helped the camera.. ? surly you mean helped photography
talking about commercial use. digital rules. instant results gained cheaper. end of story.
as for the craft. after a shot is taken with a film camera you are unaware of how the shot will look until you are in the darkroom. this anticipation combined with the skill required - make this a process folks fall in love with.
i don't think many folks will fall in love with taking 50 shots on a digital box then grading the chosen shot in photoshop.
the instant nature of digital photography, the mithical status of photoshop and the accessible price of digital cameras has lead to a real downturn in the quality of photography used in commercial work - this is due to clients having trouble understanding why they should pay for pictures when - "look it's easy.. 'click' seeee.." ... .... ..."What? Yes, i know it's crap - but you can sort that by photoshoping it, can't you?"
this also hasn't been helped by readily available cheap nasty stock photography. but that's another story.
personally speaking as someone who commissions photographers from time to time. a photographer who understands photoshop and retouching is far more useful than a photographer that only knows how to take a picture. there'll always be a role for the skilled photographer in the commercial world.
just an evloved, less fun, unromantic and reduced one.