How To Get Started With Film Photography
Film photography has my heart! And recently it is making a major comeback, which I am THRILLED about! The more people using and appreciating film the better. I fell in love with film as a kid, using point and shoot cameras from my grandmother. The excitement of picking up my prints from the local drugstore had me hooked! Yes - many of the photos were blurry, out of focus, and full of “technical” mistakes, but they managed to document moments in a way that made me feel like I was right back there. I still cherish my scrapbooks from my childhood film photographs.
As I got older digital took over. The ability to develop films at the local convenience store disappeared. In high school and college I used my little digi Nikon cameras, and still loved taking photographs. As I started really diving into the world of photography several years ago I continued to use digital - a full frame Nikon that allowed me to learn manual mode, grow so much in technical skills, and expand my understanding of photography. BUT, something was still nagging at me…The immediacy of digital felt a little overwhelming - my phone and camera SD cards were full of 1,000s of photographs. I craved a process that slowed me down a bit, that made me stay in the moment, and pulled me away from a digital screen. Lucky for me, film was starting to make a comeback at the time and I went ALL IN!
Me and one of my 35mm film cameras
At first, I remember the feeling of being overwhelmed - so many types of film to choose from! I didn’t know how to take photos that I actually liked, never mind how to get the roll of film into actual photos I could see! As I’ve connected with families, young creatives, and other photographers they are constantly asking me about film. There is interest in taking film photographs to document the little moments of life. For parents who want to start taking photos of their kids on film, it’s an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the moments that matter. So, I’ve created this guide to get you started with film - breaking down everything you need to know to begin.
What is 35mm Film?
Before diving into the details, let’s talk about what 35mm film is. It’s the most common type of film used for everyday photography and has been around for over a century. The "35mm" refers to the width of the film strip. Each frame on the film is 24mm x 36mm, and a standard roll typically contains 36 exposures. When you take a photo, light passes through the camera’s lens and hits the film, creating an image. This image remains latent until the film is developed, a process that turns the latent image into a visible, permanent photograph! In essence, film creates an imprint of light - it’s tangibility is one of the things I love most about it.
35mm film negatives
While other types of films exist, including medium (120) and large format (4x5, 6x6, etc.), I recommend starting your film journey with 35mm. You will get more photos for your money. And let’s be honest, film is already quite expensive, which creates barriers to access. Start out simple with 35mm, and create photographs that remind you of your old family albums!
Gear: What You Need to Get Started
When starting with film photography, you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment. You can get started for as low as a $15 camera and single roll of film. Here’s a list of what you’ll need, with some options depending on your needs and budget:
Camera
Some of my film cameras
A 35mm film camera is a great place to start. Look for something reliable and easy to use! You can go in several directions here depending on your budget, needs, and desired level of freedom. Often, these cameras can be purchased at thrift/antique stores, or online. Just make sure you are going to a reputable dealer! I buy most of my gear from KEH or B&H photo. But other options include MBP and Cute Camera Co. If you go the eBay route, just be sure the dealer has a return policy and great reviews. I’ve had both good and bad luck on buying used cameras on eBay - it’s very much a buyer beware situation.
1. A fully manual camera to give you control over your photographs. There is a lot of room for learning and growth with this option, but they are not always the easiest to get started on. Classic models like the Canon AE-1, Nikon FM2, or Pentax K1000 are popular choices. If you go with a fully manual camera, you will likely need a light meter. A light meter helps you figure out how much light is needed for your photograph, telling you exactly what settings to put your camera on so you produce an image properly lighted (or exposed). I use a Minolta light meter.
My experience is that a fully manual 35mm camera is great for still photography and portraits of adults or older kids, but to be honest, I don’t have the patience to use a light meter and set up the perfectly lit photograph with running kids!
2. A SLR (single reflex camera) to explore your creativity, but with more options similar to digital cameras. If you are used to using a DSLR in manual mode with autofocus options this could be a good jumping off point to start with for film. SLR’s offer some flexibility in terms of changing your settings (like aperture and shutter speed), but also often accomodate auto and aperture priority modes. The quality of these cameras can vary widely! If you want to be able to grow and learn with your camera, I recommend purchasing a camera at the best quality your budget allows. I use a Canon EOS 3, which is a professional film SLR. It has cool innovations like eye-tracking for focus, and a decent autofocus system. When just starting out, you may choose to use this camera in aperture priority mode, and you will get great results! In trickier lighting situations, for example when the light is behind your subject, you may want to learn manual mode to ensure proper lighting.
