Worth it. It adds another layer of craftsmanship.
As AI becomes more common I'd rather spend my money and attention on something that I know had more time/thought/skill spent on it.
Photography by David S. Wallens
The medium we used to photograph our Miata back in the day? Film. It was either that or draw a picture.
We’d cover our assignment, drop off the film, and then return to the drug store an hour later, presenting our 50-off coupon at the register. It was simply part of our daily drill.
And the medium we’re using today? Again, back to film–not for magazine work but at our monthly Orlando Roadster events.
Why?
Good question. It’s kind of fun–a bit more involved than just whipping out a phone–while the images have a timeless warmth to them. It recalls summer evenings and time spent with old friends.
Perhaps you can call it the difference between driving a new, modern car and something with a bit more personality–like wind-up windows, a manual top and a real throttle cable. (Sounds a little like an early Miata, right?) Look past any current fashions and modern cars in the background and, yes, it is 1998 all over again.
The process of making photos with film takes a little more effort, too: manual focus, watching the light meter and just 36 images per roll of film.
[Vintage cameras: the most accessible way to experience the past?]
Why not just use an app?
Not the same experience. A related observation: We can’t recall the last time anyone seemed excited to see someone taking photos with a cell phone, while we get questions about the film cameras all the time.
So, what camera is it?
Canon A-1 or, in some cases, a Canon F-1.
Can you still buy film?
Yes with, perhaps, more options today than before. In addition to film from the two big names–that being Kodak and Fujifilm–today’s brands include smaller, niche players as well as movie film respooled for use in 35mm still cameras. Each film stock has its own look and feel.
Where do you get film developed?
The local one-hour photo labs have largely disappeared, but other options now exist. Here in Ormond Beach, Florida, we use a shop called Reformed Film Lab. We buy film from them, too.
Do you get prints, too?
While our lab offers prints, we just have the film processed and scanned. The process typically takes four or five business days.
What does all of this cost?
About $5 to $20 per roll of film–give or take a few bucks–plus another $15 or so for processing.
So, again, why go through all that time and expense?
Figure we can discuss that below.
Worth it. It adds another layer of craftsmanship.
As AI becomes more common I'd rather spend my money and attention on something that I know had more time/thought/skill spent on it.
Sometimes I forget how much fun it is to shoot with film until I pick up the camera again.
Then it's like, "oh yeah, that's why I spend all my money on this."
I love film photography. I had to take an art class in college, which was... wow... how long ago?
OK, let's just say they had digital photography back then, and it was already well-developed.
I took photography! Black and white film photography, to be exact, and I had to chemistry the E36 M3 out of that film to develop it into something I could then shoot at some paper, and then.... more chemistry. It wasn't art, it was science! Every shot was carefully-planned, and so more pictures looked good than not. It was very fun, and I learned stuff that helps me take better pictures even today.
Great idea for an article. Thanks for doing something cool like that. Do you have more pictures you can post here?
I always liked doing the darkroom work for photography. Back in '98 digital cameras were pretty terrible. I got my first one around that time and the pics were barely tolerable to print a 3x5. Storage and editing were a huge PITA. Remember those compact flash cards with an actual hard drive inside?
In reply to confuZion3 :
Yeah, the film work has been fun, and you can find more of my film photos in the full article, this forum thread about my film photography adventures, this forum thread for the photographers in the mix, and my personal Instagram.
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