I’ve had a lot of folks asking me lately: “Hey Evan, why are you shooting film? What do you feel are the advantages?”

First off, let me assure you all that I still really enjoy shooting digital. I love digital. Digital can create wonderful and special images. Many of the best images I’ve ever captured are on digital. But my first love will always be film.

The best explanation that I can offer you is that the difference between film and digital is something I measure with my heart rather than with my head. I love the classic, organic look of a great fiber print, and you just can’t make digital prints look like that. If you wanted to argue that modern 35mm digital cameras offer better resolution, practically grainless low-light capability, easier and more comprehensive post-processing available, and various other objective advantages of digital, I wouldn’t argue with you. However, when it comes to putting an image on paper, the traditional film and silver-gelatin process creates gripping prints with a unique depth and grace. You can try to simulate the appearance of film and classic printing processes with modern digital technology, but you’ll never completely replicate the look. Even if you get close, the best you’ll ever be able to say is that you’ve created good fake film.

In the end, authenticity is what matters to me. I love the look of vintage black & white, but if I get there through digital trickery, I will always know that my work is pretending to be something that it is not.

If you’re a car lover, I have an analogy for you:

Some people lust after the 2010 Shelby GT500 Mustang, because its faster, handles better, and wins almost all of the objective measurements of car performance, comfort, and reliability.

Some people love the 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang, and will accept no substitutes. It’s not about a top-speed measurement, or modern air conditioning. Its about the unique growl of the engine under the hood, or the solid feel when you close the driver’s door. Its a passion.

And of course, some people will settle for replicas of the ’67. They’re nice cars, and might even fool the folks on the street. They might be fun to drive, and there is nothing wrong with them. But deep down, they’ll never be a real ’67.

I believe in classic cars.
I believe that Champagne only comes from Northern France.
I believe in products that are hand-made, the old fashioned way.
I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter.

And I believe in black and white film.

Tags: black and white, film