Film Photography. Nope.

[@erichstocker8358]

I am a big film shooter but I do not see any reason why everyone needs to try film. There isn't anything magical about it. It is a process that I love and, of course, it has a look that can be different than the more pristine, sharp and dynamic range than digital. However, use the camera that you feel comfortable with. I don't subscribe to the belief that one can't be a real photographer unless one shoots film. I love the process and have been doing it since I was 10 years old and I'm 77 now. I have tons of film cameras of all formats. However, a lot of time I take only digital.

[@bastimartinez2771]

I think why a lot of people encourage others to shoot film is that it goes back to making people focus on learning the craft of photography and placing limits on oneself in order to become more creative. When using film you’re usually stuck with a specific (and often low iso), a low limit on the number of shots, lack of features like autofocus, etc. This forces a lot of people to be more careful and thoughtful in every shot they take, treating every photo they take as valuable. And once you go back to digital and have lost these restrictions, you can use them to further your skills instead of using them as a crutch. That’s not to say you can’t restrict oneself on digital or that you can’t be creative without restrictions, but having these things hold you back in this area can really help you learn how to take great photos despite these limits.

[@vin424242]

How can it not be magical seeing that photo you have taken, developed, test printed, dodged and burned come to life in the darkroom, it😊s wonderful to me

[@jimmason8502]

@@vin424242 I have used both and while I admire B&W film shooters who process and print their own work, digital is just so much easier and faster and the end result is just as good if not better. I'm happy with a good image regardless of the process involved.

[@johnyutzey6504]

Like Erich, I still shoot film. Not a lot (I shoot digital most of the time). But I'm not self-righteous about it. I do like the look of film images, but mostly I think I just love shooting film cameras because it's an enjoyable experience that I just won't give up.

[@villageblunder4787]

How big is the film?

[@srt10acrx]

As someone who loves to shoot film that's exactly the type of place I would want to shoot it. But I also shoot film because I'm more likely to enjoy the process when I can't obsess over the images I've taken. I just take a picture and move on... And that's part of what I love about it. If it turns out it's a pleasant surprise. It's like a meditative practice in letting go... But it's not for everyone.

[@gregpantelides1355]

For me it’s exactly this type of meditative experience that draws me to the medium. Examine the scene, feel the balance, commit it to the negative and keep moving. I know some people can shoot and not instantly check their photos but I know myself well enough to know that’s not me. ;-)

[@SingularityEngine]

"It's like a meditative practice in letting go..." Spot on!

[@MaxAndHisBike]

I shoot film as well as digital and I kind of like that I don't see the images but I also hate it a bit. For context I was on a 2 day vacation recently and brought my Sony A7 and my Minolta X700 with me, and on the first day my Sony broke so I was stuck with film for basically the whole trip. What frustrated me a bit when I got the pictures back is that I missed some shots which I really wouldn't have wanted to miss. For example I climed a pretty steep and very tall hill which was extremely exhausting, got to the top with an amazing view over the city and there was a lady feeding some crows. It was quite windy at the top and every now and again a crow would take off, stay still in the air, hovering a meter above the ground and then come back down. It felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity to get a picture of one crow with its wings spread hovering above a few other crows close to sunset with the beautiful city in the background in a city I've never been to and likely won't return for the next decade. Then I got my images back and of the 4 pictures I took none were usable, the crow was always blurry because there wasn't enough light to go to 1/250th. On my digital camera I could've gotten a hundred pictures and probably 10 outstanding ones, but on my film camera it simply wasn't possible, either the image is underexposed to the point of being unviewable or my subject is blurry. It's quite frustrating to see what could've been. For photos in the city, memories and even landscapes film is absolutely amazing and I enjoy it a lot, but every now and again there is a challenging once in a lifetime opportunity to shoot the best picture you ever shot and you either miss it or don't attempt it at all because taking risks on film, or in photography in general usually means a low rate of success and on film you can't play the numbers game. I think film is best for situations where it doesn't matter if the picture looks perfect because you'll like it regardless, but for situations where you really have to nail something in order for the picture to work digital is infinitely better. But I do think starting out on film made me a better photographer, because you only have one or two shots at taking an image you stop to really make sure everything lines up which is something I still do even when shooting digital.

[@DaveVaughan2004]

Film for me is a way of relaxing and detaching. Digital is amazing, there is no mistaking but I find no enjoyment in firing off 10-15 shots, varied compositions, lighting etc. and then sitting in front of a screen deciding which I prefer. Its a bit of a cliche I know but film makes me think more and take my time instead of rushing around. We all have our own taste and what makes a good image is always going to be subjective. I enjoy viewing technically excellent images but I also really enjoy images that have a story, feeling, history. Something that shouts out and intrigues me.

