As we advance further with technology and approach a mainly virtual world, the notion that ‘print is dead’ has grown a great deal. And though many aspects of our lives are more convenient in a digital format, there are still advantages to having print incorporated one way or another. Here are some pros & cons to each format in regards to photographs.
Pros:
- Archival
- Can be displayed on a wall for other people to see
- Can be shared in books, magazines, & cards
- Can be made quite large (depending on resolution/megapixels), so every detail can be seen
Cons:
- Can be subject to wear & tear if handled frequently
- Can be damaged by fire, flooding, & all other natural disasters
- Uses ink & paper (will eventually be thrown away)
Digital
Pros:
- Convenient
- Uses light to be seen, no physical products (better for the environment)
- Can be posted online for potentially the world to see
- Can be sent quickly in email or messages to others
Cons:
- Can be lost, deleted, or corrupted
- Relies on internet connection or data plan in order to be posted/sent
- Needs electricity or battery power on the device to be displayed
So even though we are using less print items nowadays, it still has many great properties that can’t be replaced entirely by digital means. I predict that it will still be a medium that photographers & other types of artists will still use for many years to come.
May the light be with you.
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