Film photography is making a comeback, and it’s about time. People are gravitating towards the nostalgic and beautiful qualities of film photos.
There is something timeless and heartfelt about documenting moments on film. Images turn out a candid and authentic feel that just isn’t quiet the same as digital photography. It’s like listening to a vinyl record versus listening to the same album on Spotify. There is something about the analogue delivery that feels different, even the preparation and process; with an album, you choose your record, you take it out of the sleeve, you open your record player top, place the needle, and bathe in the sound. The idea is the same when taking a photo on film – you load the film in the camera, you advance the roll forward, set your ISO, then you make decisions about what aperture and shutter speed to use, you observe your lighting, set up your composition, and make the picture.
There is something timeless and heartfelt about documenting moments on film. Images turn out a candid and authentic feel that just isn’t quiet the same as digital photography. It’s like listening to a vinyl record versus listening to the same album on Spotify. There is something about the analogue delivery that feels different, even the preparation and process; with an album, you choose your record, you take it out of the sleeve, you open your record player top, place the needle, and bathe in the sound. The idea is the same when taking a photo on film – you load the film in the camera, you advance the roll forward, set your ISO, then you make decisions about what aperture and shutter speed to use, you observe your lighting, set up your composition, and make the picture.
Annie Leibovitz has said that she makes pictures rather than takes pictures. I can’t tell you why she chooses the view it this way, but for me, it’s because there is method to photographing people and all of their nuance. It’s not just snapping a photo, it’s slow, intentional, it requires attention and some passion.