[@andrewhumphrys5548]

Hi James, one option is to take a film camera and digital camera. Photograph the same subject with both and compare the results.

[@nineephe]

Yes, or try a film camera with something that you won't miss if it didn't come out right. Go out, explore and be deliberate, I think it helps creativity

[@prcr]

That's precisely what I do. Also, I find that different subjects "call' for digital or film.

[@neiljones3154]

The difference between analogue and digital is best summed up by my recent experience at a wedding. There were two photographers shooting digital and towards the end of the day I asked on of them how many shots they had taken, the reply of approx. 18,000 stunned me. Back in the 1970s I did weddings to feed my camera habit and then it was 72 shots, 12 in the album. With analogue you start by being selective about what you are shooting, with digital you shoot more liberally and sort them afterwards. It's a whole different mindset.

[@dannyphotos]

With the inflation of wedding photography prices, customers demand much more these days. No missed shots, no missed moments, they want perfection and lots of it. Such a high-stakes, high-pressure type of gig I can't see myself ever taking on.

[@NicSkerten]

Well I shot over 200 weddings professionally digitally and never shot more than 1200 for a full day. 18,000 images is just shotgunning it and is the reason so many pros got out of the wedding business - it was being devalued by photographers like that!

[@seanteague2522]

18000 is insane 1000 is ample

[@nineephe]

I think for me it is learning to be deliberate with the photos you take and not just "shotgunning" it as another comment said. I think people should try shooting film at least once if they have the opportunity. Don't shoot something important but go out, explore and be deliberate. I think it helps with creativity

[@neiljones3154]

@@nineephe I agree. There is a very different mindset, from choosing B&W or Colour, through choosing film stock to making the most of every shot. You don't get to bang off a couple of dozen similar shot just to see what works.

[@emrhyssstead]

Your videos are the highlight of my week mate, please don’t ever stop!

[@TRISTRAMY]

Its so good to hear talk about the feeling of an image. The feeling is everything.

[@kore996]

Just carry 2 cameras…1 film and 1 mirrorless then you have 3 copies of an image. Plus the mirrorless camera almost like a light meter to help (or “cheat”) with your settings and have a greater chance of success 😃. Film photography purists will probably hate this comment. I started off on film with my dads Minolta and had some point and shoot film cameras along the way also. I use to enjoy processing in a dark room but it’s been so long that there’s no way I remember everything we use to do.

[@emoslayer1987]

I carry 3 cameras... 2 mirrorless and one film.

[@mrwashur1991]

If you’re looking for a great “feeling” lens then definitely get that Helios 44 that everyone is in love with. I’ve been having a blast shooting with it. Landscape shots are soft but I love it.

[@johntheurer2265]

In the process of switching to Fuji I’ve discovered that the thing I love about film is the cameras. Not having to think about the camera and just shooting it’s magical.

[@shutterlag192]

Maybe this makes me not a “true” photographer but I love the experience of taking the photo, creating it in the moment and the moment it’s self. I have no desire to edit or alter what was created then. As a current professional I spend a lot of time on the back end basically recreating what film just is. Unfortunately I’ve given up film due to cost, but I love it because it is an inherently beautiful medium.

[@AgiLovesCandys]

Absolutely the same. And I don't know if it's just my personal gripe with finding editing boring, but I somewhat enjoy the shots originally taken almost always better. Even if I picked the wrong settings even if something is fixable, there is more charm in it then when I sit down and edit away according to all I've learned.

[@mikejankowski6321]

Great images and entertaining waffling as always. No bashing, that’s critical. No sheep, so sad . Room enough for all, with different preferences, tastes, and goals. It would be fun to follow you through a few rolls of film.

[@marknicholson5293]

I understand that National Geographic photographers would shoot scores of rolls of Kodachrome on an assignment and send them in to National Geographic headquarters. Then they would wait on location until the editors were satisfied that they had all the photos they needed. There is a story about Galen Rowell making a dash to get a photo of a rainbow on the Potala Palace and when he walked back in National Geographic headquarters, someone casually mentioned in a hallway or something, "You got your rainbow."

[@asphotographics]

Love that photo and loved Galen Rowell. Was one of my “mentors” when I was growing up, both for his adventures and his photography. Don’t see him mentioned often theses days, so thank you.

[@TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel]

Shooting film for several years and having a dedicated film channel i can just recommend to shoot film but have a digital kamera at the same time just in case as a backup. Or you switch cameras on different subjects that look better on film or digital. So you dont have to fear SD card failure or film shenanigans.

[@michael_177]

Damn, nice beard man. I'm kinda jealous. And even nicer channel

[@TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel]

@@michael_177 thanks man!

