Both film and digital formats have drawbacks and benefits. Those photographers preferring film, or 'pro-filmers' as I prefer to describe them, promote film's perceived higher quality than film. Likewise, 'pro-digitals' applaud the durability of the digital format, as well as its ease of transfer between devices.

Those photographers preferring the actual digital format over film applaud its durability, overall flexibility, convenience and price. It is argued that digital documents do not 'deteriorate' like film - that is, a digital picture stored on a computer or digital camera does not generally display much loss of quality over time. On the flipside, old photos are typically identified by their deteriorated quality - it truly is unusual to see high-quality film photographs from the early twentieth century! 'Pro-digitals' also laud the digital format's flexibleness compared to film. Digital photographs can simply be transferred to a pc for editing, whilst film photographs must be optically searched, a process that may lead to a loss of quality.

Digital images also present convenience to the casual photographer, as motion picture photographs must first be developed and printed. Unless of course a photographer knows how to do this themselves, this usually requires a visit to the local photography store. Digital photographs, however , can simply become printed off on a inkjet printer! Finally, the issue regarding price comes to mind when considering the film/digital argument. Because of their simplicity, film cameras are typically cheaper than sophisticated digital camera models. However , film is becoming more scarce, pushing up the costs of already-expensive products, whilst digital cameras do not require such consumables - a battery is often all that is required. In addition , video cameras are becoming cheaper all the time, so this argument will soon become outdated. These arguments, combined, form the basis of the 'pro-digital' discussion in the film/digital debate.

Those photographers preferring the video photograph format admire its quality, first and foremost. Often , its found that the primary users of film photography tend to be professional photographers - people to whom quality matters probably the most. Amateur photographers, including those who photograph 'happy snaps' (vacation photographs, etc . ) do not require the same level of quality as expert photographers. Dynamic range (the luminance range of a picture being photographed) is considered by some to be a problem with regard to digital photographers. Dust on the lens, which can affect picture quality, is considered to be more of a problem for digital photographers, since the camera's sensor remains in one spot, whilst film just stays in one position for one photograph before advancing. But dust-affected digital photographs can often be digitally retouched. Film photography enthusiasts also argue that film is less prone to doctoring, as electronic images are more easily altered. Those examining the role involving photography in art often argue that as digital pictures are more easily 'enhanced', film photography offers a more genuine visible experience.

Ultimately, it is clear that the film/digital debate is not really a simple one, and serious investigations into the issue might require much more experimentation and research than the issues discovered here. In a changing digital age, it is sometimes essential to hold on to the past. However , some argue that letting go of the past in film photography will lead to a better globe.