There are many landfills in the small towns across America, and they appear much like the above image - most of them are much larger . These landfills contain many years of trash, refuse, chemicals, and materials both man-made and natural.
Many years ago when I was first learning the skills of photography, I was also learning the back-end of the art - the darkroom. While mixing and using the many chemicals to process the film and then produce the prints, I never gave much thought to their disposal when I was finished with them.
After moving to a small town, it became obvious to me what was happening with these chemicals - they were ending up in the landfill where they would continue to leach into the ground and air for many years to come.
I am so pleased with the direction that photography has taken in the last ten years. The digital camera has been a gift to the environment - there is no need for the toxic chemicals to develop the images.
The batteries in the cameras are rechargeable which is another positive for the environment.
It is a good feeling to be able to enjoy this art that I so dearly love and not have to worry about the damage that my actions would be causing to the environment. And all the money that I am saving is just an added bonus!
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Very good point, not sure why I hadn't thought about like that before.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Thanks for participating!
ReplyDelete-Jos:)
Very good points! I enjoy digital photography so much more just because I seem to have limitless "film" when I was so constrained before. But now that I've read your point of view, I see that I like it for an even more important reason. Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage
ReplyDeleteIncredible how everyday processes usually involve some sort of contamination. I remember cleaning out a darkroom once and the guy said, regarding the chemicals, "Just pour them into the sink." I didn't think it was a big deal until later on. Good tie-in of digital photography with the environment.
ReplyDeleteGreat post for Blog Action Day! Here is mine if you want to check it out http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/10/15/blog-action-day-crafting-with-recycled-materials/
ReplyDeleteExcellent point, Kathy, and a very lovely photo to go with it. Love that blue sky!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a wonderful point and again, I did the same thing as I grew up not thinking as well where the chemicals went. Fantastic post, it puts a whole new perspective on digital photography that I had never seen before.
ReplyDeleteGreat event to support. Anna :) PS you are doing great job passing the right message. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pertinent post to our daily photo bloggers on this UNITE day. Bravo, KML.
ReplyDeleteI could fill a landfill with film the first couple of years I stared shooting, digital has saved me time, money and helped the environment. Good choice.
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for commenting and supporting Blog Action Day - as we are all using digital cameras - we are all doing are part for the environment while still enjoying ourselves.
ReplyDeleteGood point about film and contaminates, with digital you don't get that plus you have software like photoshop that you can do marvelous things with.
ReplyDeleteCannot agree more with you KML, great point you made with this poast of yours :) And as an avid digital photographer I can only be pleased about the aspect of not being part of the problem while making loads of photos daily ;)
ReplyDeleteHow true! And we don't have to spend money and waste paper to buy all those prints at the photo store, just to get a few good ones out of the bunch and eventually throw the rest away! All that photo paper in the landfills wasn't good, either!
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