On September 25th, there was a disturbing story, by James Bandler, in the Wall Street Journal discussing Eastman Kodak's future plans as they related to traditional film photography and digital imaging technologies. The title of the article was, "Kodak Shifts Focus From Film, Betting Future on Digital Lines." Here is the opening sentence of that article:

"Finally yielding to technology changes that have made its signature product outdated, Eastman Kodak Co. is preparing a big strategic move away from traditional film and plans to bet its future on new digital markets."

The entire WSJ article can be viewed at:
http://www.wsjclassroomedition.com/archive/03oct/kodak.htm

The above statement, and the article in general, caused concern among professional photographers, and serious photographic enthusiasts, alike. If the number of phone messages, emails, and notes I personally received are any indication, there were MANY, MANY individuals concerned that Kodak was "abandoning" traditional silver halide photographic materials.

I quickly contacted some friends at Kodak, to see what was up. I learned that many others had expressed concern about the Wall Street Journal article. I also learned that Kodak did, indeed, have an ongoing commitment to traditional silver halide photographic products, but this had not been mentioned in the article. I was sent a copy of an Eastman Kodak press release that was issued the day after the Wall Street Journal article had appeared. Here is the text of that press release in its entirety:

"Friday, September 26, 2003

Regarding Kodak's Sept. 25 investors meeting and the resulting reports and rumors:

Please be assured that Eastman Kodak Company remains fully committed to anticipating and meeting our customers' needs for film, whether these end-users are professional photographers, advanced amateurs or hobbyists, or consumer picture-takers. We know that these customers depend on their camera to record their special memories, whether the images are of everyday moments or special once-in-a-lifetime events. We remain dedicated to maintaining our leadership in the film market through a clear understanding of customer needs combined with related product planning, development, manufacture, marketing and sales.

To affirm this intention, we highlight the eight new or upgraded films introduced to the professional and consumer markets within the last two years alone. These include new color negative films (KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA Films and KODAK High Definition Films), color reversal films and new black & white films. We are very pleased that these films have received terrific acceptance by our customers. We also introduced numerous new high-quality papers for both the consumer and professional markets to ensure beautiful, long lasting images.

Kodak is committed to ensuring that our customers have increasing capabilities and opportunities to take, share, print and manage their images. While Kodak management acknowledged during the Investors' Meeting that the worldwide film market is declining, they reinforced our ongoing participation in film and a broader investment in image printing, sharing and image management capabilities. We believe that our professional, advanced amateur and consumer photography customers will be pleased by these directions."

You can view this document by following this link:
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/features/filmStatement.shtml


While the above Kodak press release is somewhat reassuring, it is important for all of us interested in traditional silver halide photography to realize that we are likely at a point where all photographic manufacturers are polishing their crystal balls as they look toward the future. As I mentioned in my newsletter last February it is imperative, if you truly LOVE the traditional materials you are working with, to continue to BUY and USE them. Sales represent the universal language that all manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers understand. To sit back and lament the passing of an era is fine, but as I mentioned before, purchase the materials that you value and cast your vote for their continued production

I was encouraged two years ago when Kodak decided to invest a SIGNIFICANT amount of money and resources to move the production of their black and white professional films into one of the most modern emulsion coating facilities on the planet. I doubt that they undertook this effort to simply "give up" on film and paper production. I was privileged to be a small part of the project as a consultant.

I try to make a conscious effort to use the materials that are important to my work. For example, I make all of my contact proof prints on the same fiber-based paper that I use for exhibition prints - rather than less expensive and faster to process resin coated papers. This is a small thing, but at this point I think we all need to pursue seemingly small decisions - which when done by many may amount to something larger than we could imagine. We all have only a limited amount of financial resources to invest in our tools, and we should continue to cast our votes on a regular basis for those tools that work best for us. Remember... "Vote early, and vote often!"

In addition, be sure to communicate regularly with photographic manufacturers, via their toll-free numbers or web sites. Tell them how valuable the products they make are to you, and your photography. This can do nothing but help let manufacturers know that there are people out there who appreciate and use their products. I would prefer to change the tools that I work with when it is MY choice, rather than a manufacturer's marketing decision. Long live silver!!!