Is My Digital Camera Making Life Hard

I’ve noticed something since I began shooting film again this year. More and more I’m taking my old Canon EOS film camera for the simplicity of it.

When I shoot film, I might shoot half a dozen frames. Of course I won’t see any of the finished captures for several more outings, but that’s okay with me at this stage in my career.

If I bring my digital camera, shooting 15 frames per second, I shoot everything I see. It’s pretty standard for me to return with 400 raw images to process. Then I’m obligated to load them on the desktop computer, translate them, keyword them, edit them down, and finally create the finished product. Out of 400 images, I might actually use half a dozen fairly uninteresting pictures of random birds and landscapes.

An hour hike becomes a four hour project, and half my day is gone. If I shoot film, I’ll have a few nice pictures in a couple of weeks. I’ll scan a couple, and be inspired to write a story. Plus, I’ll get to have the fun of using a camera that takes me back to a time when photography was pure mystery and joy, a time before computers did everything for me.

That’s not to say however, that I don’t appreciate the electronic sensor when I have an important project. I captured 1500 images of a grizzly and her cubs in Yellowstone. All in one morning! That, of course would cost a small fortune in film and developing.

But for my daily hikes on the local trails, perhaps the old way is better for my needs!