Jump to content

fino

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    198

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by fino

    The Future of Film - Ilford Photo press release

    in News from the Photo World

    Posted

    http://www.ilfordphoto.com/pressroom/article.asp?n=78

     

    COMMENT ON THE FUTURE OF FILM BY HOWARD HOPWOOD, MARKETING DIRECTOR OF ILFORD

    PHOTO. Mobberley, United Kingdom. 2 May 2007

     

    Over recent times, the demand and usage of both digital and film-based imaging

    have settled into more discernable levels, with film very much holding its own.

    Howard Hopwood, marketing director of black-and-white photographic materials

    manufacturer ILFORD PHOTO, sees a very positive future

    for the traditional medium.

    The future of film

     

    Although the mainstream digital imaging manufacturers and suppliers seemed to

    have ceased their alarmist, some would say desperate, predictions of a speedy

    demise for film-based photography, it is obvious that the market mix of media

    has continued to change dramatically.

     

    Film ? the wonder of the photographic age ? has survived numerous incursions

    over recent decades as digital has done battle to hold the high ground in the

    field of image capture. Now that the extremist ?either/or? conflict has abated,

    just about everyone involved in photography recognises that both film and

    digital have established individual strongholds while also working together in

    many instances to provide the best of both worlds.

     

    Those strongholds are not fixed, however, as market and technological advances

    ensure that developments in both fields constantly move their relationship with

    each other. As colour photography has become more versatile, and the films more

    stable over the last half-century, black-and-white photography has become a

    specialist and much sought-after application in the field of creative imaging,

    capitalising on its ability to produce subtlety in contrast and tonal quality

    which colour photography has never been able to replicate.

     

    Ironically, it has been in recognising its true positioning in today?s

    marketplace that has enabled black-and-white photography and its associated

    products and services to carve a defined niche for itself. Fortunately, for

    those who prefer the purity and textural quality of monochrome, this niche

    remains vibrant, and is clearly of sufficient interest to support a large and

    increasingly viable sector of the imaging industry.

     

    Most photographic film, paper and chemistry manufacturers have been involved in

    the black-and-white sector at one time or another, but many dropped out as the

    popular market declined, leaving ILFORD PHOTO as the world?s leading

    manufacturer of this genre.

     

    The company does not, though, take anything for granted. A great deal of

    research and development has been, and continues to be, invested in not just

    maintaining the status quo of black-and-white film, but in taking it further to

    meet ever-increasing demands from its dedicated customers around the world for

    greater flexibility of application to enable them to face the challenges of an

    integrated and constantly advancing technological market.

     

    Because of this ongoing innovation, the global belief is that film will not

    disappear ? indeed, it is already enjoying a renaissance ? although the rate of

    consumption will maintain at moderate levels compared to its ?golden age?. It

    will be less popular with amateur photographers en masse, though a strong band

    of enthusiasts and professionals around the world still prefer to use film and

    analogue processing.

     

    The sale of all formats of film has been stable for the last 9 to 12 months,

    though the brand mix has been undergoing some noticeable shifts. Agfa Photo and

    Konica films are no longer available, and the statements made by Kodak are

    causing concern amongst users of black-and-white film. All of these factors have

    strengthened |LFORD PHOTO?s resolve to continue to not only serve, but to also

    develop, the market for premium quality black-and-white films.

     

    An ?ILFORD PHOTO equivalents? list for Kodak, Agfa and Forte products is

    available on the ilfordphoto.com website.

     

    An indicator of ILFORD PHOTO?s commitment to its customers is its willingness to

    provide products which manufacturers catering to the mass markets would not even

    consider due to their relatively low demand. A good example of this attitude can

    be seen in ILFORD SFX 200 film which is an extended red sensitivity product.

     

    This line was discontinued during ILFORD PHOTO?s restructuring in 2005. However,

    the company has been receiving numerous requests for its SFX 200 to be

    re-introduced, and so has been looking at ways of producing a small quantity of

    the product once or twice a year to meet the needs of those seeking it. A route

    to achieve this was created, and the film was recently re-introduced worldwide.

     

    The infrastructure required to ensure that the black-and-white market thrives is

    clearly very important to ILFORD PHOTO. To provide support for non-professional

    photographers using black-and-white film, the company has established a process

    and print service in the UK, which has been very successful and ensures that

    real black-and-white photography ? black-and-white films printed on

    black-and-white photographic paper ? continues to be available.

