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What is Film Photography?

Film photos aren’t very different from digital photos. Most people might have a hard time spotting the difference between a digital or film photo.

Here’s an example of a photo I took on a film camera vs. my iPhone- See if you can guess which is which:

The left image is an iPhone 11 Pro panoramic image. The image on the right is a 35mm color film photo.

Film photos have much better quality than digital photos. The colors are also more natural and more accurate to real life.

If you look closely, there is a texture to the film photo that is very difficult to create digitally.

Film captures moments from a perspective that digital photos can’t compete with.

The biggest difference is in the process. Digital photos are instant, but film photos take time to see the result.

This creates a high value for film photos. Here is a summarized list of the film photography process:

• Get a Film Camera
  • [“They’re expensive.” _{-me, a broke college student}]
• Buy Film
  • [“Also expensive.” _{-me again}]
• Load the Camera
  • [“Putting film in a camera is the biggest rush of adrenaline you can get.” _{-someone who stays inside most of the time}]
• Take Pictures
  • [“The fun part! I love not being able to see the photo I took!” _{-me, being a little sarcastic}]
• Develop Film
  • [“Actually not too expensive if you know what you’re doing. Never trust CVS/Wallgreens” _{– speaking from experience}]
• Scan/Print Images
  • [“Find cheap ways to do this.” _{-me, still a broke college student}]
• Ignore Most of the Bad Pictures and Post the Good Ones!

This process is what gives most film photographers their passion. In the world of film photography, the way you can manipulate this process and photos is endless. Different cameras, film, lenses, developing processes, and much more.

Here are samples of different cameras I’ve used:

Film Cameras

Polaroid

This is the camera that is probably the most accessible and popular type of film.

Here’s Why:

• Affordable
  • Compared to other film cameras, or even digital cameras, they are much cheaper.
• Photos Are Almost Instant
  • This as created an increase in popularity of film. It makes the process shorter.
• Film
  • The film is cheaper, faster, and cool!

Average Film Cameras

Film cameras come in many shapes and sizes. They aren’t manufactured like they used to be.

The price of a camera can depend on the rarity of the camera or lens. This is why film cameras can be a very expensive investment.

However, there are many affordable cameras that can be found by a quick google search!

Large Format Film Camera

This is a Large Format Film Camera.

As you can imagine, these cameras are rare and difficult to use. So they’re expensive

An average film camera holds film that is 1×1.5 inches, with 36 captures in one roll of film.

Large Format Cameras come in many shapes and sizes.

The one you see here holds 4×5 inch film.

Instead of one roll of film, the film holder can hold 2 pieces of this sized film.

I’ve used this Large Format Camera for a project that took 4 months to complete.

For more information about these cameras, or to view my project, click here.

Film and developing

Film

Finding the right film depends on your camera and lens. Most user-friendly cameras, like disposables, have an automatic feature.

This makes it easier for unexperienced photographers who don’t utilize the ISO, Shutter Speed, F-Stop/Aperture or Light Meter.

If these are terms you’d want to learn more about, please leave a comment! I would love to make a post about these features and how to use them!

Some of the most common types of film are listed here.

Use the links attached if you’re interested in starting film photography:

• Average Film Cameras:
  • Color Film Rolls
  • Black and White Film Rolls

If you’re just starting, I’d highly recommend beginning with Black and White film. It’s a much easier process and way more affordable than color film.

Developing

There are many different ways to get your film developed.

Here is a list of ways you can go about getting your disposable camera pictures or your rolls of film:

• Developing Kit
  • If you know how to develop your own film, this is the best way to go. You control the entire process.
    • If you’d like to learn how to develop your own film, leave a comment below.
• Indisposable
  • This company is the most convenient way to develop your film if you don’t have a local developing shop near you.
    • Just ship your roll of film to them for around $25, and they’ll upload your pictures to their app where you can download them.
• Local Developing Shop
  • This is here to avoid using the last option and help local businesses.
    • Example: I go to a store called Lumenation in the Boston area, which is the cheapest option out of them all. Plus you avoid CVS or Walgreens screwing up your film.
• Walgreens/CVS
  • THIS IS A LAST RESORT. ONLY DO IT IF YOU HAVE TO

Film Photographer Blog

If you’d like to learn about film photographers and their experience, click here!

Be sure to subscribe to the blog to stay updated. Thanks for reading, it’s appriciated. _-sawyer

Colter Film