All of these photographs were taken on the Canon EOS 3 - a film SLR
3. A point and shoot to have fun, let go of control, and just be in the moment. I LOVE point and shoots. I even use them for sessions, and they can produce truly beautiful images. However, the quality of those images varies so so much depending on which model you decide to go with. You can purchase a Kodak M35 for as low as $15 - it’s essentially a disposable camera you can use again and again. I call them toy cameras, because they are made of all plastic. I still love them though, even if the photos are a little grainy, blurry, or out of focus. For our wedding, I actually purchased several of these types of cameras for guests to use for candids.
If you want something a bit better, the Canon Sure Shot/Autoboy series is highly used among analog photographers! There are several models that were made from 1979 to 1988. I use the Canon Sure Shot 90U II almost exclusively for fun film photos. I care less about getting the ‘perfect’ photos when using these.
Everyday moments on the Canon Sure Shot
Finally, you can go very high quality point and shoot - for example, the Contax line of point and shoots are made of glass lenses which produce really fantastic quality images. These cameras are quite expensive, and have been known to break down over time. Regardless, I use a Contax G2 and absolutely love it! I know it will eventually stop working, but some of my favorite photos are taken on this camera! I use it in aperture priority mode and just click the shutter - it’s so simple and easy to use. I have less control with these images so the focus and exposure is not always 100% ‘right,’ however, I love what I capture, even the mistakes.
All taken on my Contax G2 - it doesn’t always nail the focus, but the quality of the images can’t be beat for 35mm!
4. Bonus: Half frame cameras! The half size is a format in which two pictures are captured in a single 35mm-format frame, meaning that you can double the number of pictures that can be captured on a single roll of film. Recently, Pentax released a new film camera, the Pentax 17, which I’ve heard positive reviews about from fellow film friends. If you want to try a half frame, but don’t mind lower quality images, you can try the Kodak Ektar H35 - a ~$50 half frame camera.
My Kodak Ektar H35 half frame camera
Lens
You can purchase a film camera with a lens already attached! Many point and shoot cameras have a little zoom lens that is not interchangeable, making it easy to just get started right away without worrying about purchasing another lens. In addition, when I purchase film cameras from reputable dealers, they often come with a lens. If you need a lens for an SLR for example, a 50mm lens is a versatile choice, often referred to as a "nifty fifty." It closely replicates what the human eye sees, making it great for family portraits and everyday moments. Another great option is 28mm - a personal favorite of mine - as it replicates the depth of iPhone photos. Given that we are all so used to looking at camera photos, I like how this wider lens feels a bit more home-y.
Film
Some of my favorite 35mm film stocks
If you’re a digital photographer, you may be used to setting the ISO of your camera. ISO controls the amount of light your camera lets in, and therefore how dark or light your photos will be. A lower ISO (e.g., 100, 400) lets in less light and is ideal in bright outdoor situations when there is plenty of light around you! A lower ISO also means less grain in your photos. However, sometimes we want to photograph indoors, on a cloudy day, or when it’s dark. In these cases go for a higher ISO - but be warned, these photos will have a bit of grain to them. I personally love grain, but I always try to pick the lowest ISO I can to minimize excessive noise.
With film photography, the roll of film you choose actually determines the ISO! For beginners, I recommend starting with ISO 400 film, which is a good all-around option for different lighting conditions. Kodak Portra 400 is a favorite among family photographers for its true to color photos and fine grain. Kodak Gold is also a great choice as it creates very warm photos - it’s my go-to for when I’m traveling. My favorite film types (aka stocks) include: Kodak Portra 400, Kodak Portra 800, Kodak Gold 200, Ilford Delta 400 (b&w), HP5 Plus 400 (b&w), and Kodak Tri-X (b&w).
Experimental film created these green tones and grain
There are so many options for film - from major film companies to smaller film indie brands. I purchase most of my film from B&H photo. Just be sure you are selecting 35mm (or 135) film when purchasing. As you learn more and more, you can begin to try experimental films, like some of the psychadelic options. And you can even try setting your ISO to something different than your film’s ISO (called pulling or pushing film) - but that’s a discussion for another post!