     

    In addition to using ILFORD PHOTO?s prepaid processing services, there are still

    a number of enthusiasts and photography students who process their own films and

    print in their own darkrooms. There are also hire darkrooms available, and

    ILFORD PHOTO is gradually making a list of the available facilities on its

    website (www.ilfordphoto.com).

     

    As for professional photographers, there is still a good number of high quality

    professional labs offering excellent film processing and printing, including

    toning, etc, for those who do not operate darkrooms.

     

    Given all of which, there is every reason to view the future of film with

    optimism, albeit on a different scale to that which it enjoyed just a few years

    back. Now that the industry has recognised that rather than competing for market

    share, digital and film have each settled into their separate, though often

    complementary, niches, they can be viewed as parallel markets.

     

    As far as anyone can anticipate future market trends, it seems that film in

    general will be with us for some time yet, with black-and-white maintaining its

    own dedicated following.

    END

     

    About ILFORD PHOTO

     

    ILFORD PHOTO has been in continuous operation since 1879. The latest corporate

    development was the acquisition in February 2005 of its black-and-white

    photographic business, premises and ILFORD PHOTO name from the receivers of the

    old ILFORD Imaging group by HARMAN technology Ltd, a company created by former

    managers of the company and named after the founder of the ILFORD business,

    Alfred Harman.

     

    Since that time, the ILFORD PHOTO brand has re-established its primary position

    in the global photographic market and has led the worldwide resurgence of

    black-and-white photography. It is the only manufacturer which provides the full

    range of film, paper, photo chemicals and ancillary products for this sector.

     

    Meanwhile, HARMAN technology has been developing other aspects of business which

    take full advantage of the highly sophisticated plant at its headquarters in

    Mobberley, Cheshire, including the development of HARMAN PHOTO inkjet media

    which was recently launched around the world and is receiving glowing reviews.

    New 5D body or Second hand 1ds Mk1

    in Canon EOS Mount

    Posted

    I'm looking to replace my 10D and wondering whether to go for the 5D or a used

    1ds mk1. I'll be using the camera for stock, portraits, interiors, some PR work

    and my own personal stuff.

     

    While I'd like the rugged body of the 1ds, I do take my 10D everywhere, everyday

    and the benefit of the sealed body is off-set by the weight factor for me. So in

    that respect both bodies are even. The price is more or less the same.

     

    So it all comes down to image quality, AF and metering. Can anyone familiar with

    both cameras please post your views.

     

    Thanks in advance.

    User opinions of Hasselblad V96C

    in Medium Format

    Posted

    Gary, I use a v96c and think its great [but still use film and will for the forseeable]. For something this big though I really dont think you should take anyones word on it. Take your camera into your dealer and put the back on it and try it for yourself. Likewise with the scanner.

    What do you use for a 501CM Hasselblad EverReady Case?

    in Medium Format

    Posted

    I use a Tamrac Zoom 19, which holds a 500cm/pme45/mostlens+hood/film. It doesnt attach to the base of the camera to be worn around your neck like a slr+pouch though.

     

    I really dont think you'll walk far with your hasselblad dangling from your neck but if you want to try it, hasselblad make a wide strap which fits the sides of your camera body.

    Hasselblad 40mm CFE vs. 903 or 905 SWC?

    in Medium Format

    Posted

    I traded in a 903 for a 40mm. I loved the 903 but couldnt live with the difficulty in focusing especially close up, and also using graduated filters and polarisers. I often like to use very short depth of field and the 903 just wasnt working out for me. I hadnt the control I wanted. Maybe if I was a better photographer I could have made it work. Of course if I'd lots of money I'd have both but I'm totally happy with the 40mm.

    Fashion Photographer links

    in Portraits & Fashion

    Posted

    >Remember fashion photography is not just about photography but is a >team effort. These sites help to check the work of the leading clothing >stylists, MUAs and hair stylists.

     

    I'm spending as much time getting to know some of these people as I am researching at the moment. Its a really valid point thanks

    Fashion Photographer links

    in Portraits & Fashion

    Posted

    Hi,

     

    I'm researching and trying to absorb as much fashion photography as I

    can at the moment, before I start some projects myself during the summer.

     

    Can anyone please post your favourite fashion photographers or

    websites with pages of links to fashion photography or resources etc.

    Anything!!

     

    I just cant get enough of this superb genre of photography, so please

    post and give the google server a timeout.

     

    Thanks

     

    Fintan

×
×
  • Create New...