[@-grey]

Film and Leica are the similar to me. They are more about the experience of tinkering and dialing in everything just right. The extra steps, and precision engineering are the fun part. It's more about the journey than the result. So it's not for everyone. Especially if you shoot in dynamic or moving environments. You really have to enjoy the slow methodical process of missing the shot. 😂

[@AgiLovesCandys]

The last sentence :'D should put that in my cv pfft

[@vincentvincent5979]

I'm mainly a film shooter, but if you want an experience that is closer to film when shooting digital an older DSLR (i.e. 5D) or a compact with a CCD sensor - or adapting vintage glass - is a good shout.

[@3elementscreativemedia]

Less perfection, more feeling. I like that James. Life is imperfect so an accurate portrayal has to reflect that.

[@FeralGinger]

1:44 is one of my favourite images of yours to-date James! Absolutely phenomenal!

[@keithspillett5298]

I was a pro photographer for fifty odd years, and we would never have thought of travelling without two camera bodies,and alternating between them. Even then things could still go disastrously wrong. On one occasion, I was covering an evening function at the Royal Albert Hall for a large food and beverage company. One roll of film had a damaged perforation around frame 30, which caught on the cassette during rewinding, and ripped the entire film in half. VERY embarrassing 😳

[@SixSD]

I agree, it's terrifying, and fun! Also, you can't emulate the process, neither the feeling of watching your image emerge from a fibre based paper in the developer bath. And you can't emulate the texture, black depth, finish and tonal range of a good photographic paper. Personally I would carry a digital camera to a trip like that (for safety), but I'd also prefer to carry a film based camera rather than ask myself how that landscapes would look like in medium format all my life. : )

[@danielhenzphotography]

There are basically 3 kinds of KZbin-photography: Gear-focus Art and feeling Learning As much as the camera systems progressed, I think, as you said, many photographers shift to Nr. 2 and 3 because, gear is so good these days, there is often not much exiting anymore. That is why, I love the shift to story telling and feeling of photography/images

[@Just-a-Guy1]

Really nice work, James. Thanks!

[@Jake-vt4ow]

Wow, such beautiful images. Love your work. I started in film, but can’t imagine going back to it. I’d be afraid to risk a shoot on it, and I love the freedom of shooting so many images of wildlife, mainly birds, with my D850.

[@ValerioCata]

With digital the learning curve is much faster. You got instant feedback. The lack of feedback on analogue cameras and the limited amount of pictures you can take is what I enjoy when shooting with an old camera. Different experiences, one teaches you how to properly use a camera, the other one teaches you how to be more thoughtful when taking a picture.

[@mvonwalter6927]

I'm shooting a lot more film again and color and feel of a given film stock is certainly part of it. But I am mostly doing it for the experience and simplicity. I love the mechanical camera, the lenses are small (Leica M) and I have no choices distracting me (menus, film sims, settings, etc). I take very different pictures this way. I am engaged in a different way. But when it comes to going any place critical or non-replicable (travel events, etc) you bet I am bringing my digital, and I have chosen systems with flexible files that I can grade exactly the way I want them - yes - to look just like my film shots.

[@albedo0point39]

Having ‘done’ film the first time around, I’m totally happy to be 100% digital now. The hipsters and influencers can keep their film resurgence. Prices for the film and development these days are shocking too! 😅

[@NikonDave]

Coming from film and occasionally revisiting in general I think makes me a better photographer from having to take the time to think out my exposure and composition. I really enjoy the slow down and the experience but totally get what you are saying. I would never trust film in any travel scenario unless it was for a very specific purpose. Always enjoy the videos. Cheers!

[@digitalrewindvideos]

As a photographer who shoots digital and film, I will say most people don't explain the reason for shooting film quite right. The closest I've seen someone express what it does to you as a photographer is Peter McKinnon in his more recent stuff. People say it's the film look, sure. Or the glass, okay. The real reason everyone should attempt shooting film is for what it does to you on a deeply personal and artistic level. The reason that we have been shifting back to emotion, and not technical perfection is BECAUSE of the film revival. You have 24 or 36 chances per roll to get it right, so don't get it "right", just focus on how you want it to FEEL. It changes how you shoot, when you shoot, where you shoot. It genuinely changes your perspective, and everything about how you think as a creative. You get picky. You get patient. You get better. For real.

[@LauMagroTheFrenchKOInection]

Fabulous James. Didnt want that video to end.

[@markhou]

I'd recommend to use film for casual life events where you would normally take pictures with your phone. You can get a really compact point and shoot with manual settings, or something like a Leica cl. You'll capture memories in a very interesting way.