Tips for Taking Film Photographs
You have your camera and film - now what?! First thing first, YouTube is your friend. Check out the specific type of camera you have to watch videos of people showcasing all of it’s features. The first step is loading the batteries (if your camera uses batteries) and the film. This process can be a little different for every camera, but often it’s quite simple to place the film and it’s leader (the film strip hanging out of the canister) into the back of the camera.
Once your film is loaded, the fun begins! Here’s some of my overarching tips:
Metering: Understanding light is crucial in film photography. This ensures your subject is bright enough and not all in the dark, or completly washed out! In other words, metering is a way for cameras to determine the right exposure. Metering is the process of how your camera decides to assign the right shutter speed and aperture to ensure you are picking up the right amount of light. If you are overwhelmed by all this film jargon - that’s ok and 100% understandable! It’s a lot when just starting out, but I promise you will learn as you go. If you are using a point and shoot, the camera will do all the metering work for you! If you are using an SLR or a fully manual film camera, you will learn how to meter yourself. If your camera has a built-in meter, start by using that option! If not, a handheld meter or smartphone app will help you measure the light. My biggest tip here: Meter for the shadows if you want to retain detail in the darker parts of your image.
Film LOVES light! You may be used to digital, where you expose for the highlights. In film, it’s practically the opposite. Metering on it’s own, could be a whole course! If you are really getting into photography, I recommend learning the basics of metering, getting the right exposure, camera settings (aperture, shutter speed, IS)) by taking a photography course.
Documenting moments: Film photography encourages a slower, more deliberate approach. Think about your composition before clicking the shutter. When photographing kids, let them be themselves—capture their natural expressions and movements. Sometimes you may want to hold the camera up, waiting for the right moment to strike. I like to leave my camera in a place I sit often at home so if a cute moment happens I’m ready to document it!
Practice and Patience: The beauty of film is in its imperfections. Don’t be discouraged by your first few rolls—every mistake is a learning opportunity. Over time, you’ll develop a feel for the medium and begin to see improvements in your photos. Early on I had to accept that I would spend money on bad photos. It was all part of learning! For your first roll of film I recommend getting through the roll in less than a week. You may be tempted to stretch out the roll over a month - but all the while you may be making mistakes you could easily learn from by seeing the photos. For that first roll, try out different lighting situations, go inside and outside, photograph different subjects, and just let go and have fun! You will learn so much from every roll, but you just need to get started.
When you get your first roll of photos back, you can then research what may have happened to produce photos that you like and don’t like. Are they grainy, dark, blurry, etc. Now that you have photos you can diagnose the problems and learn from them.
Developing Film: What to Expect
Once you’ve shot a roll of film, it’s time to develop it. You have two main options:
Lab Development: Most people start by sending their film to a lab. When choosing a lab, look for one that specializes in film and has good reviews. They’ll develop your film and send you the negatives (if you choose) along with digital scans of your images. You can use this tool to find a film lab near you.The two film labs I have used most often include Northeast Photographic (in Maine), and Indie Film Lab. Nearly all film labs allow you the option to mail in your film! You can just place an order online, package up your film, and send it over the lab. When you order, you’ll see options for pulling/pushing film, resolution, types of scanners, etc. This all overwhelmed me at the beginning. For most of my films I just leave the default options. If you have any questions about developing your film, I suggest reaching out to the lab - they are full of nice people who just want to spread their love of film! In anywhere from ~5-14 days you should receive a link to view your photos on an online gallery.
A sheet of negatives from my lab after photographing a wedding
Home Development: As you get more comfortable, you might want to try developing your film at home. It’s a bit more involved but can be a fun and rewarding process. I have a goal of eventually developing my own film at home, but in the meantime I am more than happy to trust that process with my local lab!
Editing Scans: Bringing Your Images to Life
Once you receive your film scans, you might want to do some light editing. The beauty of film is that it often requires less editing than digital. However, you can tweak exposure, contrast, and color balance to match your vision. Programs like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One are excellent for editing film scans. Keep it simple—adjusting the exposure and contrast is often enough to make your images pop. I also sometimes like to play with colors (color grading) to achieve a certain look. These are all creative decisions and there is no wrong way here!
Additional Resources
The world of film photography is growing! There is so much to experiment with and learn here. And while all of this may seem a little overwhelming at first, my biggest piece of advice is to just get started! Start with a point and shoot if you are completely new. That way you can see if film is for you, and then build from there. As you dive in, many questions will arise. Here are some of my favorite film resources:
Other photographers, like Amy Elizabeth