Honestly i would rather print my pictures becuase they have more of a value to them where you can actually see and touch your pictures unliek just keeping them in the camera or on computer. And for me i like using film cameras more than i do digital and i like to develope the pictures myself. It just gives you a feeling of accomplishment and its fun.

and i think thats how printing places stay in business nowdays because people want to see the pictures in real life not just on a screen.

They stay in business because 10's of millions of people across the country get photos printed each day.

Maybe when everyone has digital photo frames included with those 500GB computers attached to their wrist, with virtual feeds thru an eyepiece, printed photos will no longer be necessary.

But again. Most people just prefer the look of a real photo, to that of a monitor screen. So, I guess not even the wrist 'puter will kill prints.

I use a digital camera, and I have thousands of pictures stored on my computer. They look much better on the screen than on paper, I think, but the reason why I always go through and print the best of them is I just don't trust my computer. It's reassuring, somehow, to have a hard copy and know if the computer crashes tomorrow and I lose all my files, I still have those pictures. It's also a good idea to put them on a disc.

I think the photo printing places stay in business with peole wanting photos for display, blown up to poster size and framed, etc. Just because digital photographs as little numbered files is way easier, doesn't mean photo printing is done for.

pay attention people
the only photos you will pass on to future generations are the ones you take the time to print. Dont for one minute expect the technology we use today to be supported in as little as 20 years. Just look back; some of you dont remember punchcards (or even know what I am talking about) how about 8 inch floppies?More recently 5.25 floppies and dont kid yourself cd's are only a blip on the timeline it's only a matter of time before they are as obsolete as 8 track tapes.

Prints arent permanent but for something to be viewed in 50 years or more they have a proven track record. So print anything you want to pass on to your children's children and if you wish to give them a double chance of seeing their family history shoot family photos on film.

Yes, oh yes, people do still print out photos, mainly from photo kiosks. My sister-in-law wants printed photos of her baby, as do many parents who are creating all those scrapbooks and proud grandparents who will whip out a pic in a flash.

what do you mean is there a point?
wouldnt you like to display a nice big photo that you are proud of in a very nice frame?
wouldnt you like to hand out copies to your friends and see their reaction instantly and truthfully?
my friend, there is a point to printing photos as you could display them allover your house,
i intend to print out some of my favourite photos and decorate my room with them.
plus people still love the feel or recieveing a roll of film from the develpoing center and people also like to use film too.
i know ido.
:]

as a pro photographer, there is no substitute for a printed photo. no screen can ever give the effect that a well printed, well framed picture does.
its not just about taking pictures, its also about how you present them

In addition to all the reasons given there's something very warm and social about sitting down and viewing a photo album with a few people, or even passing pictures around the living room or kitchen table. Something that just can't be replaced by everyone huddling around a computer screen.

fuma74 is right!

In addition, why not print out your own pictures for your own home or office decor instead of paying for someone else's? You can change them at will and often if you do.