When digital cameras began to take hold of the photography market, many speculated that film would eventually become obsolete. However, it hasn't quite played out that way, and for good reason...
Shooting in film is an experience, one that I believe everyone should have at least once in their life. You have to first load the film into the camera, carefully choose your shots, and wait patiently for the results.
To me, Photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.
In my short time shooting with film, I have found that it has broken down an invisible barrier. Instead of worrying about the results and constantly fiddling with the camera's settings, as I often would on a digital camera, I began to trust my instinct. I began feeling the moment as it happened and capturing it in a way that felt right. The camera started to feel like a natural extension of my vision, more like a window of perception than a tool of capture.
Some of the images developed from my first roll of film turned out to be some of the best images I've ever captured. It was the waiting and anticipation followed by the pleasant surprise at the results that got me hooked. I have loved photography for as long as I can remember, but shooting with film renewed my passion for the art of capturing light. To the irritation of my girlfriend, I started bringing my camera everywhere I went. I had become 'that hipster' with the old camera.
I always thought of photography as a naughty thing to do -- that was one of my favorite things about it, and when I first did it, I felt very perverse.
Toting a film camera is like carrying a bunch of little secrets. You know what's on there, but it's hidden away, locked in the camera until the film is developed. Your friends won't demand, 'let me see how I look' or 'delete that one', because you can't do either. It takes the focus away from the technology and places it on the subject you are capturing.
The shift in focus, over time, will begin to affect the way that you approach a scene. As the camera becomes you window of perception, you will be more at ease, more present, and more aware of the hidden beauty in every aspect of your world. That is when photography goes from an objective documentation to an art form. Beyond what is happening, you develop the ability to capture how it feels.
Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man.
Eventually, this change of perspective in your practice will also carry over into your digital photography. If you're not already shooting everything in manual, you will start to. Especially in digital, you will want to experiment with EVERYTHING. Unlike film, in digital, there's nothing to lose when taking a shot; you've learned to make it count already, so just have fun. This juxtaposition makes digital photography an unlimited playground.
As you continue to jump between digital and film you will begin to notice two things about film. First, film produced today is often much more forgiving than digital; some can be over or under exposed by as much as two stops and still produce a great result. Second, without any post-processing, color film tends to have a much more organic look to the light and tonal range and has a natural glow that is difficult to achieve with a digital camera.
The [35mm] camera is for life and for people, the swift and intense moments of life.
Whether you are a professional photographer or a hobbyist, if you are considering trying your hand at film photography, JUST DO IT. No words can aptly deliberate the pleasure of shooting in film. Today, the necessary equipment is available at a fraction of the cost of modern digital cameras. Look for a local camera shop and talk to them about getting started in film. When you do, feel free to share your thoughts or ask your questions!
ps. I'm developing a photography guide, if there is anything in particular you want it to cover or explain, let me know.