June 23

5 comments

Recent Publication: Patagonia Spring 2012 Dealer Workbook

By Dan

June 23, 2011

Here’s another recent publication from a long time client, Patagonia. This image is currently running in their Spring 2012 Dealer Workbook.

I shot the photo a number of years ago during a weekend traverse in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Remember what I said the other day about in my Getty post about the lifespan of stock photos? This shot is way more than three years old, in fact Patagonia reproduced this ad from a 35mm slide.

That’s right, a piece of celluloid film that ran through the camera and reacted chemically to the actual light that was present at the scene, before being processed and stuck in a cardboard mount, and then shipped to Ventura, California, where it was personally handled by the editors at Patagonia. There was a sense of original reality to film that you just don’t get with digital anymore.

That doesn’t meant that I don’t love my digital camera, and in fact, compared a photo from a modern DSLR, this frame of Velvia doesn’t have near the dynamic range of a 14-bit RAW file. Sometimes it’s just fun to look back with a certain fondness and reflect on the way that things once were.

I believe there’s a term for that. It’s called “History.”

About the author

Hi, I'm Dan Bailey, a 25+ year pro outdoor and adventure photographer, and official FUJIFILM X-Photographer based in Anchorage, Alaska.


As a top rated blogger and author my goal is to help you become a better, more confident and competent photographer, so that you can have as much fun and creative enjoyment as I do.


  • Fortunately, I don’t have to look back at Velvia, it’s still my primary choice for photography. Tried digital, didn’t like it, so sticking with Velvia.

  • Actually, I think the better term might by nostalgia, Dan. At least that’s what I call it when I meander down that road.

  • Is Velvia the same stock as it was back in the day or have they changed the emulsion/film speed during the past few years? Also, I’m curious, what don’t you like about digital? I actually think it’s cool that you’ve stuck with film.

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