Film photography offers a unique approach to capturing landscapes. Unlike digital, it forces you to slow down, consider each shot, and make deliberate choices. This makes it an excellent way to refine your skills and understand exposure, composition, and light in a deeper way.
Coming to you from Scotty man Photo, this practical video breaks down how to prepare for a film photography session, covering film choice, camera settings, and essential gear. The first step is deciding whether to load film at home or on location. If conditions are unpredictable, bringing multiple film options can give you flexibility. Black and white film excels in foggy, low-contrast scenes, while color film captures vibrant sunrise and sunset tones. Setting the correct ISO (ASA) for each roll is essential. If you forget to adjust it, your exposures could be significantly off, ruining your shots. A simple trick is to keep the film box tab in the camera’s film slot as a reminder of what you’re shooting.
Carrying spare batteries is another small but critical step. Some film cameras are fully mechanical, but others require batteries for metering or even basic functionality. A dead battery can stop you from shooting entirely. Another essential tool is an external light meter. While in-camera meters work fine, an external meter allows for more precise control over shadows and highlights. By metering for the darkest part of your scene and using the Zone System as a guide, you can determine how much detail will be retained in both highlights and shadows before even pressing the shutter.
Composition and focus present different challenges in film photography. With most film cameras using manual focus, low light conditions can make it difficult to achieve sharp images. A flashlight can help illuminate a subject for focusing, and some cameras offer magnified viewfinders to assist with precision. A lens hood is another often-overlooked tool. It blocks stray light and prevents lens flare, improving contrast and image quality. Many photographers leave it off or store it backwards, but using it properly can make a noticeable difference.
One challenge of film photography is keeping track of exposure settings since there’s no built-in metadata. To improve future shots, recording your settings and thought process is crucial. Apps can help, but a voice recorder is often faster, especially in fast-changing light conditions. Quickly noting shutter speed, aperture, and lighting conditions can help you analyze and improve your technique when reviewing developed images. Check out the video above for the full rundown.