[@dannyphotos]

Love my Contax T2 for exactly this reason. Fits in my bag or even a pocket and has so much more character than iPhone photos, which I've grown to dislike more and more over the years

[@markhou]

You should do a colab with ilford 📸

[@JoseLavoie]

When I go out shooting, I always have a film camera and a digital camera, plus my phone. I mostly used from, but for vacation, I'll open used the digital for convenience and making sure that the composition I thought was good is actually decent. Best of both worlds. I do agree that digitally you could get close enough to a film stock, but for me, the attraction is the more intentional process of taking pictures and the imperfections of film (call it nostalgia if you want). That last one actually made me realise the futility of the highest resolution race. I have 6mp photos on my wall sitting beside 24mp ones and nobody could tell the difference, short of having them side by side, right up to your nose.

[@keithpinn152]

Wonderful video and images. You so fortunate to have been able to experience Greenland.

[@stevemitchell8839]

Great video as always James, 2 weeks ago I purchased a Nikon FM and a developing tank, I am loving the whole process. I find that I take a lot more time before pushing the shutter button to make sure the composition is as good as I can get it. the anticipation and processing portion is very satisfying also.

[@helgeschneider4417]

To be fair, the last time I've shot film was when I was still a child, with those single use throwaway cameras, so I it's been a while. But I think that lots of modern day photographers should give it a try and just go back to the basics for a week or two, to both build a better connection to their work and to get a little reality check. Nowadays people start complaining when their camera doesn't have autofocus that can track the UFO shooting over their heads at Mach 3.

[@DavidSenteno]

Starting in film and working in a darkroom was an experience. I have to say I prefer digital because it gives me the freedom to experiment without the cost. If become an expert photographer or wealthy I will give a try again.

[@saarin0tsorry]

👋 Hi. old guy here. Shot lots of film. Went to art school in the late 80s. Had a darkroom. Loved the paper stock, the look of films, even miss it occasionally. But my Nikon FA has sat on its shelf for decades now. After many years of meh shooting DSLRs, in 2015 the Nikon D750 came out. I got one and have never looked back! Since that time I have expanded my gear to mirror less and am so very happy with the look and feel of the images I can make. Great video (As always) and I completely agree with your take (even if you are a Sony bro 😎)!

[@TomFlink]

The learning curve for film is compounded by the time it takes to get the results back given labs are not as common as they once were. That's led me to develop my own, experiment, try something different, and understand what I like and what I don't. You have to be more purposeful. Thanks for more great content!

[@SanTM]

I suppose if you're not a career photographer and more a hobbyist the lack of instant gratification it gives makes you want to do it more, at least that's what happens for me. I find digital photography a bit boring, and how the best digital photos have sometimes had a lot of work done in post. I know film also gets colour balancing done depending on who you develop and scan with but when I receive my scans within a day (don't always have to wait too long) I don't touch the images. Mainly due to time and the fact that I'm happy with the results of film. For me there are more interesting film cameras out there, technologically they are mostly the same but some just sound or handle differently, not to mention the thrill of finding a great one for super cheap, plus the lenses. It's not for everyone but I personally find digital too flat, unless a lot of work is done to it

[@ChristopherSkow]

You nailed it...its striving to achieve a feeling through photography whether its digital or film and true to the original invention of digital photography, there is no reason why it can't be digital. Great video!

[@_Caddac]

I just recently came back from a 2.5 week trip to Europe and I had the same worry...so I basically carried my film and digital camera around with me everywhere I went. I prioritized shooting on the film but took plenty on digital too in case things went wrong (which they did, I had a shutter sticking issue but I still got a lot of great quality snaps)

[@DanaPushie]

Been there, done that; it's where I started several lifetimes ago and I have no interest in going back. Currently using APS-C Mirrorless and having great fun. Really enjoy your channel James. Thanks for sharing.

[@nealrantoul9831]

I shot film for 36 years before digital was even possible. I hold nothing in my heart for film. Lugging an 8 x 10 camera down to the bottom of a marble quarry in northern Italy in 100F-degree heat is not an experience I would choose to repeat. I believe the appeal and romantic feelings people have for film is simply that they have none or little experience with it. James is totally correct: anything is possible with digital.

[@paulroyle-grimes]

Exactly

[@timothylatour4977]

I agree completely.

[@aantonic]

U wong, why would anyone need to carry huge8x10 fornat camera, there is 35mm too. I shood both, digital for color but BW for film. I develop and analog print myself, thats meditation for me. You never had that feeling thats why you thinking that way

[@rjphotos]

What shooting film does is hammers home how utterly spoiled we are with digital cameras and how nobody has any justification to complain about anything on a digital camera that is 15 years old or newer. Anyone who hasn’t shot film should do it once to appreciate this point.

[@DS-ke8pq]

Bang on 100%. From the era of manual focus, non-TTL metering, shooting your focal length as min shutter speed,1/500 or 1/1000 shutter max and manually adjusted ASA 25/64/100/200 and 400 you could easily have a handful of properly exposed images from a 36 roll. Very frustrating at times, very expensive, forget the look - it was about getting anything half decent.

