I sometimes shoot black & white film. The shot above is from a coffee shop in Appleton, Wisconsin. Do not get the impression that I am a “throw back” photographer who thinks the old ways are better. No, I love digital photography and will never give up my digital cameras. However, film is special in a number of ways.
Film is expensive. Each shot costs something for the film and developing. Medium format shots can hit $3 a frame. This was 35mm so maybe only $0.50 a frame. Still, digital is free once you buy the camera.
Film is random. There is a certain amount of guesswork with film as you never really know how the picture turned out until well after you take it.
Film is constrained. When you drop a roll of film into the camera you shoot what is in there. If it is 400 ISO you shoot 400 ISO. If is it balck and white you shoot black and white. Of course, I can re-roll film in my 35mm camera and put another roll in there. But that takes a lot of time. And I have to remember what frame I was on.
Film is a joy to shoot. So with the constraints above why do I like to shoot film? The cost makes me slow down and enjoy each shot. That is relaxing. The constraints force me to think about each shot and how it will turn out. Finally, the time gap between shooting and getting the image developed gives me a sense of anticipation. Waiting is sometimes the best part. I also think delayed gratification makes the consumation so much sweeter!
Canon 50mm f/1.2 L | Canon EOS Elan 7e Camera | Settings – I don’t know!
