Pixiq

Here at Your Photo Tips almost every article written pertains to digital photography. Most photographers out there are using digital cameras to capture their images. But how many of you out there still shoot film? I confess to not having picked up my old film camera in quite some time. You don’t need an excuse to shoot film, other than it will simply make you a better photographer.

Photographing in film is different than digital capture.

• There is no instant feedback
• Your limited on how many images per roll of film
• You have to have someone process your film

Those are really great differences and they should be celebrated!

The lack of instant feed back is important on this one. You really have to set your camera properly and think about what you are doing in camera. With limited shots per roll of film you aren’t going to be taking loads of snapshots. Every shot should be considered properly before pressing that shutter. Then, of course, the waiting game. Having the film processed provides for a bit of anticipation. You’ll forget some of the shots you captured and take great joy in discovering these little gems. All of this of course teaches us patience, which is a great virtue most of us could use more of.

I started my photography experience in high school. I won’t tell you when that was (I don’t want to date myself here). We were fortunate to have a photojournalism class that I absolutely loved. I learned how to make a pinhole camera, and how to process film in our very own dark room (which was occasionally used for make-out sessions). I honestly don’t know if my old high school still has that class or not. I always read about schools cutting the budgets on arts and music programs. Shame on them! Ah, but I digress…

Most newer photographers these days, and all of the future photographers the world over, will learn their craft using digital cameras. Nothing wrong with that, but I still hold a very special place in my heart for that darkroom. The anticipation of seeing my image slowly appear; did I get the shot I wanted? It’s creating something, then seeing it come alive before your very eyes. Film shouldn’t become a niche, although I am afraid it will.

Shooting with film is a great exercise for all us. At the very least it will show us a new found appreciation for how far things have come. I challenge all of my readers to participate in Shooting with Film. I’d love to see your works on film in celebrating this older medium for photographers.

Photograph “From silver halide to pixels” by msnc