[@theothermarkwilliams]

James, I'm hoping you have a book or calendar forthcoming with photos from this trip! Stunning stuff here. Kudos to you!

[@generalkimlong]

Hey James, this vid is probably godsent for me really. I started playing around with film and whatnot in the last 2 weeks with my friend equipment and also came to the conclusion that nope film was not for me. Also, using film cameras for a few days did true make me appreciate the technologies we now have and the old masters a lot more

[@Jagrajagra]

I would argue that at least 2/3 of the “film look” ain’t down so much to the film, but the lenses used. They have a quality all their own that modern lenses simply cannot replicate. Not better, but different. I’m much happier mixing an old lens with a modern digital camera than wasting huge amounts of time and money with rolls of film. It was fun but I’d hate to go back to it now. On the other hand I’m sure I still have some old rolls of film unused… never say never, eh.

[@daesong1378]

I sometimes shoot won’t an old canon FL Mount lens and I do find that it has a particular quality too it that my modern lenses don’t have. Sometimes it’s really good; sometimes it’s really bad.

[@martinlemke4440]

You are absolutely right... With perfection you can't transport emotions. It's more about composition, light and telling a story. Btw. I Like your shots from Greenland... I have to travel there... Fantastic.

[@cameratrav]

Really enjoyable video James. Being somewhat older, nearly all hobbyist photographers of my generation used a Zenith E for a while when we couldn't afford something better. Crude mechanically but they mostly worked and many still do - the first two numbers of the serial are the year of manufacture. You should give it a go locally with a colour film, just once - as you said it would make a good video!

[@The58stupot]

Yup same here, my first camera was a Zenit E back in the day. Then along came a Praktica B200 with a selection of the Prakticar lenses. Loved that old thing. Shoot Fuji digital nowadays, happy days though 👍

[@Rumplestiltskin7]

SquareSpace - I'm afraid to shoot film - SquareSpace - SquareSpace. Awesome video

[@xiaodu87]

Being a hobbyist, I like both. I started out digitally and encountered analog photography through my late granddads 1950s camera. As I use M42 lenses on my digital camera anyway, the step towards a used Pentax Spotmatic II was a small one. And I find it rewarding to know that everything (apart from light metering) works mechanically. Thats the charm for me - and the experimental feeling. When I know, I'm going on a longer walk and shoot more, I take my K70. Less costly with filmstock and developing / scanning. So for me it is no contradiction.

[@WhiskyLock]

The only scary thing about film is developing costs 😬That and inhaling Blix fumes... 😵‍💫 If you really want to you can get a 'film puller' or 'leader retriever' which will allow you rewind and unload a partially shot roll of film and reload it later so you can switch to a different film stock. You'll have to make a note of how many shots you've used on the first roll so you can wind it on the correct number of frames when you go back to it. Or just carry two bodies. You can get small pro film bodies for not much money. More to the point though, film and Photoshop aren't mutually exclusive. You can shoot a general purpose film stock, scan it and use Photoshop to simulate other film stocks within reason letting you make your creative decisions after the fact just like digital. Film isn't as limiting as it used to be.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Man, those last shots of the peaks are sensational. Nicely done, James :)

[@andymcgarty3099]

Great shots of icebergs and low clouds/fog. Very nice.

[@neutrinissimo5118]

To me, the best thing about film is the process itself, mostly the printing (and toning) of b&w images. And things like dry plates (also making the emulsions and coating the plates). If I want to shoot colour, I do shoot digital instead (I haven't had the best experiences with colour film, and it's somewhat expensive...).

[@trondsi]

My personal reasons for shooting film: the brilliant look of slide film on the light table, the crisp simplicity of BW film, and the cool mechanical cameras (some built like robust little automatons with fascinating clockwork mechanisms).

[@davidskinner274]

I agree, James.far prefer to see feeling and emotion in people's images over technically perfect any day. Don't my best to get that through to the camera club fraternity as a judge.

[@Batch2103]

Love the video James. I agree having started with Kodachrome 64, life is a lot simpler now with digital. But as you alluded to in your video, it's the intent and mindset that you have to have to take film. Very difficult to be a casual shooter imho.

[@harrykitch9239]

Love the photos. I learned on film (slides) and with the expense it certainly made me slow down and contemplate each shot. Now with digital, I can be freer to try different settings, compositions and editing. On another note, I would love to see you explore your capturing "your feelings" in your photography.

