What's The Deal With Film Photography?

Why are more people picking up a film camera? I'm diving just a bit deeper on the why, while also giving a bit of my opinion as to why I decided to start shooting 35mm film.

(How many times did I say photographer/photography in this video lol)

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@keelanbourdon

Credit:

Time stamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:11 The Why
02:05 Nostalgia
03:17 Cinema and Film
05:35 Why I Shoot on Film

[keelanbourdon]

Fyi, don't pop off your film canister lid into the grass like I did. I did it for "dramatic effect", but picked it up immediately after. Always pack out what you pack in!

[williamcrawford]

I remember reading an article several years ago in some news publication, that historians were concerned that there wasn't going to be a history to look back on because people had stopped shooting film and they weren't leaving a "physical " memory behind. I am glad to see that film photography has hung on and seems to be making a comeback even if its a niche market. Film definitely makes you slow down and enjoy the process.

[enco_m]

Gas station is an essential part of modern life and therefore of modern photography

[timryan]

Walter Middy is one of the best movies ever. I’ve watched it 15-20 times. It’s one of those films you can watch over and over and it doesn’t get old to me. Very inspirational

[chrisraney]

I think you're right about it being grounding. For me, film photography feels like alchemy. Pick my subject. Set my shutter speed and aperture. Determining the focal range on my 60s Voightlander. Loading the these moments into a tank in complete blackness. Chemical baths at specific times and temperatures. The process is a story in its self. Absolute alchemy and I love it.

[TroyBrophy]

Having shot on film, processed my own b&w and c41 film, printed my own photos, and paid thousands for processing and printing at labs, I'm completely over it. I'm so happy to be able to shoot digital now. But, since I learned on film, I still approach each photo as if it were using a frame of film. I'm deliberate in my composition and exposure. I don't fill up cards with thousands of snaps.

[LifeandTimesPhotography]

Film is photography and photography has now come full circle. Digital has been with us 25-30 years now? And what we are seeing more and more of is digital photography editing software being used to simulate 35mm film types. And it makes you ask the question, what am I doing spending all this money on digital gear to create a film look when I can simply just shoot film!

[thecaveofthedead]

I think your arguments in the second half were on point. The clarity between you, the subject, and the camera is very consistent - you're not taken out of the moment by what you've already shot. And having an actual _original_ image which, as you say, was formed by chemical changes right there where you were when you pressed the shutter is something special - which the absurd attempt to create 'original' digital files with NFTs only emphasises.

You can still get good cameras very cheaply - especially if you're not concerned about getting one of the most famous models. And you can get that tactile sensation from a few digital cameras now - Fujifilm cameras and the likes of the Nikon Zfc for example. The price of film now is keeping me away from shooting film - which I've done for 30 years up to around the pandemic. But that may actually make it _more_ appealing on Instagram and TikTok - because now it has a status element to it.

[artistjoh]

I started my photography in 1962. I shoot film as well as digital. I like the aesthetic of grain but there are two practical reasons top shoot film. The first is the gamma of film is much closer to the way the eye records visual data. And secondly both the cost and the limited number of frames on a roll causes the mind to think more about each shot. Medium format is better than 35mm, not because of greater resolution, but because the number of shots is lower and the cost is higher per shot, so the mind automatically takes more time, and considers the look of the light more deeply. Discernment increases and the number of shots taken decreases, but the quality per shot skyrockets. If you think it is about resolution, you are not understanding what you are doing.

I remember in the 60's, with my Speed Graphic 4x5. I would normally go out with just two sheets loaded, and no matter what, I had to get the money shot in one of those two shots. That has a way of sharpening the mind about what constitutes the perfect story telling moment. Ansel Adams would have just one sheet of film with him. This is why he became such a master of getting the right moment, of recognising the story, and how to tell it. He only needed that one sheet because 99% of taking the photograph happened between his ears and in his heart, way before he would release the shutter. That is the advantage of film - limitations, and making the most of the silver that has been entrusted to you, and understanding that it is not the camera that makes the photograph.

[mizgovfx]

A very nice idea that a particular roll of film was with you in that moment. I like that a lot :) Thanks for the great first video! I'm looking forward to your upcoming content.

[christopherwelch]

Photography was for me an awakening that led to a professional creative career and a Masters in studio art. I took a photography class in college when I was 18 back in 1991. It was film photography, developing film in a darkroom and exposing photo paper. I borrowed a Minolta SRT101 from a family member. I shot black and white pictures and learned the whole process. To this day it’s my favorite class of all time. I went digital like everyone else but came back to film. It was my first tactile experience in creating and still my favorite.

[theblackandwhitefilmproject]

Have you ever driven a classic car? Using my 60 year old film camera gives me that same feeling. Every time I click the shutter. Plus the buzz when I have developed my own negatives and I scan the image. Often I go Wow how did I do that? Plus the softness of the image. Digital sensors are now up to 50 megapixels and so sharp they are literally unreal. I have just sold my digital camera and have gone totally to the dark side... Cheers!

[PSYCHIC_PSYCHO]

I am 49 years old, I started with film photography, for which I used a manual focus SLR which had no features; the charm of those manual focus SLRs was that they were very easy to learn and use, and in use there was absolutely nothing to distract the photographer. My favourite manual focus SLRs were made during the mid 70's until the early 80's, the best of them all was the Nikon F3 which was then a professional SLR. I also loved the NIKON FM2N which I see you use in this video. I also love the very loud sounds of the mechanical shutter-curtains and the flipping of the mirror, and the haptic feedback you got from pressing the shutter-release of a manual focus SLR, sadly lost in Mirrorless cameras as they don't have a mechanical shutter.

[cameracameras]

Good video. Film has been with us far longer than digital. Digital is still the new kid on the block. Shooting film is very special, and I hope it continues long into the future.

[Noahs_Photography]

To me,
Film cameras are simpler and more deliberate. I get a metering on my phone after choosing an aperture, and that tells me my shutter speed.
After that, I take the picture and then forget about it until a month or two later when I send the roll out for development. There is nothing like the joy of finding a portfolio shot on a film roll you forgot you shot.
Great video! Can’t wait to see what you do next!

[ano]

Excited to seen younger and newer people to photography shooting on 35mm

[loicbonino]

I was shocked to see that im only in the first 300 people to subscribe, you definitely deserve more, your video was very well written, i had a strong calming, almost asmr feeling watching it. Definitely consider doing more on analog photography subjects.

[Larpy]

Hearing your thoughts on why film photography is continuing to be important to many people was interesting. Thanks for this.

When people call it “analogue”, do they give any thought to what film photography is analogous to? Analogue is not a word that stands on its own. It is a comparative term.

Your drone work and videography is top-notch.

Good luck, eh!

[thissidetowardscreen]

I grew up when film was the only choice. When digital started I slowly moved over to it. That being said, the majority of my time spent behind any form of camera was on vacations and family events. Later on, I took courses in film photography and development. My approach to the camera has remained the same regardless of analogue or digital. Depending on the situation, Always think before you click! Slow down! Not every picture you take is going to be the best and just because you have unlimited images (digital), rarely do I take more than 2 images of any given subject. As for rapid fire shooting, really never done it at all. Film back in the day was used just as digital cameras were used today, you would shoot rolls and rolls. pick out the best shots (especially commercial photography) But now, cost it the biggest barrier. Thanks for sharing!

[giuseppegrimaldi]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Film Photography. I'm 62, spent most of my life using film then like many slowly switched to digital. I'm now using film again after long time and I really appreciate the fact that so many young people like you are now using film. I'm was curious to know what leads you guys to use film nowdays and your video has provided me with some interesting material.