Film photography produced much better images than its digital counterparts until recently. It is nearly impossible to tell an analogue photo from one taken with a digital camera. The resolution of digital images can now exceed 45.4 megapixels.
Why has the growth in analogue cameras and film sales continued over the last five years? This article answers this question and offers tips and tricks for anyone who wants to get into analogue photography.
What is film photography?
Both analogue and film photography can be interchangeable. Analogue photography, however, has a wider meaning. Both terms describe imaging technology that is based on light-sensitive chemical compound reactions. Analogue photos can also be taken with paper, film (instant analogue photos), and hard photographic plates.
Digital photography wouldn’t exist without analogue photography. Film photography is nearly a century older than its predecessor. It is also known as “traditional” because of this.
While digital cameras are not inferior to film in terms of image quality, many great characteristics of analogue photography make it stand out from digital.
- Film photography can be used to support a case, but film-printed images cannot have their content edited.
- If stored properly, the developed film can last forever.
- If you select highly sensitive films, you can achieve a wide dynamic range.
- Film photography can be expensive. Analogue images can easily be damaged during film development. This motivates photographers to learn their craft and maximize each frame.
The last point is important. The professional film camera is rarely automated. This gives the photographer a lot of creative freedom. You can quickly grasp how different settings affect the final result with an analogue camera and apply that knowledge to digital photography.
Today’s most popular film camera types:
Single-lens reflex cameras (SLR), twin-lens reflex (TLR), rangefinder cameras (calculates distance via triangulation for precise focusing), instant cameras, stereo cameras (to create images that have a 3D effect), panoramic cameras and large format cameras (to capture images larger than 102x127mm).
The most popular types of the photographic film:
Colour negative film, black-and-white film, colour negative film and infrared film (more sensitive than the human eye to light spectrum)
The most popular film size is 135mm (or 35mm). Medium format (120), or large format, which is at most 9×12 cm, are also options.
Where should you begin? Tips for film photography beginners
It is possible that you already use a digital camera. The built-in cameras in smartphones and semi-pro digital cameras only give us a basic understanding of photography. They all want to get the best out of what they see. They focus on the right exposure and focus, and we can enjoy the best picture possible.
An analogue camera allows you to control the quality of your photos. The good news is that once you have learned how to take great shots with a film camera, it will be very easy to create amazing digital photos. Let’s get started.
#1 Use 35mm to get started
The most common type of film is 135 film (or 35mm). You have many cameras to choose from if you start with this type of film. This allows you to choose the camera that interests you most and purchase it at a reasonable price. It is not difficult to buy and develop films. Another advantage is that film for medium or large formats allows you to take less than 16 photos, while 35mm can take 36.
The best 35mm cameras ever: LeicaMa-A, Pentax K1000 Canon AE-1 and Nikon F2, Leica M6TTL and Olympus OM-1.
#2 Learn more
Experiential photographers believe that blindly following this rule will kill your creativity. We believe you must learn the golden rules before you break them. The exposure triangle rule, a fundamental rule in analogue photography, allows you to avoid many wasted films.
Manual film cameras were the first. The shutter speed, ISO, and aperture are the three parameters that the photographer chooses. These three parameters have interrelated settings. It would be best if you summed up the scene illumination, your film’s potential, your task, and how you want to set up your analogue camera. A higher ISO, slower shutter speed and a wider aperture will result in a lighter frame.
Use the Sunny F16 rule to your advantage: Set an aperture of f/16 for sunny days, and set the shutter speed equal to your ISO (e.g. 1/100 sec ISO 100 or 1/50sec ISO 50).
#3 Learn to use focus through trial and error
Although analogue cameras may have autofocus, they are slower than digital cameras. Moving objects can be out of focus when taking photos. If the shutter opens too late, the subject may move out of the frame.
Manual focus takes courage, training, and a keen eye. An analogue camera can be a great way to improve your professional skills. You can start with static objects like buildings, plants, people standing or sitting. To challenge yourself, move on to moving objects.
Take notes when you are shooting! Record camera settings and any other tricks to take a photo.
#4 Learn how to shoot in black-and-white and avoid flash
You can also shoot colour film and convert your images to black and white in post-production. If your goal is to master light and shadow and shapes, we recommend you start with classic black and white photography.
Also, flash is not recommended for black and white films. If you begin with analogue photography, the flash effect can be difficult to predict. It is best to use the flash to capture spontaneous scenes and genuine emotions (a good example: instant analogue photography).
#5 Use frames, leading lines and the Golden Ratio rule
Your composition’s balance is what will make it attractive to the viewers. Use the tried-and-true composition rules that you have learned from digital photography to get amazing analogue photos from the beginning.
Balanced compositions
You should keep track of your frame’s balance. Your composition will look amazing if the main subject is placed at the intersections or centre of the 3:3 grid lines.
Natural frames
You can use anything to create frames around your main subjects. You can capture the seascape through a window, the forest clearing through a crown of trees, or a photo of your friends through keyholes.
Leading lines
You might consider adding geometry to your shot. To make your shot look amazing, you can add well-shaped objects around it. You can, for example, enhance the depth of your scene by using a road-going line horizon or letting a light beam cut your frame in half.
