Many people are rediscovering the joy of film, from the anticipation of waiting for your prints to the unique look that only film can provide.
Coming to you from Chris Lee with pal2tech, this engaging video explores why shooting film on analog cameras has gained popularity again. Lee highlights the intentionality that comes with a limited number of shots. You have to think carefully before pressing the shutter. The delay between shooting, developing, and finally seeing your prints creates a nostalgic and satisfying experience. The video also touches on instant cameras like the Fujifilm Instax series, which offer the excitement of instant gratification with physical photos.
Film also brings a special connection to the moments you capture. As Lee explains, the film in your camera is a witness to the scene, present at that exact time and place. Whether shooting Kodachrome slides or prints in a dark room, each shot becomes a piece of history. This tangible aspect of film makes it more meaningful. You can physically handle the film that was there when you captured the image, creating a deeper connection to your memories.
Lee shares personal anecdotes that illustrate the magic of film. For instance, he talks about shooting slides around the world and the joy of handling the film that captured those moments. He also recalls early experiments in his dark room, like a long-exposure shot of Sunset Boulevard at 3 a.m. These stories emphasize the immersive and personal nature of shooting with film, which digital photography often lacks.
A particularly charming part of the video is when Lee plays a 50-year-old audio recording of himself as a child, capturing the sounds of the Panama Canal. This recording exemplifies how analog mediums, whether film or tape, become a part of the experience and preserve it in a way digital can't. Lee’s enthusiasm for film is palpable, and his advice is simple: if you’re considering trying film, go for it. You’ll find it a rewarding and enriching part of your photographic journey. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Lee.
I learned photography in the mid 70s. Manual everything, B&W darkroom. I went digital 20 years ago. I tried film again 5 years ago. Not for me anymore.
I wonder when we are going to realize the extreme impact on the environment is ever going to become evident to film photographers. I loved shooting film for so many years and I am currently a technician at a photolab that processes hundreds of rolls every day. The plastic and metal trash are mounting. I think that we should reconsider how much film should be shot. Every week I take out a garbage bag full of 120 roll film backing, 35mm canisters, and plastic spools that amount to 30-40 lbs. We recover the silver in the fixer. So much water is used to clean the film. So much electricity to heat the developer and dry the film. If you think that you are so cool to discover that vintage way of loving photography, maybe you should take a second look. Not much of the images are worthy of even sharing....
film photography does not make up a significant portion of emissions or degradation to the environment. Land use aka suburban sprawl, agriculture, transportation, energy generation and buildings are far more damaging. You should look at the larger picture first before going after film. Also consider the amount of energy to store files in the cloud....
Yup. Shooting FILM will teach you to master all elements of your images, and HOW to get the right exposures.
Film also teaches patience, and to always shoot in MANUAL mode.
Machines/cameras don't SEE your pictures, and do NOT have brains.
Digital can do the same without the ecological waste and cost. Sadly my Nikons from the 1970s to 1990s never had brains but I did! :-)
They had little tiny brains that could figure out exposure.
You should dive a little deeper into ecological destruction before saying things like that
I am not sure how shooting FILM is teaching you to be the master of your film domain.
If I shoot a roll of FILM at the wrong setting I won't know until a week later when I get the FILM from the lab and see that it is under or overexposed, out of focus etc. and unless I kept an exposure record I won't know what to do differently. With a digital camera I can see immediately that it needs adjustment and make a correction and shoot at a correct exposure learning instantly what the correct exposure, focus, composition is.
FWIW for years I shot medium and large format FILM and we shot Polaroids to confirm the settings, focus and composition etc. because cameras do not have brains...but today's cameras do ;^)