Advance Note: The saying goes, "Nothing is constant except change." Photographer Russ Poole once fought with the idea of switching to digital. No more. He's made his choice and here's his reasoning. Of interest are the fruits of his experience.

EIGHT REASONS NOT TO SWITCH TO DIGITAL

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By Russ Poole

With all the discussions of digital versus film cameras, now is a good time to decide whether to switch to digital for stock submissions. Below are eight reasons not to shoot digital stock.

1. Digital isn't as good as film. -- Digital can't produce quality billboard-sized prints.

2. Digital is too expensive. -- Digital cameras are expensive. The medium to top-of-the-line film camera is hundreds or even thousands of dollars cheaper.

3. Digital is hard to learn to use correctly. -- Agreed! Blame the photo finishers or find other excuses "beyond my control."

4. Digital storage media is expensive. -- Yes, the price of high capacity storage media does cause sticker shock compared to 35mm slide film.

5. You need the latest computer equipment to work with digital images. – “I know my computer isn't good enough” for quality digital results. Besides, there will be better computers available next week.

6. "Real" photo editors want to see film / slides on their light boards.

7. "Real" photo editors would never consider using a digital image.

8. "Real" photographers don't use digital.

All this being said, let's glance back and fill in 'the rest of the story.'

Oh, Yeah ?

1. While there are better digital cameras coming to market every week, digital images are being printed 1/4 page and larger in textbooks and magazines every day. Many are made with early 2 megapixel or similar cameras.

2. Digital cameras are more expensive initially. However, what about the cost of all that film, processing, slide pages, labeling, etc., to say nothing of the environmental damage caused by all the processing chemicals and packaging?

3. Digital does have a learning curve. As with anything in life, if you are serious about your passion you take time to learn.

4. Digital storage media is expensive for limited use. However, for illustration purposes, the money I saved over film and processing costs in the first year of digital use exceeded the cost of my camera, numerous compact flash cards, and computer upgrades.

5. Most computers are quite capable of basic image corrections such as resizing, minor color correction, etc. Many inexpensive photo editing programs are available, even as freeware / shareware. The truth is, most of us never use the full capabilities of the computers we have. The same can be said of our photo equipment.

6. There’s just something about viewing slides on a light table, along with the back and neck pain... Many photo editors are happy to see thumbnail digital previews instead of wading through piles of slides. A final image can be e-mailed or put onto a CD. Saves the editor time and liability. Saves money and reduces the environmental impact of packaging materials, fuel for delivery, etc. Editors do use digital for final print use! We do know the final image becomes a printed page through magic, right?

7. Sales during the past year have made #7 a moot point. I occasionally get requests for slides, but most submissions are now digital. Unless I discern a special, select need for slide images, my film cameras rarely leave the camera bag.

8. Real photographers? With digital images by folks like NY-based Jay Maisel or the nature images of Moose Peterson, it is hard to hear this without smiling. The usual claim is "they're funded by * your brand here * ." A great photographer is not made by his choice of brands. Those of us old enough, remember 35mm film cameras suffering the same comparisons during the 1950s and 1960s. No one thought they would replace the Crown Graphics and other "real" press cameras. Look at 35mm now.

In summary, I say stick to your beliefs and don't go digital - makes for less competition for me!!

Russ Poole is a photographer living in Frederick, Maryland rpphoto@juno.com