ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses why we want to capture digital images and discusses several of the advantages offered by new digital capture technology.
To begin, we might ask, “Why is the photographic industry changing to digital imaging?” First, though, let us consider how this technology has evolved. History has shown us that when a new technology emerges we can expect resistance from providers of established technologies who are concerned about their products being displaced. In this case, digital imaging technology is the new technology, and silver halide photography is the older one. Advocates for a technology already in place tend to put up an energetic defense of the economic and social status that has been gained by the existing technology over time and will argue against adoption of the new innovation. For this reason, we will examine here the struggle for supremacy that is currently taking place between digital imaging and film-based photography.
