Shooting film on the road presents unique challenges, from managing limited exposures to ensuring your gear and film stay in working condition. For a long trip, especially in remote areas, planning becomes essential.
Coming to you from Adrian Vila with aows, this fascinating video details his experience carrying 106 rolls of medium format film across the American Southwest in 2017. Using a Bronica SQ-Ai, he had to bring all the chemicals and tools necessary to develop his images while traveling. The reason? He wanted to catch any issues with his camera or film before finishing the trip, avoiding the disappointment of ruined shots. The challenge wasn’t just in developing—water quality, temperature variations, and even security checkpoints added to the complications. Despite these obstacles, he made it work, using a cooler for storage and a car roof box for chemicals, though he ran into problems like frozen fixer on cold mornings.
His approach highlights both the rewards and constraints of film photography on extended trips. He averaged just 21 shots per day over two months, which forced him to be deliberate with every frame. This level of constraint might seem excessive, especially given the iconic locations he visited—Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Zion, Joshua Tree, and more. In retrospect, he wishes he had taken more photos, but the experience shaped his photographic mindset. The process of working within strict limits trained him to recognize strong compositions and commit to them rather than chasing every fleeting moment.
One of the biggest takeaways from his trip is how limitations can influence creativity. Modern digital photography allows for thousands of exposures in just a couple of days, but that doesn’t always lead to better results. Vila now takes large numbers of images but focuses on refining a few strong compositions as conditions change. The discipline he developed from shooting film still impacts how he works today, even when using digital gear. His experience serves as a reminder that thoughtful image-making often leads to more compelling photographs. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Vila.
