I think doing things digitally has made certain types of “art” generally easier and more accessible. Namely, photography. Bad lighting, bad framing, and a plethora of other rookie mistakes can now be caught on the spot thanks to the digital viewfinder and later corrected thanks to Photoshop.
While I’m happy that this new digital renaissance has opened up the door to many talented people who were maybe too intimidated to try to learn about apertures and f-stops and darkrooms and everything else back when things were on film and a single mistake cost $10 and an hour of your time in a red tinted room, I would like to say that buying a Canon Digital Rebel for $250 at Best Buy does not a professional photographer make.
Seriously. It reminds me of the time I asked that guy at the party wearing the Maiden shirt which album was his favorite and he didn’t know what I was talking about. Don’t be one of those people.
This kind of rant makes me mad…It reminds me of a “ahh man, i liked that band way before they were famous” argument. Oh yeah….digital media is way different then working with film. So what. Maybe it is easier for some people, and not for others. Even if it is who cares. It is inspiring a ton of people to be creative that would have never had the chance before. Who cares if there work may suck. I’m sure it makes them happy and maybe other people too. If you ask me the more creative people the better. It will just inspire more and more people. I’m a guy that makes a living working with digital media. and if it weren’t for digital imaging, i don’t know what i would be doing. But because I have had success and a lot of fun working with digital, i have slowly started going to film when i have the time/ money. Digital is just another way to make art. Just embrace the art and enjoy what you see. There is a lot of really cool stuff to find.
p.s. I’m not trying to start an online argument…or single out allgrownsup, I have just heard this before and thought id throw in my two cents.
Allgrownsup: Ok, I agree it’s inspiring and I also agree I’m super excited that the digital medium had made things more accessable and readily available for everyone (oh wait - didn’t I say that in my original post?). The only single thing I ask is that people don’t get a consumer camera and tote it around to a couple of shows and zoom in on some shots of some dude on a stage, post it on a blog, and call themselves a pro. THAT IS ALL. Not trying to open a big can of worms here, people - it’s simple: Cameras for everyone! Cameras abound! Just don’t call yourself a professional unless you are. And I say this as someone who is NOT a professional. If it doesn’t put food on your table, just call it a really fun hobby. If it buys you a steak dinner now and again, call it a fucking great hobby - but still, a hobby.
