Foggy Woodland Photography with a 35mm Film Camera

Film Photography  •  Photography Tips

When cameras went digital, they brought a paradigm shift. Suddenly, users were able to instantly preview their images. Film photographers had to wait at least a few days before they could see their images. Many photographers naturally switched to digital and haven’t looked back. But have you ever wondered how it’d feel for someone who made the switch to go back to analog photography? Considering how feature-packed modern cameras are, it could end up being a challenging experience. In today’s video, photographer Michael Shainblum tries his hands with film photography after nine years away and shares his experience in the process:

Going back to film, Shainblum had a certain level of uncertainness about the results he could expect. At different points of time throughout the video, you can see him taking multiple shots of the same scene with different settings just because he was unsure. This is not a lack of confidence: it is how things are done with film photography, taking extra shots for insurance. This is an example of how digital cameras made us more efficient. Being able to instantly see the output gives us confidence and prevents any unforeseen breakdowns.

Although it might be difficult to go back to analog, we cannot deny that most of us would be enticed by the mechanical feel of the camera. The rugged build, the clicks and the snaps are experiences of a different level. Digital cameras cannot offer such a feeling. If you’ve ever worked with a film camera, you know how reassuring the experience is.

Do you have any experience working with a film camera? If so, would you want to go back—or did you ever leave? Let us know in the comments.