Fred Ritchin

    Photography, an art form in need of no explanation, captures a world where the ordinary transcends into the extraordinary. Though, to have the title of a photographer is to take on a role which demands creative ingenuity beyond that of an commoner, and also a - at the very least - mild understanding of their subjects. It is this criteria that Fred Ritchin delves into in his 2009 book 'After Photography'. Moreover, he discusses the impact that the then 'up-and-coming' digital age would have on photography.

    The argument of analog photography versus digital photography has been prevalent since the latter's inception in 1975 via the talented Steven Sasson. The feud has only been fueled throughout the past forty eight years as technology has rapidly evolved, entering us into a complex yet innovative digital era. Ritchin chose to tackle the subject at a very timely moment in history: the first iPhone has been introduced two years prior, and digital photography was taking over the scene completely. And like many others, his takes were not too different from others'.

    “The digital environment encourages new strategies and supports them with new efficiencies,” (Ritchin, 2009). Ritchin praises the new digital age for bringing about fresh dexterity and convenience when it comes to photography, but later goes on to note the 'cons', so to speak. “The pixelated photograph’s ephemerality on the screen and its easy linkage as well as the impression that it is just one communication strategy among many, reduce the individualized impact of the photograph as it appears on a piece of film or paper,” (Ritchin, 2009).

    Ritchin argues the point of the quality of a digital photograph, saying in laymen's terms that it is factually inferior to that of an analog photo's. He also argues that digital photos simply will not age as well as that of the aforementioned, a statement that has only been proven true as time goes on. 

    All in all, Fred Ritchin documented very powerful points that still ring true fourteen years later. It's hard to disagree with most of what he says; analog photography, though surely outdated, is still vastly more powerful than anything that could be taken with a digital camera. It provides a more raw outlook on its subject, something that is hard to replicate with any other piece of technology.