After setting up this shot with rear current sync, a helpful lady passing by did a great job holding steady sans tripod. (I am the guy in teh front, BTW.) But what is really interesting about this pictures is that it was THE week I was trying out the Nikon Coolpix 5000 that I had purchased July 4th, 2002. Within just a couple of days of owning the camera, I was absolutely convinced that digital photography had come of age. I had owned an Apple Quicktake 100 (one of the first consumer digital cameras ever) back in 1995 or 96 and I had tried out various models of friends over the years but was always discouraged with the shutter lag (among other things).

When I tried the CP5000, I was REALLY impressed. In fact, I was so impressed, I ordered and received one of the first shipments of the Nikon D100. AND, because of digital, decided to return to active wedding photography since the limitations and challenges of film photography had become a non-issue. Ironically, I even returned to teaching photography and have been enjoying the benefits of digital photography within the classroom as well. I still teach film photography (even film processing to the 2nd year students) as film has it's role in the educational process...but I enjoy very much when the students graduate to the digital cameras and they can really start experimenting with their composition and exposure skills.

Sometimes I am asked why we just don't switch to 100% digital...and it all boils down to shutter lag. We have a nice stock of digital cameras, but they are point and shoots...and you can forget trying to catch the action except with a stroke of luck...and a bit of well anticipated timing. The shutter lag on a point and shoot digital camera is just too great. It is this fact that that make recommending a camera for a beginner difficult. A beginning photographer needs the benefit and freedom of learning with digital, but they might as well go ahead with the BIG purchase, and get a DLSR or their ability to aquire the really great shots is likely to be hindered.

As far as school, until the program can afford DSLRs in enough quaitity, we will continue learning on film cameras and supplementing with the digital cameras. Besides, the educational value of making a print in the darkroom is still priceless! :)