It seems that today, many of the photographers entering into the profession have little or no experience with film. That's really a shame because the basics of photography can be learned by just working with film.
With cameras today doing almost everything for you automatically, many photographers don't know how to solve difficult shooting situations. I've encountered many photographers like this over the past few years. If you ask them how they would photograph a scene with bright backlighting or how they would be able to photograph something with a high contrast situation, the answer is usually, "Oh, I'd just set the camera on Program mode and let the camera do it."
Well, sometimes Program mode will work and other times it won't. So how do you do it manually? Many photographers don't have a clue where to start!
When I learned photography, I had to take college classes in Black and White film photography and also Color film photography. Not only did this teach me how to photograph using these two film types, but I also had to learn how to develop both types of film and print my own images as well. I was taught not only how to use automated machines to do this work, but also how to do it totally manually! I learned by doing.
Today with digital, we get instant gratification. Just look at the back of the camera and see if the image looks good on the monitor screen. That's great! But it doesn't teach you how to solve problems with lighting.
If you are a new photographer and want to learn photography properly, enroll yourself in a film photography class. Learn how to shoot with film and also learn how to develop it and print it. It's the basis of photography that will pay off even with your work in digital. And if you plan to be a professional photographer someday, you'll appreciate knowing how to deal with any photography assignment because you have a full understanding of light and how it affects photography. Your clients will appreciate it too!
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