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 Bigger, Newer, Faster - But is it better?

Pan-X was what we used to refer to as a very “Slow” film. It’s ASA (now referred to as ISO) rating was only 32. It required a fairly bright light source, and often was associated with using a flash everywhere (indoors and outdoors). I knew very few people who actually used this kind of film.

Plus-X was the golden child, 90% of the people in the world used this film when
they were taking pictures. Considered the standard of the industry, its film speed rating was 125. It took good pictures in regular daylight, open shade, and even at dusk. Only occasionally did you have to use a flash.

Tri-X was considered a specialty film. With a speed rating of 400, it was much more sensitive to light, so you could shoot even indoors without a flash. It had some advantages in unique situations, but it was never meant to replace the standard.

Being a teenager at the time, I got rebellious and started shooting Tri-X every where. I shot basketball games, school plays, track and field, and even some baseball, so one film that did it all, seemed great. My indoor pictures looked good, but the stuff I shot outdoors just never measured up.

It took me almost a year to realize that different was not always better. For those of you living in the all digital world you might say; so what? What’s that to do with me? Simple, when digital cameras first came out three mega pixels was the top of the ladder. Now the industry wants to convince you that it’s the bottom rung. Eight and nine mega pixel cameras are coming out left and right; some cameras even brag of a huge thirteen mega pixels.

Let’s not forget the lessons of our youth. Why do you take pictures? Many people only print 4x6 prints for an album. A few may make enlargements as big as 8x10; but who on earth do you know that regularly makes 30 x 40 prints? That’s these super-sized mega pixel monsters can do. I’ve made really nice 8x10’s from a mere 3.1 mega pixel camera. If I was planning bigger prints (16x20 or higher) I might step up to five mega pixels.

Some people claim, “but then I can blow up a small portion of the shot and make a cool print.” My answer to that is: to take better pictures to begin with,” fill the frame, and shoot the beginning with the end in mind. Quality is more often judged by composition than pixels per square inch.

I’m all for new technology, but don’t think that bigger is always better. Learn the art of photography, prefect your skills, greatness comes from within, not from keeping up with the latest trends. Stretch your imagination, not your pocket book.