When I first started photography in 2009, I learned with an old borrowed 35mm film camera. Everyone told me I needed to make the jump into digital if I was really going to go anywhere with photography. So I listened to everyone else and got my first digital camera within the year. Since then, I have spent years replicating the look that I was getting with that old borrowed camera.
About four years ago I decided that I wanted to bring film back into my work. To breathe new life into my art. I mean… I had spent so long trying to make my work look like film, so why not just shoot film again!
“I wish I could describe what it is exactly that draws me to film, but I just can’t. It’s the way it makes me feel when I see an image shot on film.”
2018 was the year where I allowed myself to dabble in film again. Trying a roll or two at a session here and there. I attended a workshop where I shot mostly film and even shot a few editorials where I also shot mostly in film. I
In slowing working my way back into film, I thought I would share with you some of the simple and quick tips that I have found very helpful as I dive back into
6 Quick Tips for Beginning to Shoot Film
- Use an external light meter- This is the exact one that I have.
- Film loves light!- Like a lot of light!
Film isn’t cheap! So take your time and really shoot with intent.- Start small- I started in 2018 with the Canon 1v 35mm. It was fairly inexpensive and it allowed me to use the Canon lens that I was already using with my digital bodies. I wasn’t ready to dive all in and purchase an expensive film camera when I wasn’t sure how if
film was going to be a good fit for me and my clients. - Try different film labs until you find the one that works for you- I have been using The FIND Lab and PhotoVision. I love that The FINDLab offers a service that will give me feedback on my film. This has been really helpful in learning to get the look that I want. PhotoVision is based about an hour away from me and typically has a very fast turn around time, which is great for someone like me who is super impatient
ahah . - Shoot different film stocks in the same session or setting.- This allowed me to see how each stock will react for that setting and light. Some film stocks will read green differently. I personally have quickly fallen in love with Fuji 400h.
Obviously, there is
