What is digital photography?

Strictly speaking, digital photography is defined as the use of a digital camera to capture images. However, this site encompasses the broader meaning, referred to as digital imaging, which includes any means of transferring pictures from the analog to digital world. It includes the use of regular film and slide cameras, with subsequent digitization, most commonly through scanning. It also includes the use of digital cameras, which allow pictures to be taken digitally directly, via media such as compact and smart flash, or digital film backs to conventional SLR cameras.

What are the advantages of digital photography?

Everyone has different reasons for choosing digital photography. I will mention here a few of the reasons I made the transition to digital cameras completely several years ago. After losing several rolls of slide film back to back- to different processors, I became wary of losing precious images. I had lost a roll en route to or from the processor on nearly every trip I've taken over the past 25 years, since shooting seriously, and digital provided a way for me to take control of the processing. When finished shooting, I immediately transfer the cartridge to my computer, and on a weekly basis back it up to compact disc to archive off-site.

Another big plus is, once you make the initial investment in a digital camera (which averages under $1000 currently for top of the line prosumer models, with prices steadily dropping) the cost of shooting is essentially free. On some days in the field, I shoot the equivalent of ten or more rolls of film, and don't pay a thing for film or developing. Because of this, I shoot more freely than I used to, when calculating the cost each time I pressed the shutter. Now, I experiment more with exposure, metering, and even choice of subjects. Where in the past I might have shot one or two individuals of a plant or animal, now I'll shoot a dozen, to make sure I get just the right one, from just the right angle.

Still another advantage is the instant feedback in the field. Using the LCD screen, you can compose the shot visually in the field, and with playback mode can review the shot instantly for sharpness, exposure, and even on some of the newer models (like the Nikon 990 I'm currently using) get a histogram display of the image. Combining this with review after every field session on the computer, and it provides enough feedback right away to determine if the shot needs to be redone. With film, many times by the time I got the developed film back, it was too late to try shooting my subjects again.