camera for the casual shared experience is the kind of marriage an underwater photographer may choose. It is not a domestic battle over which is better-they are different.

Sources - Third Quarter 2005 copyright NAUI. All rights reserved.

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