Film Photography

By Jacey Wilson

Cameras

For someone just beginning in photography, whether this be casual and memory-focused or more professional and fast-paces, there are many different camera options. Film cameras available for purchase now seem to be most easily sorted into three categories, these being disposable, reusable point-and-shoot, and a SLR (Single-Lens Reflex). Disposable cameras are popular for those who are trying out film for the first time. There are also underwater variations of this type of camera. Reusable point-and-shoot cameras and disposable cameras each fit into the point-and-shoot category. Whereas disposable cameras are single-use and never opened by the user, reusable point-and-shoot cameras can have different rolls of film loaded, shot on, removed, and reloaded over and over. These are better for the environment as they contribute less to plastic waste, but also tend to yield a bit better results than cheaper single-use cameras. Nevertheless, disposable cameras (or "dispos") can offer a great entry point for many interested in film photography!

One intimidating aspect of using a reusable camera is reloading the film. There is a risk of light leak and potentially ruining the entire roll if loading and unloading are not completed properly. The video below explains the loading process for the reusable Kodak M35 camera that I personally use!

DSLR cameras (left) offer users the ability to very quickly capture high-quality images which are instantly retrievable through SD card extraction. The convenience, potential for quickly generating a high image count, and ease of photo access stand in stark contrast to film. Polaroid photos (right) are another type of film photography sometimes called instant film. These cameras require no lab development, instead developing in the minutes following image capture. Polaroid cameras can be fun entry points for all ages!

Polaroid cameras have been around for a while and have similarly maintained popularity. These tend to be fun for kids, teenagers, and young adults in addition to older adults. Polaroid film typically has a similar cost to 35mm film. Cameras can range in price, but Instax cameras are the most popular type and have stayed pretty affordable. These offer users the ability to instantly access photos while still achieving a sense of scarcity similar to 35mm film, likewise creating an interest in preserving captures.

The photos below provide an example of a Polaroid (right) and a scanned version of the photo (left). Photos can easily be scanned on smartphone applications with or without the white border. This is just one example of scanned Polaroid film!

Polaroid (Mini) Gallery