Digital or Film?

Now that many photographers are shooting digital rather than film, I am often asked which is "better." I started shooting weddings on film, then added digital capability, and now usually shoot all digital - although I can shoot film on request.

Technology has come a long way in the last few  years. Digital camera manufacturers are now making their fourth generation of professional cameras - with resolutions from 6mp to 16mp for 35mm-sized slrs and up to 22mp for medium format cameras. In my opinion, the 3rd-generation cameras matched the quality of color film, and the 4th-generation cameras exceed it. Black-and-white is a more complex question, since some of the characteristics of b/w film cannot be easily duplicated digitally. However, in the hands of a good photographer - and one who is skilled in the postprocessing of digital images on the computer - digital b/w can be every bit as good as traditional. However, I can always shoot b/w film if requested.

Additionally, digital offers a number of other advantages. First, it allows the photographer much more flexibility. Instead of carrying 50 rolls of film of up to six types, I can now just carry a small wallet full of memory cards. Juggling types of film has been replaced by simply changing the settings on the camera. Additionally, professional digital cameras are actually more capable than film in handling low light situations.