10 Reasons You Want To Be Photographed on Film

The number one question I am asked is, why would you shoot film?!

In today's fast-paced digital world, where instant gratification and convenience reign supreme, the art of film photography might seem to most like a relic of the past. However being photographed on film offers a unique set of benefits that digital photography simply cannot replicate. So let's delve into my top ten reasons why you really do want to be photographed on film:

• Images with Soul: One of the most compelling arguments for film is the distinctive aesthetic quality which enables film photographs to stand out from the crowd. Unlike the uniformity of digital images, each film stock (for example Kodak, Fuji or Ilford) imparts its own unique character and tonal richness to photographs. The organic grain structure of film adds a unique texture to images, infusing them with a soulful charm and nostalgia that digital pixels simply cannot replicate.

• Dynamic Range: Unlike digital sensors, which can sometimes struggle with highlights and shadows, film exhibits a graceful transition from light to dark, allowing for greater flexibility in capturing scenes with challenging lighting conditions. This inherent latitude means your photographer can often explore a wider range of creative possibilities, from softly lit portraits to dramatic landscapes, with confidence and precision.

• Flattering Skin Tones: Film's unique chemical composition and colour characteristics contribute to the gentle, organic rendering of skin tones, creating a soft and natural look that can be challenging to replicate with digital sensors.
  
  Different film stocks impart their own signature aesthetic to skin tones. My favourite film, Kodak Portra, is renowned for its smooth, life-like rendition of skin, with a delicate balance of warmth and accuracy. Portra's fine grain structure and wide exposure latitude allow for nuanced detail and tonal transitions, resulting in portraits that feel authentic and timeless.
  
  Similarly, classic black and white films like Ilford HP5 or Kodak Tri-X offer a distinct interpretation of skin tones, with rich gradations of light and shadow that add depth and character to portraits. The subtle interplay of highlights and shadows in black and white film photography can evoke a sense of drama and emotion, enhancing the visual impact of the subject.

• Escape from Digital Overload: In today's hyperconnected world, where digital technology permeates every aspect of our lives, being involved in the process of shooting film provides a welcome respite from the constant barrage of screens and pixels. By embracing analogue photography, you have the opportunity to disconnect from the digital noise for a moment.
  
  Unlike digital photography, there is no opportunity to view and criticise the resulting images immediately in the back of a film camera. This medium of photography requires patience, which is rewarded with so much excitement when the photographs are finally revealed some weeks later.

• Meaningful Connection: With all digital distractions put to one side, your photographer can embrace a more deliberate and mindful approach to image-making. Each frame becomes a precious opportunity to connect with you and convey a narrative or emotion. By slowing down and immersing themselves in the moment, film photographers can cultivate a deep appreciation for their surroundings and forge genuine connections with the people and places they photograph.

• Limitations Foster Creativity: Film imposes certain limitations on photographers, such as a finite number of exposures per roll and the inability to review images immediately after capture. While these limitations may seem restrictive at first, they can actually foster creativity and encourage photographers to think more critically about composition, exposure, and timing. Working within these constraints often leads to more deliberate and intentional image-making. Film photographers generally learn to trust their instincts and make each frame count.

• The Magic: The film development process is a precise and magical journey bringing latent images captured on film to life. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of analogue craftsmanship and the allure of traditional photographic techniques. From the careful loading of the film to the final reveal of the developed images, each step in the process is a celebration of artistry, patience and the transformative power of light and chemistry.

• Physical Backups: Film negatives offer a tangible backup solution for preserving valuable photographs and have a proven track record of longevity and stability. When properly stored, physical negatives can last almost indefinitely, unlike digital files which are susceptible to corruption, hardware failure and format obsolescence.

• Unrivalled Print Quality: Film negatives offer a wide range of creative printing options beyond traditional darkroom techniques. From contact prints and enlargements to alternative processes, each printing technique imbues the final image with its own unique aesthetic.
  
  The process of shooting film is a tactile one from beginning to end and photographs captured using this medium are at their best when printed. Holding a physical print made from a film negative evokes a sense of nostalgia and connection to the photographic process. The tactile nature of film prints, with their textured surfaces and tangible presence, adds a dimension of craftsmanship and authenticity that digital prints often lack.

• Connection with History: Film photography has a rich history and cultural significance. When you are photographed on film, you are engaging in a process which dates back two centuries. From the iconic images captured on film by legendary photographers, to the enduring legacy of analogue technology, you are connecting with a tradition and a process that spans generations.
  
  This is how your parents, your grandparents and great grandparents recorded images of the people and places that were important to them. If you’re the sort of person who feels a thrill at discovering a box full of film negatives in your parents’ attic, then you’ll appreciate the timeless allure and nostalgic sense of continuation to be felt by engaging in the same process.
  
  And perhaps one day your family members will find a few negatives lying in a box in your attic and feel that same sense of excitement and anticipation to find out who, what and where was important enough for you to capture on film for them.

Have I convinced you? I hope so!

If you’re looking for beautiful photographs that stand out from the crowd, are interested in learning more about film or would like to schedule a photography session with me then get in touch. I can’t wait to hear from you!