[@L.Spencer]

Did the pros, like National Geographic photographers, used to shoot slide film? I have the idea that they had to be responsible for everything in the frame. I used to take film photos in the 90's, in high school and afterwards, and I thought I was pretty knowledgeable, but didn't continue much and didn't use digital. When the pandemic began I started learning how to use my digital camera, (realized I didn't know nearly as much as I thought I did about photography, too!) with that same idea of framing the photo how I wanted the final to be. But now I've learned to "shoot for the crop", both in digital and in a recent bw film class I took. I relearned that the 35mm film doesn't fit on an 8x10, so to get the whole image in it has to be smaller.

[@jaunman71]

Great video James. I totally agree with you, you are def best suited for digi work as you can shoot as many pics as you like and then spend hours manipulating it until you have the right look. Film would not suit your type of photography as it is a more precise process, unforgiving if you don’t know what you are doing and needs a lot more knowledge. Keep up the good work, look forward to the next digi adventure. BTW no one says you cant bring two cameras for each format 😅 don’t be scared.

[@russellsprout2223]

'...then spend hours manipulating it...' is EXACTLY why I DON'T and never have owned a digital camera.

[@desgardner7169]

My first 40 yrs with film were the best! then along came digital, my pictures never changed but my old brain struggled a bit! so we are still practicing, its a long road!....Thank you....

[@TheCruisinCrew]

I would suggest shooting both at the same time... film camera bodies are usually very light... might be nice to compare the images later! ;)

[@royhakala7999]

My favorite part of photography is shooting, and shooting with a film camera can be a pleasant, nostalgic experience. Once the film is loaded, camera operation involves twisting the aperture ring and shutter speed dial instead of fussing with all the controls on my digital camera. I compare film shooting to driving a classic car or writing with a fountain pen or similar actives: the process takes priority and the product is simply a bonus.

[@wilfs1196]

In my younger years, I had the fortunate opportunity to work/travel in the Canadian high Arctic, a winter tour & a summer tour. Had to shoot film of course with some sort of little Canon camera ,which I knew zero about. It was a challenge keeping the camera under your winter clothing so the film wouldn't break when you advanced it. Few of the shots were perfect, but the memories are. Got to do most of it via one of two helicopters I was looking after. Fun (back then) outside on the open ice fields. Worked as far north as Eureka on Baffin Island, where, ironically ,the only civilization was the government weather station.

[@josephschimmer302]

I‘ve learned photography in the film days. My impression is, that I still benefit from this experience as far as composing is concerned or the sense of the decisive moment - on the other hand, younger colleagues of mine just crop or spray and pray and get good pictures too. Nevertheless I embrace digital for more than twenty years by now and can’t see myself using film again - except for a Pentax 67 probably…

[@john-wiggains]

I also find a draw to photographing abandoned places! It gets my story brain going like crazy.

[@rosvw3517]

You’re so young! Where do you think many of us learned our swearing vocabulary from back in the ‘60s and on? Getting 12, 24 or 36 prints back and only three were half-decent. You young-uns! Lol. 😉

[@alexnostalgix]

I have been following this channel since the Beach Ball composite you made centuries ago back when film probably was created. Anyways, everytime I come here you always remind me of why I still shoot today because I have never been perfect at my craft but....as long as I can capture the feeling or atmosphere of what's in front of me has always been most important to me. Thanks for the reminder.

[@AliasJimWirth]

I am late in watching this video, but I cannot say how much I wish I could join the workshop next year. Wish I could afford it. You, Nigel and Mads, are three of my favorite photographers; I am subscribed to all of your channels. It would be a dream trip for me to be in the company of you three on any workshop. How wonderful it will be for those who are able to be there. Their memories will be for a lifetime. Cheers, as always.

[@raymondecyrenne5661]

The music track was awesome!

[@4FRodrigo]

I feel I was "rewarded" when I got something amazing using film. Digital is cool, pretty obvious... but a well taken B/W photograph developed in your dark room is priceless. Edit: planning to get my dark room together again by next year.

[@wylie_photo]

I watched a TV show once about when Robert Capa did the D-Day landings. The editor said that they were in such a rush to process his films for the papers they wrecked some rolls in the dryer. The famous images that we see are those that survived the processing, so you have a point about unrepeatable situations!. Best plan is to take digital and film images of the same subject, especially if you are doing those 'industrial landscape' images, you are likely to get the time to shoot with both mediums.

[@ianhallett6174]

Dont miss film one bit, the faff, the worry, the limitations the anticipation.. nope..we went to a wedding recently and disposable fim cameras were given to the kids to get snaps of the day, they ran out of pics in under 10 minutes and were all gutted and didnt quite understand😂

[@ChrisMustermann]

4:44 Killer-shot !

[@aaronlabarre501]

I like the risk of losing the roll. Makes me feel alive.

