Yes silver-based photography will be niche, no doubt it already is. I'd emphasize that doesn't mean it's going to disappear, or cease to be a legitimate art form in its own right. Film won't compete with digital imaging, best to think of it as an entirely different medium.
Of course you're right about transparency films having little latitude, especially on the overexposure side, but this is also true for digital cameras. A lot of the "old" techniques are still applicable in the new digital world.
The astonishing possibilities of film are exemplified by many artists, one of the all time geniuses IMO is Jerry Uelsmann [0] whose work back in the 1960's anticipated imagery of the digital era.
Interestingly, there's a shop in town that specializes in old film cameras and related equipment. Speaking with the owner I thought most of the customers would be old-timers like me. To my surprise he said nearly all his paying customers were under 30 years old. To them, digital is old hat, they were looking to try something different and "authentic". Most of us experienced photographers were using digital gear. FWIW his business is thriving.
Yes silver-based photography will be niche, no doubt it already is. I'd emphasize that doesn't mean it's going to disappear, or cease to be a legitimate art form in its own right. Film won't compete with digital imaging, best to think of it as an entirely different medium.
Of course you're right about transparency films having little latitude, especially on the overexposure side, but this is also true for digital cameras. A lot of the "old" techniques are still applicable in the new digital world.
The astonishing possibilities of film are exemplified by many artists, one of the all time geniuses IMO is Jerry Uelsmann [0] whose work back in the 1960's anticipated imagery of the digital era.
Interestingly, there's a shop in town that specializes in old film cameras and related equipment. Speaking with the owner I thought most of the customers would be old-timers like me. To my surprise he said nearly all his paying customers were under 30 years old. To them, digital is old hat, they were looking to try something different and "authentic". Most of us experienced photographers were using digital gear. FWIW his business is thriving.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Uelsmann