I recently visited my local camera store in Canada and interacted with the person working there about the film photography. He confirmed what I was already feeling by spending too much time on YouTube, telling me how popular it is and how popularity is increasing. He said that most of these young people are joining the film photography, and they cannot keep a used film camera in a display case for more than a few days; They are inflamed. Why so?
Diligence
I told the camera store Gai that I was considering going back to film photography after 20 years of break and inquired about Vikas.
He said that it takes 4-6 weeks to develop a role of the film and withdraw the scan. What?
He said that they send the film to America?
So I said, “Wait, take back the scan? I just want to develop a film; I don’t want a scan. Isn’t this a scan?”
He said, “They do not send you negative, only digital scans.” What?
“Do they keep your negative?”
“Yes.”
I asked what it means. The purpose of film photography is to take at least your negative and make large prints of your photos, or keep negative so that you can get a high-resolution scan when desired.
He said that youth who are in film photography do not want negative; They just want a digital scan. They want immediate results. They only want to share their photos online without a nuisance. Wtf!
“So why do they not use just a fruit -firing digital camera on Earth, in that case?” I answered.
Camera Store Gai shook its head in the agreement. We both shrunk. Stupid children.
I went out of the store in total mistrust. I made up my mind that I wanted to go back to film photography and had the ability to make my own high quality print. I had already detected my process. I take my negative and place them on my light box, and set my 48 MP digital camera with a 100 mm macro lens to shoot a high quality raw file. It would be much better than volume-scandal Little JPG images that will provide a laboratory.
As it turns out, after some research on the Interweb, I found a pair of Pro Labs in Toronto, which will only develop my film and give me negative. Good.
So why am I going back to film photography?
I am tired of technology. Technology is useful for client shoots to improve workflow, but I do not want for my personal projects – or need it. I again want a pure photography experience, where I am under complete control of the process. I am very close to it with my Leica Q2 monochrome, but I want to take it forward. I loved using a basic mechanical camera a day, so finally it is time to see that experience again and dust the old Nikon EL2.
Some professionals and opposition of film photography
You can pick up an old, yet very well -produced mechanical film camera from the 1970s, often associated with a 50 mm lens. You need to start your film-photography trip; I had all this for many years because I learned photography in the eighties.
On the other hand, the cost of a role of the film needs to be considered and developing. There are less laboratories than there, and the cost to meet the increased demand has increased. As already mentioned, you can turn your photos into high quality digital files at home with the right gear. Actually, you can also develop your film at home. I am considering that.
One more thing to consider that old cameras get out and break, and there are not many people who can serve or fix a camera as it used to be. It is expensive to have a CLA. A mint-condition film camera has now become a collector’s item, and prices have been shot. I have only seen some camera models quadrupled at a price in a few years.
Of course, because of this, if you can find a vintage camera in a truly luxurious position for a reasonable price, then either a year on the road – if you want to upgrade or decide film photography then not for you – you will not get your money back and can also make some dollars. Nikon and Lika are two brands I know well, and this is definitely the case with both of them.
Slow and improve your craft
The film photography allows you to slow down, be more intentional, and in fact focus on photography crafts without any distraction from technology.
What I like about film photography is this, because every shot costs money, you learn that “spray and hunting” do not take the approach to using with many digital cameras. This means that you think more about your subject, composition and time. It creates strong, intentional visual skills.
A simple mechanical film camera is the best way to learn photography. You learn basic things and quickly understand the aperture, shutter speed, and to focus on the LCD screen and technology who want to work for you. You become a more thoughtful and technically competent photographer, who will help you do no end when taking a modern technique and AI-pack digital camera- if in fact, you also want.
So it is worth repeating: a simple mechanical film camera is the best way to learn photography. Quite the statement, I know, but I am standing on it.
Many film photographers swear on the unique qualities of the film stock – with their grains, hales, color characteristics and flaws – all contribute to a specific final image. Some people say that a film photo has more emotion.
On the other hand, with some skills in editing apps such as a digital camera and Photoshop, it is quite easy to create images with vintage film-stock look. But hey, it is an easy thing to say. I have to be honest: I am on the fence about this. I know that I can make photos with a digital camera that they see that they were shot on the film, especially in Black and White, which I like most of the time. I can make the same look and feel – the same vibe. But is the film photography about the end result, beauty? No, this is more about the process, in my opinion. I think if I captured something special on the film, I will be more happy than making a big film print, as much as I print a digital. There is a completely mechanical and analog experience, well, an experience. It is satisfactory and rewarded. Okay, maybe now I am romantic about the past. I could change my mind about this in six months.
There is another argument for the film that I have not heard that there was a lot of discussion. Digital images are not forever. If you store a digital photo, the drive on which you store it is not made forever; It has a shelf life and will eventually fail. So you need to have several copies and potentially update your storage solution every few years.
On the other hand, negative and transparency can remain forever – definitely throughout life. Even print. I have negative and prints that are now over 40 years old, and they are equally good. Ideally, I also want a high-resolution digital backup, and it is a goal in the coming years: to copy my best work for digital solid-state drives.
Should you start film photography in 2025?
If you want a pure photography experience, enjoy the process, and not in a crowd, then yes.
But being a true artist should not be blind from any romantic point of view. You can still be a true artist going on a digital route. Many small photographers all feel and pay great attention to things like film-stock, which looks in exchange for making a good picture with a point. A meaningless photo is still a meaningless photo, whether shot on a film or digital. This is just that, with the film, that meaningless photo spent you a lot of money!
Nostalgia is part of analog experience, but more important is the fickleness of handling a mechanical device. This involves a challenge, as you need to understand the principles of photography, understand light and know how to use your camera. It is incredibly rewarding, knowing that whatever you do does not rely on technology to do any work for you. This is the ultimate way to express someone’s creativity in my humble opinion.
Another bonus of film photography is the community that has increased in recent years. There are lots of meatups and forums where you can share and learn.
I am documenting my film photography trip
After a few years of laxity, I am committed to returning to film photography after a 21 -year break. I am going to write a series of articles about my thoughts, experiences, gear and creativity.
There will also be a series of videos on my YouTube channel, so make sure that Pop to subscribe!
Have you recently returned to the film’s photography recently? If yes, then out of interest, which camera are you using, and why?
