5 reasons to shoot film (or at least try it)

Most people nowadays see shooting film as something old or done for the nostalgia of it all, besides hybrid shooters (shoot both film + digital) for weddings and other events. Using film is becoming rare as digital becomes the obvious choice with the ease, affordability and instant viewing/editing capabilities it offers. I'm sure you've probably had some contact with film in your life since digital cameras are a relatively recent development.

Last fall I enrolled in my first film photography class in college. Prior to school, I'd taken several week-long courses where I was taught digital basics as well as photojournalism. And I have been taking pictures since I received my first camera (film) for my 12th birthday, so I felt like I had the technical settings down. But I was interested in learning film for the sake of the coolness of it (also a little wary too because of the $$) even though I didn't know then how much it would help me in my process as an artist and image-maker.

This class was strictly B&W film - Ilford HP5 and we would be taking our images from start to finish - shooting, developing and printing our work in the darkroom (or The Cave as we like to call it).

**Before I go into reasons to shoot film let me just say, I love shooting digital. I love being able to shoot with my phone. I love the instant gratification and processing on my computer. But there is something to be said for film (which is why I'm writing this post and perhaps why you're reading it). :) Also my film experience is primarily with 35mm film taking it from capturing, developing, processing and printing my images - start to finish.

Here are 5 five reasons to shoot film (or at least try it):

1 :: It was the start of photography. Digital cameras and Lightroom/Photoshop settings are based off of film and the darkroom process because of the foundation film gave photography. When I took the course in the fall, I started to understand the why of photography. I began to connect the dots between film + digital and how they relate to each other.

2 :: It gives a slower pace to the creative process. With digital, the process is relatively quick when shooting. There is the insurance of deleting, retaking, instant viewing, and a lot of storage on SD (secure digital) or CF (compact flash) cards. Shooting film forces you to contemplate, view and see what you're taking in real life before taking the picture. Often I find myself snapping away with my digital camera without thinking too much about what I'm taking. There is a lot of freedom in that but I've discovered my film work has improved my digital work simply because I am taking the time for exposure before I shoot (cuts down on the processing work later). The more you practice the faster you'll get.

3 :: It's unpredictable (to a degree). You really just don't know what you'll get. You can hope and aim for what you want, but it's always a fun surprise. Many times in the darkroom, I have been happily surprised by an outcome of my film. Think of it like Christmas morning. The anticipation, excitement and suspense... :)

4 :: It's tangible. I've discovered that I have thousands of digital images stored on my hard drive and most of them never make it to print... Sometimes they will, but often they are filed away or uploaded to Facebook. There is something about holding your images in your hands. I feel like it has connected me to my work more being able to hold it, flip photo by photo or spread them all out on the ground - arranging and rearranging. Especially if you have access to a darkroom, there's just something awesome about taking your work from shooting, to developing, to print. Even getting your photos developed at Walmart and having to wait a week or two before getting them back helps you to relive and enjoy the memories.

5 :: It's fun! Dig out your parents 35mm from your attic, grab a roll from the store and start experimenting. Happy shooting!

Here are a couple links I found helpful when I was starting out...a little helpful video, the basics of film photography and film exposure.

If you have any questions about film in general or cameras or other photo stuff, feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer!