Film vs Digital, does it matter?
Think about the last time you scrolled through your social media feed: how many images flashed before your eyes in just a minute? How long did you engage with each one, maybe a few seconds, before you liked, saved, or moved on?
This brief digital engagement leads us to question the genuine impact of digital images. Global tech and electronics leader Samsung's EVP Patrick Chomet, in a discussion on the authenticity of digital photography influenced by AI, particularly with the Galaxy S24's camera, provoked thought by stating:
'There was a debate around what constitutes a real picture. And actually, there is no such thing as a real picture. As soon as you have sensors to capture something, you reproduce [what you’re seeing], and it doesn’t mean anything. There is no real picture. You can try to define a real picture by saying, ‘I took that picture’, but if you used AI to optimize the zoom, the autofocus, the scene – is it real? Or is it all filters? There is no real picture, full stop.'
As we navigate the norm of digital enhancements, we're urged to reevaluate the distinction between an image's original moment and its AI-optimized presentation. Chomet's statement invites us into the debate on film versus digital photography, urging us to consider the depth and authenticity that film brings to our visual experiences.
Patrick Chomet's reflections resonate deeply with what we've observed about the essence of photography. His candid admission underscores a truth we've long embraced: digital enhancements, for all their allure, cannot capture the authentic essence of a moment as film does. This acknowledgment from a leader in global technology and electronics like Samsung validates our commitment to educating clients and the public about the intrinsic value of film photography. It's a pivotal moment to reconsider what we value in the images that represent our lives and legacies. Recognizing that nearly all digital cameras rely on AI algorithms to shape their output, we champion the unparalleled way film interacts with the physical world, capturing elements in a manner no other method can replicate.
Reflecting on Chomet's insights, we're prompted to consider what truly moves us in a photograph. This brings us to the heart of why many clients are drawn to film photography: for its unparalleled ability to capture not just images, but stories, emotions, and moments with a depth and FEELING that stands out in the digital age. It's just one of those things if you get it you get it. How can you explain the unexplainable? Not everything can be quantified, but there is still a knowing that this or that feels different.
Chomet's observation about sensors shaping our perception of reality underscores a crucial distinction: the transition from capturing to creating. In this light, film photography stands apart. It's a purely manual process, engaging directly with light and shadow, untouched by electronics or algorithms. This authentic interaction between film and the physical world ensures each photograph remains a genuine artifact of the moment it encapsulates, free from digital reinterpretation and influenced only by the artistic interpretation within the physical world at the moment of capture or creation.
Our fleeting interactions with the myriad of digital images that flood our daily lives might indeed render them disposable on a subconscious level. Enhanced by AI and algorithms, these images, while momentarily captivating, often fail to forge a lasting connection.
Contrast this with the enduring legacy of classic cinema or iconic photographs captured on film—these remain etched in our collective memory. Why? Perhaps because they convey a depth, realism, and a tactile sense of reality that digital images, for all their immediacy, fail to replicate. This distinction invites us to ponder: in our quest to capture life's moments, do we opt for the ephemeral allure of digital perfection or the timeless authenticity of film?
Just like the distinction between hand-stitched luxury car interiors and mass-produced vehicles, photography has its nuances. Social media may demand the rapid, by-the-hour uploads facilitated by smartphones, echoing the efficiency of mass production. Yet, there are moments and projects where the depth, texture, and feel of film photography, akin to the craftsmanship of a luxury vehicle's interior, truly shine. This parallel underscores the importance of choosing the right medium for the moment, whether it's the immediacy of digital for social sharing or the timeless quality of film for capturing irreplaceable memories.
In answering whether film still holds value in the age of AI, the response is a resounding yes. Film and digital serve distinct purposes: digital caters to the immediacy and volume of social media, and efficiency for advertising endeavors, offering quick, accessible captures.
Conversely, film endows images with depth, texture, and an enduring quality, cherished for capturing life's pivotal moments and projects with lasting significance. Much like the distinction between hand-stitched luxury interiors and standard vehicle fittings, film photography represents a deliberate choice of artistry and permanence in a world accustomed to the ephemeral nature of digital content.
