Common Film Photography Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Film photography has its unique charm, but it comes with its own set of challenges. One of the most common hurdles for those who explore this medium is navigating through mistakes, often with no easy fix like in digital photography.

Coming to you from Leigh & Raymond Photography, this insightful video focuses on three common mistakes people make when shooting film. First, there's the issue of not fully understanding how your camera and lenses work. With digital, you can see the results instantly and adjust accordingly. Film doesn't offer that luxury. If you don't know what to expect from your equipment, you could be wasting both time and money. Every shot costs something, both in film and development, so it's crucial to be familiar with your gear. Testing your camera and lens settings in various environments can help you minimize the chances of botched shots.

Another key point discussed in the video is choosing the wrong film for the job. Unlike digital, where the sensor handles most of the processing, with film, the film itself acts as the processor. This means selecting the right type of film is even more critical. Are you aiming for vibrant colors or moody black-and-white shots? Understanding what each type of film can deliver is essential for achieving the results you want. And handling film with care is just as important. The video touches on issues like accidentally exposing film by opening the camera back at the wrong time, a mistake many have made but one that can be avoided with a bit of practice and awareness.

It's not about getting it perfect every time, but learning from each shot, successful or not. And that's jsut the start, so check out the video above for the full rundown from Leigh.

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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