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Posts: 584 | Thanked: 1,554 times | Joined on Sep 2019
#7346
Originally Posted by Maemish View Post
I thought about it but then there is differencies in production processes film versus digi cameras and then what it requires either to have cds, usb, sdcards or hard drives as storages or maintaining a cloud service which consumes energy all the time. I am not sure anymore which one is more ecological.
I'm sure it's important to keep in mind that even though electronic communication might save on paper, it is far from environmentally friendly.

Also the hardware itself (digital vs. analog camera) is probably less env. friendly.

OTOH the process of manufacturing photographic film and paper, and the development, definitely created a lot of nasty waste.

But I believe that we take much more pictures nowadays than, say, 30 years ago.
If we disregard that, digital photography as a whole might indeed by as env. harmful as analog photography.
If we count it per picture, I'd say it's much less harmful.

Here's an article about it (but I formulated my opinion before reading it). Its verdict:

It’s almost impossible to say which of analogue or digital photography is more eco-friendly. Each one has advantages and disadvantages depending on several different criteria, including manufacturing of the equipment, film processing, photo printing, and discarding. Luckily, you can work on making your photography more environmentally friendly either way.

With analogue photography, you will want to be mindful of how you develop your film, especially when it comes to the chemicals involved and their disposal. It’s important to stay current with proper chemical waste disposal methods to protect the environment. You may also want to consider your photo printing processes, so you can try to reduce paper waste.

However, with digital photography, the priority is in minimizing manufacturing waste. You want to shop smartly, choosing companies and products that are eco-friendly or even recycled. Another useful way to cut production costs is to maintain your camera and extend its lifespan as long as possible. You can also buy used equipment and sell your old gear.

Both types of photography have pros and cons when it comes to environmental impact. The good news is that you can improve the greenness of your photography, no matter if you’re shooting analogue or digital. As the photography industry continues to focus on becoming more eco-conscious, we can look forward to even more ways to go green.
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