2 years ago
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What is the modern use for a dark room?
A few of my old friends took photo class back in high school and they would talk to me about the dark room. They had to learn how develop film by using the chemicals and caring for the photos properly. I never quite understood the purpose for a dark room in such a digital-driven world. Are photos developed in dark rooms better somehow? Do they look different? Is this still an important skill to learn for a promising photo student? Do you think the dark room will die out in the next 10 years or so? Why or why not?
http://www.caed.calpoly.edu/facilities/images/photo-darkroom.jpg
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With it being the 21st century and all, dark room usage is almost completely outdated for several reasons:
Film is being used a lot less. Just try and find a new, capable camera that uses film. It will be difficult, if not impossible. And even if you find an old camera that you can still use, chances are, the film for it isn't being produced anymore, or production will be discontinued soon. One prominent reason for this is that film just isn't as flexible at perfecting a photo when compared to modern digital photo-manipulation. And since most distribution of images nowadays is through some digital format (even posters go through a computer), chances are that your hard copy will eventually have to be converted to digital anyway, so taking traditional photographs just adds an extra step.
That said, I highly suggest that a first-year photography student use a darkroom at some point. It helps them learn much more about taking good photography rather than relying on a computer later. The hands-on experience is amazing, and nothing can really match not only having a hard copy of work, but also producing it yourself. The practice really encourages you to play around with different filters, lenses, and setting to get the image that they want, because the user is controlling every part of the production. And of course, nothing can match the brilliant color you can get from good film
In ten years, dark rooms will be all but obsolete, as fewer people actually have a use for it, and digital technology begins to capture much more than what traditional film could do. Heck, with two cameras, a capable amateur could easily create 3D images right now. As the technology evolves, you may have the distinction of being one of the few people who had the opportunity to dunk sheets in chemicals in pitch-dark rooms. Take that opportunity when you can, but also be prepared to embrace the capabilities the photographer will have in the future.
Film is being used a lot less. Just try and find a new, capable camera that uses film. It will be difficult, if not impossible. And even if you find an old camera that you can still use, chances are, the film for it isn't being produced anymore, or production will be discontinued soon. One prominent reason for this is that film just isn't as flexible at perfecting a photo when compared to modern digital photo-manipulation. And since most distribution of images nowadays is through some digital format (even posters go through a computer), chances are that your hard copy will eventually have to be converted to digital anyway, so taking traditional photographs just adds an extra step.
That said, I highly suggest that a first-year photography student use a darkroom at some point. It helps them learn much more about taking good photography rather than relying on a computer later. The hands-on experience is amazing, and nothing can really match not only having a hard copy of work, but also producing it yourself. The practice really encourages you to play around with different filters, lenses, and setting to get the image that they want, because the user is controlling every part of the production. And of course, nothing can match the brilliant color you can get from good film
In ten years, dark rooms will be all but obsolete, as fewer people actually have a use for it, and digital technology begins to capture much more than what traditional film could do. Heck, with two cameras, a capable amateur could easily create 3D images right now. As the technology evolves, you may have the distinction of being one of the few people who had the opportunity to dunk sheets in chemicals in pitch-dark rooms. Take that opportunity when you can, but also be prepared to embrace the capabilities the photographer will have in the future.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
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