I believe that I may be a film snob. In fact I know that I am one.
Last week, two glassblowers began a week long exposition at my art center where I take darkroom classes. I decided to burn through a couple of rolls of film to kill some time. I was the only person shooting film, amongst many using digital cameras.
We, the spectators, were sitting on bleachers directly in front of their work station which was roped off with yellow do not enter tape. Once the glassblowers noticed that I was shooting film, especially black and white, they to my surprise invited me to enter their work station to take close ups as they worked.
Their furnaces and ovens were at full blaze, expensive work tools were scattered about, as well as precious glass blown objects that they had only created moments earlier. I documented them as they blew glass from many different close up angles. It was amazing! Throughout the week, I shot 9 rolls of film instead of the two that I planned to shoot. I shot my last roll this morning as they loaded up their equipment.
I could tell the digital photographers wanted the same opportunity. Some of them got as close as they could without crossing the yellow tape. I could since their frustration. It was at this moment that I realized that I was a, "FILM SNOB". I believe they could since my arrogance as I took my close up shots. In fact, I did not attempt to hide it, I bathed in it fully; "FILM SNOBBERY", at its greatest. To my dismay, I was quickly brought back to reality after noticing that I exposed my roll of Adox CHS 25 at an ASA of 400.
Please do not take this as a film vs. digital debate, but rather a sign of recognition for film photography in a digital era. Who would have ever thought that a guy with a Pentax K-1000 would be given such an opportunity over those using digital cameras.
Does my reaction merit a moment of "FILM SNOBBERY", or rather a moment of elation for a guy who was ecstatic to see film photography receive its much deserved recognition?
Weegee said always to carry a big camera like a Speed Graphic, and the police would let you enter the crime scene, because you would look like you were supposed to be there. If a K1000 does the trick today, then, go for it!
Weegee said always to carry a big camera like a Speed Graphic, and the police would let you enter the crime scene, because you would look like you were supposed to be there. If a K1000 does the trick today, then, go for it!
That is so true.
When I was at a local election party last year, I had people from the party making space for me because I had a Pentax SLR with a big flash head on top of it. Other people were stuck at the back of the cramped room, but I was walked all the way to the podium.
__________________ Using film since before it was hip.
It amazed me when I shot on-set stills for a local feature last Fall, how everyone on the crew and all the extras for a large party scene, got all misty eyed and nostalgic when they found out I was shooting 120 film!
"Hey he's shooting FILM!" "Wow"
Instant respect. Kinda weirded me out...
It had to be the only film camera around for miles and it was like I was holding the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch.
Location: Near Tavistock, Devon, on the edge of Dartmoor.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamusu
I believe that I may be a film snob. In fact I know that I am one.
Jamusu.
I think you do yourself a disservice! There's nothing snobby about using a film camera. You've simply chosen to maintain the high standards achievable with that medium via the necessary and not inconsiderable skills required whereas the others obviously made a conscious decision to take the easier route and to down-market themselves in the process. Ooops! Now I'm being a film snob in telling you that you aren't one!
BTW, you lost me when you said you were sitting on "bleachers". What on earth is a bleacher when it's at home?
I think the snobbery comes more from the digital side. I can't tell you how many times someone with a DSLR will come over to me when I'm shooting, look at my 6 month old Linhof or 1 year old Fotoman, etc and comment on how nice it is that someone's still using antique cameras.
Am I a Film Snob? 
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