Going back to Steve's original question.  I believe that it is advantageous to have learned the basics using analogue equipment and transfer that knowledge to modern digital techniques.  I think it's an advantage because of focus.  When I had an old film camera, I concentrated on learning the basics of exposure and composition.  I didn't have to worry about learning Operating Systems and processing software.  

Although it may be more subtle, I believe the same situation exists in audio recording. I don't have much experience in a pro studio, but I have done some analog recording as a hobby.  I feel like using my old reel-to-reel helped me to understand how a DAW worked.  Then I could focus on learning the DAW rather than audio basics.  I also suspect that analog experience is useful for mic placement and understanding room acoustics.  

It all comes back to focus.  It's a benefit, but it's certainly not the only way to learn.  

Hey guys, thank you so much for all the really interesting replies
 
My own views are that the technological advances we are lucky enough to use in both fields ahould be embraced. Sometimes, depending on the tools to hand, it might well be of benefit to actually understand a particular process, or to know what's going on under the hood.
 
And on whichever side of the fence one falls, nobody can argue that high quality audio recordings and photographic images are now accessible to nearly everyone, and that must be a good thing.  In photography for example, unless you're after some pretty specific effect, choosing the 'program' or 'category' setting on your camera will probably get you what you want 95% of the time. If you're taking a portrait, and you select the appropriate pre-programmed setting, you really don't need to understand that your camera is going to open up the lens aperture to restrict depth of field, but you will know that the end result looks pretty good.
 
And surely the most important part of both processes - i.e. "creativity" - cannot be automated. This human element will always trump technical know-how in my opinion. I think the most important word in both the audio and photographic worlds is surely "composition". We must have a destination, or a defined end result to aim for, whether it be a beautifully written and produced song or a wonderfully atmospheric landscape, and whatever gets us there - the tools of the trade if you will, are just that - 'tools'.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SteveStrummerUK

We must have a destination, or a defined end result to aim for, whether it be a beautifully written and produced song or a wonderfully atmospheric landscape, and whatever gets us there - the tools of the trade if you will, are just that - 'tools'.

 
 
 
I couldn't have said it better myself.

My own views are that the technological advances we are lucky enough to use in both fields ahould be embraced. Sometimes, depending on the tools to hand, it might well be of benefit to actually understand a particular process, or to know what's going on under the hood.

Agree, Steve.
My feelings are that there are certainly a lot of parallels to digital photography and digital recording.  The advancements to equipment in both fields is absolutely remarkable.  It is still up to the artist, be it photographer, musician or engineer, to create the product that he sees in his head, or hears in his mind.
 
There are thousands of people that have digital DSLR’s these days, they set them on autofocus and auto exposer and shoot away.  Technically the pictures are in focus (most of the time) and somewhat correctly exposed.  I would consider these to be “snap shots” however.  The image was just captured, in the moment, as it is.
 
 Professional photographers have an image that they are going for in advance.  Sometimes they set up the photo’s with back drops and props.  Almost always they understand fully their lighting situation and have a pretty good idea how light will react in the photo, prior to even taking a shot.  Photography is a lot about the relationship of light and how it captures in print.  Some would probably say that the majority of sports photography is just “snap shots”.  Not really true though, sports photographers choose specific lenses, shoot at appropriate speeds, get themselves in the best position or “spot” to take the photo and still make choices on what will make a great composition.
 
Just like digital recording, good equipment is a must and the price of good equipment has come down; making it affordable and obtainable for a lot of folks to do more than at any other time in history.  This somewhat makes for a saturation in photos and music, in these times.  Exceptional music and photography is still produced by exceptionally creative people, however.  It is still the artist that works the medium, equipment and creative process.