|
If you insist on a film camera. The basic rule of thumb using film is to expose it correctly. In that regard, I would recommend using reversal film (slides). Slide film has a narrower exposure latitude than print film (negatives) and any errors in light exposure will be glaringly obvious. Not so with color negs. with a fairly wide 5 f-stop exposure latitude. The lab can make a passable print from a borderline neg. There are even more variables shooting B&W negs. I shake my head at the number of basic photo classes that begin with B&W photography.
Students should be taught composition and lighting and the effects from basic camera controls (shutter and f-stop), not futzing around with seeing images from underexposed negs.
Lessons learned in exposing film correctly under different lighting conditions transfer over to digital photography.
To practice composition, use a digital camera. Any P&S will suffice. Pixels are cheap. To add shutter and f-stop elements, a DSLR is usually required.
MHO,
Sherwood
|