Film Photography

Film photography never really went away — and for a growing number of photographers, it's become more relevant than ever. There's something about the deliberateness of analog shooting, the texture of grain, and the chemistry of the darkroom that digital hasn't fully replicated. This section covers film cameras old and new, film stock comparisons, darkroom techniques, and the communities keeping analog photography alive.

Shooting Large Format Portraits for the First Time

Have you ever wondered about what goes into producing images with a large format film camera? Take a look behind the scenes as photographer Willem Verbeeck tries out large format portraiture for the first time.  In the current days of digital everything, it's both interesting and enlightening to see a photographer shooting large format in a film camera.

Why Every Digital Photographer Should Also Shoot on Film

The disposability of digital imagery created a significant shift in the world of photography. As film stock gave way to megapixels, we changed the way that we shoot, and this insightful video from Jamie Windsor offers a few suggestions as to why it’s nice to go back in time every now and then. 

A Review of One of the Weirdest Cameras of Yesteryear

Fujifilm has a storied history with film cameras, having created some bodies that are still beloved by photographers even to this day. This great review takes a look at one of the most unique of those cameras: the GA645.  

Shooting a Challenging Large Format Photo

Large format photography is already a highly challenging genre, as it requires a lot of technical considerations other formats don't. This great video follows a photographer as he shoots a difficult scene with an 8x10 camera while walking you through his methods and creative decisions.  

How to Organize and Digitize Old Photos

We live in a digital photo era but that doesn't mean that your old photos and negatives boxed up in the attic should be forgotten. The first step in preserving these is to get them organized. Next, you need to digitize old photos so they can be easily viewed and shared with others. 

How I Shot This Fashion Editorial on 6x7 Film With Speedlights

I love shooting film, it's not always the best choice, but the idea that I am forced to slow down and really be sure I like my frame before I hit the shutter overall makes me shoot more efficiently, reduce the amount of culling at the end of the shoot (which is my least favorite part of any photoshoot to be honest), and with shooting with 6x7 I can get a very specific look that is hard to

How to Set up Your Camera for Night Time Street Photography

Heading out into the night with your camera can be an adventure, especially in a city full of people and bright lights. In this short video, street photographer Robin Schimko gives you quick run through of how to pick the best settings for your camera when photographing in low light, including some particularly good tips if you’re shooting film. 

The Joy of Shooting Medium Format Film on a Photo Walk

When was the last time you went on a photo walk, with no intentions other than simply photographing anything interesting you came across and enjoying some time doing what you love? This great video explores the idea of grabbing a film camera and heading on a casual photo walk. 

Is This the Fastest and Easiest Way to Scan Films at Home?

If you’re a film aficionado, you’re probably used to trying to make the process of converting your negatives into print-ready digital files as painless as possible. One photographer has ditched his scanner in favor of an incredibly simple setup using his Fujifilm X-T3 and a rather unique Lightroom plugin. 

The Truth Behind One of America’s Most Famous Photos

Dorothea Lange’s “Migrant Mother” is an iconic representation of the Great Depression, and one of the most famous photos of all time. There’s more to the story than just the one famous image, however. 

A Quiet Exploration of Early Morning Film Shooting

Cinestill, creators of the fabulous CineStill films and chemicals, have come out wth the first episode of their new "CineStill Frames" series, showcasing different photographers and their work. This first episode featuring Ben Parks is a dreamy, quiet exploration of the early morning. 

How Kodak Went From Industry Giant to Essentially Nonexistent

If you're older than about 30 or so, you probably remember just how unbelievably ubiquitous Kodak was at one time, making their eventual fall all the most extreme in retrospect. This great video takes a look at the fascinating history behind the rise and fall of what was once a titan of the photo industry.  

Three Photographers' Approaches to Photography

Each and every photographer has their own unique way of working and the finished image they try to achieve. For some, this may be purely aesthetic beauty, for others, a mood or feeling. In this video, the i-D Meets team spend time with three photographers from the U.K. to discover how and why they work.  

