Film photography may have taken a nose dive in relevance within the industry, but it’s no less fun than it once was. With a lot of film stock options, now is as good a time as any to give it a go.
Film photography is something I believe every photographer ought to try at least once. If you’ve only ever known digital, which is more and more often the case these days, then the whole process can seem alien. It is, however, highly rewarding and enjoyable.
I started buying old film cameras simply because I liked the aesthetic. It wasn’t necessarily my intention to shoot with them all — and I haven’t — but I still wanted them as ornaments and relics of the industry I both work in and love. Inevitably though, I bought some film and took some shots for the first time nearly a decade ago, and while my first images were underwhelming, I did love the process.
Shooting analog is far more tactile with clicks, whirs, and levers. The limited number of shots mean you take your time with composition, settings, and moment selection. The wait for the film develop builds an anticipation loop that’s oddly enjoyable even when the images aren’t that great. It feels antiquated, but that’s much of the charm.
In this video, join veteran film photographer, Joe Greer, as he walks you through seven tips for shooting on film.