Film Photography Techniques

Film Photography Techniques: Getting Good at Analog

Hey, film fans! If you’re reading this, you probably already love the vibe of film photography—or you’re at least thinking about giving it a whirl. There’s nothing quite like that grainy texture, the wait to see your shots, or the feel of a real print in your hands. Digital’s fine, but film’s got heart. It’s not always easy, though—no instant previews, and every shot’s gotta count.

That’s why I’ve put together this rundown of film photography techniques to help you get the hang of it and make some photos you’ll actually want to show off.

We’ll walk through the basics: choosing film, getting exposure right, setting up killer compositions, trying some fun tricks, and even touching on developing. I’ll toss in a couple of my own screw-ups too, just to keep it honest. So, grab your camera, load a roll, and let’s dive in!

Why Film Photography’s Worth It

First off, why bother with film? It’s not just some hipster throwback—though the retro feel is pretty cool. Film makes you slow down and think about what you’re shooting, which can seriously level up your skills. Plus, there’s that buzz of not knowing how it’ll turn out ‘til it’s developed—like a little surprise party for yourself. And that film look? The colors, the grain—it’s got a vibe digital can’t quite nail. Up for it? Here’s how to get started.

1. Picking Your Film: Start Strong

The film you choose sets the mood for your whole roll—it’s like picking the right soundtrack. Different films do different things, so here’s the quick scoop:

• Color Negative Film: The go-to. It’s flexible, doesn’t mind if your exposure’s a bit off, and works for pretty much anything—sunny days, portraits, whatever. Stuff like Kodak Portra 400 or Fuji Pro 400H gives you nice, natural colors.

• Black and White Film: Total classic. It’s all about mood and contrast—great for street pics or big landscapes. Ilford HP5 has a raw feel; Kodak Tri-X is smoother. Plus, it’s not too hard to develop yourself.

• Slide Film: The show-off. Films like Fuji Velvia or Kodak Ektachrome pop with bold colors and crisp detail, but you’ve gotta be spot-on with exposure. Nail it, and they’re stunners.

• Specialty Films: The quirky ones. Infrared makes scenes look wild and dreamy; redscale turns everything warm and reddish. Good for when you want to mix it up.

Tip: New to this? Grab some color negative like Kodak Gold 200 or a black-and-white roll. They’re chill and easy to track down.

2. Getting Exposure Right: Don’t Sweat It

With film, you don’t get a redo screen, so exposure’s gotta be on point. It’s all about the exposure triangle: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Here’s how they play:

• Aperture: How much light your lens lets in. Low numbers (f/2.8) mean more light and a blurry backdrop—nice for people shots. Higher (f/16) keeps it all sharp—think landscapes.

• Shutter Speed: How long the light’s hitting the film. Quick speeds (1/500s) freeze stuff like a dog running; slow ones (1/15s) blur motion or brighten dim spots. Use a tripod for anything below 1/60s to keep it steady.

• ISO: How sensitive your film is. Low (100-200) is for sunny days with less grain. Higher (400-800) works in low light but adds some texture—which can look awesome.

How It Fits: It’s a balancing game. Bright day? Try ISO 100, f/11, 1/250s. Indoors? Go ISO 400, f/2.8, 1/60s. Mess around ‘til it feels right.

Real Talk: I once botched a roll of ISO 400 film because I set my camera to ISO 100 by mistake. Half the pics were too dark to save. Now I check my settings like three times—trust me, you’ll learn fast.

3. Composition: Make Your Shots Pop

You’ve only got 24 or 36 frames, so make ‘em count. Composition’s about setting up your shot to draw people in. Some solid moves:

• Rule of Thirds: Imagine a grid splitting your frame into thirds. Stick your subject on the lines or where they cross—it looks natural and grabs attention.

• Leading Lines: Paths, rails, or even someone’s stare can guide the eye through your pic. It’s like a little roadmap.

• Framing: Use a window or branches to box in your subject—adds some depth.

• Negative Space: Leave empty room around what matters. It can make a shot feel calm or strong.

Mix It Up: Rules are cool, but if breaking them works for your vibe—like centering stuff or tilting the frame—do it. Film’s your playground.

4. Fun Shooting Tricks: Get Creative

Film’s perfect for trying weird stuff. Here are some ideas to shake things up:

• Long Exposure: Use a slow shutter (like 1 second) to blur moving things—think smooth water or light trails. Tripod’s a must; an ND filter helps in daylight.

• Multiple Exposures: Some cameras let you shoot twice on one frame—layer a person over a skyline or something. It’s funky and artsy.

• Filters: Polarizers cut glare and punch up colors; ND filters let you slow things down in bright light. Simple but effective.

Give It a Go: Shoot through a prism or a beat-up lens for some oddball effects. Might flop, might be brilliant.

5. Developing and Printing: See the Magic

You’ve shot your roll—time to see what you’ve got. Developing turns film into negatives; printing or scanning makes them real. Labs can do it all, but here’s the gist:

• Black and White: Easier to try at home with a dark bag and some chemicals (developer, stop, fixer). Look up a tutorial—it’s doable.

• Color: Trickier and costs more, so labs are usually smarter unless you’re all in.

• Printing/Scanning: Make prints in a darkroom or scan negatives to go digital. Labs can scan ‘em high-quality if you’re not set up.

Easy Start: Send your first rolls to a lab for “develop + scan.” Keeps it simple while you figure out the rest.

Wrap-Up: Have Fun With It

Film photography’s not about being perfect—it’s about the ride. Every roll’s a chance to try stuff, mess up a little, and get better. You might blow an exposure or miss focus (yep, done that), but those slip-ups stick with you more than any guidebook. And when you hit that one killer shot? Total win.

So, load your camera, pick a film, tweak your settings, and shoot what you love. The real fun’s in the surprises and the stories you’ll tell with each pic. Got a trick you swear by or a film fail worth a laugh? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear!