Film Photography

I was challenged to photograph a portrait shoot on another random camera, but this one was really not what I was expecting. How do you take artistic portraits using an instant camera? 

Lomography recently announced the release of a new film, LomoChrome 92, a 400 ISO C-41 process color negative stock. The film is touted as a throwback to older stocks, with vibrant colors and a more noticeable grain structure.  

Explore the Art of the Cyanotype.  In this article, we examine the step-by-step process of cyanotype printing and its place within the realm of photography. You can decide for yourself if you agree whether this is a photographic medium or not. 

From time to time you see images circulating on social media of Japanese camera store shelves awash with film. I’m not talking about half a dozen pro packs of Portra, I’m talking about hundreds and hundreds of rolls of film. More film than you could shoot in 10 years. Names of long-forgotten emulsions that many die-hard film shooters can’t even recall. 

Are we living in a post-truth era of photography, where the authenticity and reliability of images have become questionable? Given the rise in AI’s association with photography and the ease with which photos can be altered, it might be worth considering a return to the use of traditional film as a means to regain trust and ensure the integrity of photography. 

I'm a sucker for panoramic cameras. Over the last decade, I've shot on my share, having spent more than I should have on a collection of various bodies. They've followed me to space shuttle launches, riots, out the back of aircraft, and to the White House.

With digital photography more accessible than ever, is film worth it? I picked up my film camera and shot my first roll of black and white film in over 10 years.  

The Fujifilm INSTAX line of instant film cameras has been a runaway hit for the company, tapping into the nostalgia of instant photography and introducing a new generation to the technology.

If you heard a modern digital camera could only reach as high as ISO 1600 or 3200, you might think it was a very limited device. Such is the case with film, though. That does not mean you can't shoot it a night, though; in fact, it can be quite rewarding, especially if you enjoy long exposures.

This is the last of three videos that dive deep into how Kodak makes film for your cameras. In this third video, we get a peek into how the large, wide rolls of light-sensitive film that were made in the previous stages are now cut into narrower strips and packaged for us to use! 

When I was in Tokyo recently I saw a mysterious 35mm color negative film I'd never heard of before. The only course of action was to buy the film, shoot it, and see what it was like. So how did it turn out and what film was it? Keep reading and find out. 

Strap yourself in, Jason De Freitas is back with a new project. This time he’s attached a Super 8 Camera to a drone and the footage is astonishing. 

 If you’ve never heard of him before, De Freitas is an Australian photographer who showcases an extraordinary mix of film photography with innovative tech on his YouTube and Instagram channels.  

In the era of digital photography, it can be easy to click away without a second thought, but what if every time you pressed the shutter, it cost you $5? That might sound like an insane proposition, but the beauty of large format photography is that you get images that are simply not possible with a full frame camera or even with the most expensive modern medium format camera.

Wedding photography is one of the most challenging genres out there, and given the pressure and lack of second chances, most photographers opt for high-end digital equipment to ensure the best chances of getting the shots they need. Given today's client expectations, can you still shoot a wedding on film?

Fujifilm's Instax line of instant film cameras have long been popular for reinvigorating the genre with some modern features while still allowing users to take part in the fun of instant film, all at very reasonable prices. The new Instax Mini 12 is here, and it brings with it an updated design and a range of new features.

Have you ever wanted to shoot with a medium format camera, but you can't justify the cost? Well, you're not alone. The question is, what would the cheapest medium format on eBay be like? 

There are some aspects of film photographs that can’t be replicated with digital. 

Medium format film has seen a real resurgence in recent years, and with the right camera, you can create negatives that are far bigger than even the most expensive digital cameras. This neat video takes a look at one such camera, the Fuji GW690 II, affectionately known as the "Texas Leica," and the impressive images you can create with it.  

Film is enjoying a resurgence right now, and yet, in an age of ever-burgeoning megapixel counts and clinically sharp lenses, it can seem a bit strange to some to purchase an old film camera whose technical image quality could not dream of competing with modern equipment. And yet, that is exactly what you should do, as one photographer argues in this interesting video essay.  

On December 20, 2022, Ricoh Imaging made an announcement that few in the photography community saw coming. The owners of the Ricoh and Pentax lines of cameras announced that they are looking at making film cameras again.  

Film is enjoying an extended resurgence in popularity at the moment, but many of us do not own a film camera or wish to spend the money that goes into buying and developing film. However, with a bit of technique and know-how, you can get a pretty reasonable approximation using a digital photo. This excellent video tutorial will show you five different ways to do that.  

Film continues to enjoy a steady resurgence, and one of the most intriguing ways to differentiate it from working with digital is to pick up a 645 medium format camera, which produces negatives far bigger than even the most expensive digital medium format cameras.

Digital cameras have been around for just a moment compared to the long history of film photography, and that means within those many decades are some truly interesting and unique cameras. One of the weirdest and most beloved among those is the Rollei 35, and this great video takes a look at five reasons why it was such a fun and interesting camera.  

