When I got back into photography about ten years ago I was of the mindset that “real” photography had to be film photography. And to be specific, it had to be black and white film. Over time I found color film stocks that I really enjoyed using, like Ektar100. And then I bought my first digital camera, a Sony a350.
They're all perfectly legitimate artistic choices for photography. The basic skills exist in all these formats as well as the need for understanding the exposure triangle. When I think back on my initial mindset when I bought my first Minolta 35mm SLR I feel kind of silly and embarrassed. It's kind of cringey.
I still shoot film and develop my own negatives for the most part, but I know now that it doesn't make me “pure” in any way.