Bryan Peterson's latest book

I'm in the middle of reading his newest book, Close up Photography, and it seems he's done away with film. He only mentions and shows his d2x, d300, and Canon 5D (for use with 65mm 1x-5x macro). It's a shame that a photographer like Bryan doesn't see the good characteristics that film has over digital at times.

I think it's a delight that a photographer like Bryan sees the good characteristics that digital has over film at times!

I'm sure he understands the value of each medium, but with his readership probably 99.99999% digital (film photographers probably not being in the market for the book), don't you think it makes sense to write the book to help digital shooters maximize their results?

Mosca wrote in post #8218794
I think it's a delight that a photographer like Bryan sees the good characteristics that digital has over film at times!

I'm sure he understands the value of each medium, but with his readership probably 99.99999% digital (film photographers probably not being in the market for the book), don't you think it makes sense to write the book to help digital shooters maximize their results?

Agreed! The readership of books is probably well over 90% digital, with the exception of photography students.

A guy like Peterson probably also sees the savings of digital. I remember reading in one of his books that he spent a weekend somewhere in Europe, and shot 114 rolls of film! 2,736 digital images are a bit cheaper than processing all that film.

I'm on my fourth book of his. He's a very helpful and informative teacher.

Sounds like Bryan P has embraced technology, accepted the reality that film is dying off while digital is reigning as king and understands his audience so his book sales increase

I bought the book "Understanding Digital Photography" instead of "Understanding exposure". They both seemed very similar content, but this one a bit more modern to digital photography. Good for him on staying up to date and making books worth buying!

Naturalist wrote in post #8219901
Sounds like Bryan P has embraced technology, accepted the reality that film is dying off while digital is reigning as king and understands his audience so his book sales increase

Just being popular doesn't always make you king or best. Just more popular. I shoot more film now than digital because I realize the good characteristics and attributes of film, e.g. digital (and high contrast slide film) is poor on a sunny sky day in the afternoon, where negative film just rocks.

I'll be doing an outdoor familhy portrait of my sister's family this fall and will likely use a 160 speed film mostly.

Happy, I know what you mean. I've been shooting film since 1973 and only went digital in 2001, but when the death bell was sounded on Kodachrome that should have been everybody's wake up call that there is little market for film.

What we'll probably end up with, FWIW, is limited amounts of film being used strictly by the purists.

I think the end of Kodachrome is the last nail in the coffin for film by the average users. Here in southeastern Michigan it's just too hard to get film. And far too costly for that matter.

Jon.

I started with digital a year ago and switched to film this winter because I was falling into digital traps. Now I shoot both. I'm still very much taking baby steps, but I have a direction.

Peterson's classic works are almost 100% film oriented. The reason they have remained relevant as photographers embrace digital is because the underlying principles are independent of the type of sensor (chemical or electronic). And that means that the new book should be relevant to all, as well.

And you should remember that underneath its analog cloak, reality is actually digital. It is the coarseness of our sensors that cause us to perceive it as analog. Once the digits are below the level of our perception they become irrelevant.

HappySnapper90 wrote in post #8220592
Just being popular doesn't always make you king or best. Just more popular..

It's not about being popular. It's not even about a medium. It's about money.

Brian Peterson is a photographer. But to get his books printed, he needs a publisher. A publisher's sole purpose is to make money. If peterson approaches a publisher with a book idea: "Having Fun with your Twin Lens Reflex" it ain't gonna' be published because there is no market.

You're looking at things from a romantic perspective - film. They're looking at things from a business perspective - profit. It's all about the money.

CannedHeat wrote in post #8221742
It's not about being popular. It's not even about a medium. It's about money.

Brian Peterson is a photographer. But to get his books printed, he needs a publisher. A publisher's sole purpose is to make money. If peterson approaches a publisher with a book idea: "Having Fun with your Twin Lens Reflex" it ain't gonna' be published because there is no market.

You're looking at things from a romantic perspective - film. They're looking at things from a business perspective - profit. It's all about the money.

well said.......

Jon Foster wrote in post #8220785
I think the end of Kodachrome is the last nail in the coffin for film by the average users.

Since when were average users using Kodachrome lately? It was $8 a roll and cost $15.50 for shipping and developing for a single roll so I seriously doubt any average users were using it. It's now $10 a roll (very hard to get since it sells out quickly) and $17 for shipping and developing for a single roll.

Average user being the type of shooters on boards like this.

Jon.

Jon Foster wrote in post #8222349
Average user being the type of shooters on boards like this.

Users on here are not average users, they are enthusiasts. There's a big difference.