[@ianparr1533]

Probably wise not to shoot film, I'm pretty sure it would drive you crazy. If you feel that you must have a go - simulate using film by restricting yourself to taking out only a couple of 4Gb cards for your Sony, taping over the rear LCD screen, gluing the PASM dial in manual mode and the body to a (hefty) tripod and voila, you've got 90% of the film landscape shooting experience without any exposure to toxic chemicals. Also, try Roland Huntford's biography of Nansen for insights into what Northern Polar exploration was like for the pioneers.

[@Pepsiphopia]

Tried shooting digital. But it was just spray and pray, no good shots, all on auto. Then I tried film. I slowed down. Started to think about light and composition. For me film saved my photography interrest from dying completely. Now I have a Ricoh GR3x that I love to use. As a companion to my OM-2n or Rolleicord.

[@L.Spencer]

I'm not familiar with those cameras. Do you develop it and print the photos yourself? Film made me think more about getting the settings right. With digital, I don't worry about tilt, correct exposure, etc because I can fix it. I tried fixing a film print that had an older woman's hair "burnt", I spent over 10 hours trying to bring back that highlight. I don't remember my test strip times, but it was minutes. I knew the detail was there because I had scanned the negatives in the computer, to see which photos I wanted to go to the effort of printing. My teacher probably thought I was nuts, spending all that time on that one photo. Other photos, where I had the correct exposure, printed so quickly and easily. Film really does make one learn, as they say in Spanish, a fuerzas!

[@simonpayne7994]

I shot on film for over 10 years. To be more precise - color transparancies with no possibility of scanning in and editing on a PC afterwards. You simply had to get everything exactly right and within the contrast bounds of your film material BEFORE you pressed the shutter.

[@finleycartmell5223]

You cant keep worrying about "what if's", theres no reason for it. Both your SD cards could fail, your camera could break, all your gear could be stolen in transit, or your baggage lost. These things could happen, just like you could screw up a roll of film. However, you develop methods to minimize risk. Making sure your film camera is well maintained and you are familiar and confident with loading, shooting, and unloading film. Ive travelled through dozens of airports with my digital and film set up with dozens of rolls, not one has been a total loss or damaged. Funnily enough though, I have experienced SD card failure, exactly once. Point is that "what if's" do nothing but hold you back. If you prefer digital and film doesnt appeal to you, thats fine. If you can replicate film shots through digital editing, Im extremely impressed and well done. But "oh, film/gear might fail, I wont bother" is a pretty defeatist way to go about things. Film is a lot more robust than you think. Dont forget that film cameras and rolls of film were literally shot into outerspace, landed on the moon, took thousands of shots, and returned to earth completely fine.

[@davidmantripp]

I hiked around the Tasiilaq area of East Greenland for 3 weeks in Autumn 1999. Spent time in several villages, even went out in a small boat for an unbelievable humpback whale encounter. Took about 30 rolls of film. I managed to rescue about 15 frames - my Canon A1 drastically overexposed everything, which for slide film was Game Over. Back home, after seeing the results, I checked the camera's metering. It was fine. I then had a thought - I put the camera in the fridge, around 5C, and rechecked a few hours later - drastic overexposure. Seems the battery type I was using delivered the rated voltage down to 10C, then it was Russian roulette. I've been back to Greenland, but never in quite such idyllic conditions. Of course, it was operator error, and in hindsight, with a lot more experience, I'd use some method to crosscheck the camera's metering. Or, better, use a digital camera :-)

[@noblast1967]

Back in the before times, I shot 2 rolls of 35mm at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics 2002...both were destroyed during processing while someone was "learning" the developing machine. A one time event for myself, that I could never duplicate. Needless to say, I love digital, but I still have a few 35mm setting on my shelves. Excellent video.

[@theoderzweite8272]

I lost the memories of a very nice tour, because I had forgotten to put the film in ma camera........

[@davidmill7289]

I really enjoy using old film lenses on my Oly EM5 iii and Sony a6500. A great way to slow down compositions and get an “older” look & feel.

[@brunojosefsen5791]

The trio Nigel, Mads Peter and James ✌big fan of you. You should going to Southgreenland too some day. 🙌

[@roblloyd1879]

Grew up with film, only recently sold most of my film cameras, still kept a couple. Definitely a digital convert, so fast and versatile. I can take pictures in places the fastest and grainiest film wouldn't even register an image.

[@hidekigomi]

Gorgeous episode, as always! I want to try films BUT it seems that many photographers, at least the ones I follow, do the same move; Canon/Nikon DSLR --> Canon Mirrorless --> (Fuji) --> Sony --> Film --> Sony, I've been forcing myself to stay with Fuji, just because "I want to be different" !

