Shooting Film
The idea of shooting film has always intrigued me. Maybe I was inspired by the obnoxious amounts of film developing that was shown in 90s sitcoms, or maybe it was my love for Hyde in the photobooth from That 70s Show.
The colors, the sounds, the tactile nature of flipping through negatives and prints. What I love most about shooting film is the physical interaction with your art. Something doesn’t do it for me when flipping through my phone camera roll or pressing an area of a touch screen to lock in a moment forever.
I bought a shitty 00s camera on a Goodwill run one day and ordered Kodak Colorplus film on Amazon like the good Gen-Z’er I am. That was what sparked my love for film. But alas, out of a roll of thirty-six, only two photos developed.
So then I decided to do some more research into film—I wanted to get better. I found out that my dad still has several film cameras, and he gave them to me to repair as a Christmas present.
Looking back through my horrible first roll to where I am now with just a basic point-and-shoot, I can see how much room there is to grow…
Here’s what I love about film and why I think you could love it too: the intention. I don’t waste even a single shot because I know how much each shot will cost. I’m forced to think about every factor of a photo so as not to waste it. Even when it’s been a little while, I can always safely say that I remember each moment that I chose to grab a snapshot of something. There’s no second chance; it’s just you and the roll. So when the film comes back from the developer, I get to relive those moments again.
If any of this resonates with you, pick up a disposable camera from amazon or a drugstore and just shoot! You’ll be amazed with what you can do.
