jesse
@ November 26, 2008


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6
Digital photography is, in almost every way, tops.  It is cheaper, easier, and the gratification is so deliciously instant.  But sometimes digital photography can be a bit too... perfect. 


navesink piers, originally uploaded by craftj2.

That's why this is my new favorite flickr group.  The group is all pictures of noise, dust, and distortion that people have captured through their viewfinders.  When you apply them to a digital photograph, it can give them some of the texture and earthiness of film.


lark street - square, originally uploaded by craftj2.

The atmosphere and mood that this shot already had is enhanced by the shadowy corners and uneven, bleeding edge of the frame.  Turns out all that time I spent cleaning and taking care of my lenses was a total waste of time.


winter surfing in seabright, originally uploaded by craftj2.

See more here.


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I got myself a couple of cheap old medium format cameras off ebay for this specific purpose. Unfortunately my DSLR broke just about the same time, so I haven't any nice ttv pics... just a few I took with my point-and-shoot, which are all horribly out of focus.

Taking good care of your equipment is never a waste of time.

While this produces an interesting aesthetic, it is not that of film. It is simply that of a digital image that has somehow been damaged by dust and scratches.

I am going to throw a novel suggestion out there: If you want something to look like it was shot on film, shoot on film. Film needn't be dirty or damaged; it can be pristine, crisp, and tack sharp.

I wasn't trying to suggest that all film shots were dirty or damaged, but rather that it is sometimes cool, and this is a way to do it with digital shots that I think looks pretty sweet.

"When you apply them to a digital photograph, it can give them some of the texture and earthiness of film."

Right. "Some of the texture and earthiness of film", not "I applied a photoshop layer and now this looks exactly like if I shot it on film."

I still don't agree with your statement that dust and scratches represent the "texture and earthiness" of film. You'd be better off trying to simulate grain patterns.

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