A Tutorial on Dodging and Burning Film Photos

You have probably heard of dodging and burning before, holdover terms from the film area that describe the process of making areas of an image lighter or darker to emphasize different parts. If you're interested in working with film and creating your own prints, this great tutorial will show you just how it's done.  

Fstoppers Reviews Fujifilm Instax Square SQ20: Good But Difficult to Recommend

A little over a year ago, Fujifilm released their first ever square format Instax camera, the Instax SQ10. This camera used a 1/4" digital sensor to take the image and then used that file to print on the square film. This year, Fujifilm released their latest update to this camera, the Instax SQ20.  

How to Get the Correct Exposure When Shooting Film

When you're shooting film, you don't have the benefit of being able to check that you got the correct exposure after you take a shot like you do with digital. This great video will give you a couple common methods to ensure you get the exposure just right when you're shooting film.  

Why You Might Appreciate Film Photography

Film has been enjoying a bit of a resurgence recently, and you may be wondering if it's worth trying out yourself. This great video discusses some reasons why a film workflow is distinctly different from a digital workflow and why it can be more enjoyable.  

An Iconic Image: 'Lunch Atop a Skyscraper'

If I were a betting man, I'd wager that you've seen this image from 1932 of construction workers sitting on an iron beam, called "Lunch Atop A Skyscraper." I'd also wager that you hadn't thought much about the photographers that took the image. 

Is 35mm Film Worthwhile for Landscape Photography?

Film still has a loyal following, but many of those who use it shoot a hybrid of 35mm digital and medium or large format film. This great video examines whether the cheaper and more convenient 35mm film format is still worth shooting nowadays.  

How a Photographer Continues to Find Himself Through the Camera

For some of us, photography is a job that we love, and for some of us, it's a window into our very being that can help us discover or rediscover who we are. This touching video features one photographer who uses the craft to learn about himself and heal. 

'The Scream' Painter Edvard Munch's Rare Photographs to Go on Display

For most people who know the name Edvard Munch, there’s an immediate association with his iconic painting, "The Scream.” This artist, fabled for his emotionally impactful painting, is not known for his photographs, but his lens-based work will soon be available for fans of art and photography. 

Why One Landscape Photographer Still Prefers to Use Film

There's little to argue about the technical superiority of digital, but a devoted group of photographers still shot film for various reasons. This interesting video essay talks about five reasons why one photographer still opts for the older technology. 

Fstoppers Reviews the Kodak Everyday Pack from Mastin Labs

I've made no secret of my love for various film emulation presets put out by the fine folks over at Mastin Labs, and their latest release is no exception. The Kodak Everyday Pack is the latest addition to a line of what I consider to be the most accurate and faithful film emulation presets on the market today. 

Using Levels to Create the Film Look in Your Photos

The film look continues to enjoy a resurgence in popularity. And while many enjoy the style, they may balk at the cost of shooting actual film. This helpful tutorial will show you how to emulate it using just one powerful tool. 

Cultural Tattoos Invisible in Wet Collodion Prints

A photographer has found an amazingly cool way to capture and honor the art of facial tattoos from the indigenous New Zealand culture the Māori. Using the wet collodion process, the subjects appear to have their ink magically removed in portraits hung next to modern digital photos creating a surreal before and after effect. 

The Joys of the First Time Shooting With a New Camera

One of the greatest joys in photography is receiving a new camera and taking it out for the first time. This great vlog documents the experience along with the fun of watching the first prints develop and examining them closely.  

Complete Review and Comparison of the Fujifilm Instax Camera Line-up

Whether you are looking for that perfect photography gift or something fun to carry with you on your next vacation, Fujifilm has offered instant film for a while now with a variety of cameras and printers that just might be what you are looking for. But we might need some help deciding which of the many models to get.

Canon Finally Closes the Door on Film Cameras

A few days after Leica announced the end of production of the M7, Canon has announced the discontinuation of the 1V, its last remaining film camera, after the last remaining stock was sold, bringing an end to the storied history of film cameras made by the industry giant.