Too much exposure?

I know I said I’d post some grid shots today, but I ran across this quote the other day that got me to thinking about an argument I keep hearing against digital photography: Namely, some argue that because the fact that you only have 12-36 exposures available on a single roll of film, it forces you to be a more disciplined and therefor thoughtful photographer.

I personally think the idea is a bit silly — if I want to be a more efficient and thoughtful photographer, I’ll just make myself take fewer shots. And I feel like my viewpoint got a little validation from a great Ansel Adams quote I read recently. (Though it did come with some enforcement of holding back the “take every shot you can” approach at points.)

“It is tempting with small cameras and roll films to make a great number of exposures to be ‘safe.’ True, there will always be one that is better than the others, but that does not mean it is a good photograph! The best 35mm photographers I know are efficient and make relatively few exposures. They know what they want to do, and do not rely on the ‘scattered’ approach. ”

– Ansel Adams in “The Camera.” Circa 1980 or so

Take a second to think about that. And replace “small cameras and roll films” with “digital cameras.” Sound familiar? It is NOT the medium that leads to sloppy, thoughtless photography. Sure, it can make it more possible, but it is entirely the fault of the photographer.

There is plenty of techno guilt these days, but a look back in time will show that we are far from the first generations to experience this. I think it might be even more beneficial for us to force ourselves to hold back and think some more when we are capable of shooting 400 more exposures, than for us to have no other option.

Of course, there are times for the 400 exposures to come in handy, too. And Adams agreed!

“The fact that this approach is relatively wasteful of exposures is of little concern if justified by the results. I wish to reaffirm that, while I believe in the basic ‘classic’ approach to photography as the most rewarding, at least while learning, there is no limit to the personal scope of the medium. Photography is indeed, an indecisive language.”

Amen, I say.

Listening: Mates of State