Why shoot film photography?

We all have film cameras kicking around the house (or our parents’ houses, or grandparents’ houses etc.), but most of us are too intimidated to pick them up and start shooting them. After all, it seems like film is more expensive than digital, and we don’t want to waste it! So, what do we do? We usually leave it on the shelf to collect dust and we recount stories from days gone by. Not anymore – that’s where I come in! Let’s bring back film! This renaissance woman is here to show you that not only is the initial cost of film photography cheaper than most of the digital cameras these days, but it is also very accessible and easier to shoot than you once thought.

Film photos capture an essence that feels like opening a time capsule. They are not perfect – they have grain, they have artifacts, they aren’t always perfectly exposed or in perfect focus. But that is the beauty of film. It’s real. Film photography is authentic and it depicts a story that digital photography can only attempt to replicate. I equate shooting film to driving a manual transmission car – It keeps you present and thoughtful – and this is what I believe to be the original intention of photography. Nowadays, with the capability of shooting numerous photos per second with our readily available phones, and high-tech cameras, we can sometimes become caught up in the instant gratification of our digital world. Don’t get me wrong, I admire this digital world we live in! After all, I am a Mechanical Engineer, and I thrive off of inventing things. I have an affinity for digital photography too, and I feel there is a time and place for each medium.

My goal here is to show you just how beautiful film photography can be, and how easy it is for anyone to pick up and take high-quality film photos. My hope is also to introduce you to a hobby that escapes this fast-paced world that we live in, and to enjoy creating photos with intention. Please join me on this journey as we revive this once forgotten media!