When I was working in the photo industry in the late 90s and early 00s, Nikon was king. Canon was already a close second or even considered the leading brand, depending on which photographer one spoke with. Both companies offered a robust selection of lenses, advanced camera bodies, and excellent autofocus systems.

As the adage goes, “you have to run before you can walk.” This also applies to photography. Once you’ve learned how to consistently make a good image within your camera, what is the next step? 

The beauty of digital photography is that once you have paid for the camera and storage, you can take as many images as you want at essentially no additional cost. Of course, on the other hand, when it comes to film photography, every press of the shutter incurs an additional cost.

The popularity of toy cameras has waxed and waned over the decades. The novelty factor for plastic cameras like the Diana and the Holga is often in friction with the dependability and overall image quality, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

We take a lot for granted in the digital era, particularly the automation of a lot of functions. In the early days of film, everything was fully manual, and even one parameter set incorrectly could ruin an entire roll.

Let me rewind the clock by a decade: it’s the tail end of 2012, and the NYPD was in the process of clearing out Zuccotti Park in Lower Manhattan. Over the last year, Occupy Wall Street had been picking up steam, with an encampment filling the better part of the park and protests regularly spilling out into the streets.  

You know film photography has really made a comeback when it appears on mainstream news like NBC. Not only did they cover this story, but they even went as far as capturing the footage entirely on film. Something they hadn’t done in almost 44 years.  

What if every time you pressed the shutter, it cost you $5? What would you shoot? Large format photography is about as extreme as it gets, but it gives you images that simply are not possible with 35mm or even medium format. This neat video will show you the process of shooting 4x5 film and some of the images you can create with it.  

At last: fresh rolls of Lomography's stunning color shift film Turquoise are being shot all over the world right now.  

Cameras are constantly improving. Keeping up with the latest model and its arguably better performance can instill a need for a perpetual upgrade and a bad case of G.A.S. Well, I'm here to turn back the clocks and look at a 20-year-old compact digital camera that is a lot more capable than we might give it credit for.

Have you ever wondered about the photographers and process behind iconic movie posters? Some of Azriel Knight's most vivid nostalgic memories are over the striking movie poster for the blockbuster film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  Being born in 1992, I don't have as much of a connection to the TMNT franchise as this video's host, but this did not hinder my ability to enjoy it!

Olympus has been assigning the Zuiko name to its range of high-quality lenses since 1936. Zuiko-branded lenses were made for SLR, rangefinder, and automatic point-and-shoot cameras in medium format, 35mm, and even half-frame formats. Assessing the best of anything in photography leads to vivid debate and lots of room for subjectivity.

There’s something about the analog process that will slow down your photography, making you more thoughtful about image creation. What if you take it one step further and push yourself with an instant camera? Could it make you a better photographer? 

Is CineStiil’s new 400D a replacement for Fujifilm’s legendary Natura 1600 film? Many devotees of Fujifilm’s high-speed color negative film would find this an absurd proposition, but bear with me.  

Large format cameras have been increasing in popularity over the last few years. With startup manufacturers producing new large format cameras, the allure has grown significantly. Among large format cameras, the most popular type is the 4x5 camera. We decided to take this camera out into the city and photograph strangers. 

As a film photography enthusiast, I am a firm believer that gear is a long way down the list of important factors in image-making. 

Reduction of single-use plastic is increasingly on the minds of conscientious consumers, and the practice of shooting with physical film in preference to digital does bring with it considerations in the area. But fear not, Ikigai Film Lab is here to recycle, reuse, and repurpose, to put our anxiety at ease and help us keep shooting with a clearer conscience. 

Fujifilm gets a pretty bad rap these days from the film photography community. So, it’s easy to forget that from the 1980s to the early 2000s, Fujifilm produced some of the best cameras ever made: medium format, point and shoots, the extraordinary Xpan, and a sack full of other interesting goodies.  

This video is the second part (of three) of Smarter Everyday's in-depth tour of Kodak's film production line in Rochester, New York. In the first video, we saw how the base of the film is made out of pellets, as they're melted down and formed into uniform, thin, clear sheets.  

Over the last couple of years, I’ve shot with over 60 point and shoot film cameras. You could say it’s an obsession, perhaps even an illness.  

From the time I was a child, I have been fascinated by all things related to the NASA moon missions of the 1970s. I’ve been particularly intrigued by the photographs that were taken by astronauts on their way to the moon and the surface as well. 

2022 has been a triumphant year for film photography, and although we are yet to see big companies produce anything in the way of serious film cameras, we have seen a few exciting, plastic toy cameras hit the market. Kodak has now delighted the community with these stylish half frame cameras manufactured in collaboration with the Reto Project. 

Film photography is experiencing a real surge in popularity, and the beauty of it is that there are decades upon decades of used film cameras available, meaning you have a ton of options in which to find the perfect model for your needs and budget.