[@RileyJohnson37]

I even went Nikon + Sony Mirrorless (size benefits before Nikon went Mirrorless) > Nikon Mirrorless + Fuji Mirrorless, then - Fuji Mirrorless (just didn't like the quality after shooting my D810, Z7II, and even Z FC(?)) and have added my aunts hand me down Canon Film with EF Lenses, my own F Mount Nikon F5 with old F Mount lenses, and my grandfathers Canon A1 with FD Lenses. I still gravitate to the Nikon gear and images.

[@johnc2438]

05:30: Film photography! Yes, you're so right -- the analog era! I went to Jordan for a summer project way back in 1977. I had 40 rolls of slide film with me, and all through the summer, I worried about the film stock itself. Would the heat destroy my film? Would the images suffer because I had to delay developing them while in the field? Were my images over- or under-exposed in the harsh sunlight in southern Jordan, where I was studying and working? Were the film speeds -- those "constant" ASAs -- I had sufficient for various lighting situations I was encountering? Were my cameras even working properly? Did I even bring enough film rolls with me? I had no way of answering these and many other nagging questions until I returned to the U.S. and had all rolls processed. I remember all the endless hours back home in the dungeon of the darkroom, processing black and white and color images -- and then spending more endless nights making prints. Digital photography has changed all that -- and more! I would not go back. 😁

[@theoderzweite8272]

A great video with fantastic pictures.... For me is photgraphing with film nostalgic. I had still my OM-2 and also my former Rollei 35. But I see no sense in it to repeat former times. For me is this discussion the same as in audio: Analog or digital... I do like the digital clearness - here and there. For me you are on the right way, that the emotions in our art is the main thing: in music, and in photographing... Which emotions can be felt by taking the shot and which emotions can people get when seeing our images. That's it.

[@Ash1955]

I did film for many years from back in 1971 on and never want to go back to it! For the film look I adapt vintage lenses to fit my Sony A7R3. Good fun and cheap. Maybe that would make your Sony fun as well James 🤔

[@MrConna6]

Like you say, there are so many ways it can go wrong, and it can be anxiety inducing. But it is soo much more satisfying. I started on digital but over the last five years I have transitioned entirely to film

[@chasescooper]

I’ve played around with bringing my film camera as a b camera, and can pull it out when I want to use it but still have flexibility of digital.

[@sushiboots]

As someone who has tried to replicate the look of film with my digital photography and videograhy for about 15 years, I would have to say that it is now possible with a plug-in called Dehancer. I've tried many different programs, software, luts, plug-ins, etc. This is the first one where i cannot tell what format the material was shot on. This really makes shooting on film completely obsolete. I have a couple of rolls I'm going to finish and im never looking back again.

[@Max_Mustermann]

Personally I'm really glad I was/am able to shoot film while it's still available and I feel it really helped me improve my photography skills. Probably because it encourages a more deliberate approach instead of taking lots of photographs and hoping for the best. Plus for people who can't or don't want to invest lots of money into cameras, high quality film SLRs with big and bright viewfinders can usually be found a lot cheaper than a comparable digital camera.

[@dkaigorodov]

Love your video, it creates the atmospher.

[@SanTM]

I'm a film photographer as a hobby. I obviously take more phones with my phone, which I think will take better photos than a DSLR due the crazy amount of processes and AI editing it can do. Agree with the feeling part of the photos. I think framing is important moreso than have I got the exact exposure, whether it's completely straight being chaotic or whatnot. My favourite photos I've taken are ones where the characters in the scene convey emotions moreso than the technical aspects of it

[@SuperNicktendo]

I bought a small point and shoot film camera that I can keep in my pocket and shoot from time to time. Over a year I'll have a roll of a film with pictures that I might have forgotten about. I didn't go for a super nice slr because I have a a7siii for that. I also have some older digital cameras that fit the old aesthetic including a DV film camera

[@jamesmlodynia8757]

For many years I used a film camer, this was my early teens to my late fourties,For 16 years I have been using different digital cameras, so after experiencing both, I prefer to use digital cameras. When I used film you could find it most anywhere, not so today. I did not process my film, I have no driving urge to set up a darkroom, spend money on scanning equipment and spend the time learning how to use it all. I have all my DSLR cameras that I purchased from my early days of digital photography along with a bunch of mirrorless cameras that include the Fujifilm XH2, XT5 and Xt3 also the Nikon ZF that give me a film camera experience. I like editing my files and prints on my Canon pro 200 printer, in the rare occasions I need a large print I can order them on line. As we moved from DSLR to mirrorless cameras the cameras became more computer like and the photos became less film like. I find the older Pentax cameras with CCD Sensor gave me a more film like look and because the frames per second were only 3 it was close to the speed of a film camera with a power winder, but today most photographers can't live with a slow camera. So for me using a film camera is like driving an old car without power steering.

[@liyonsmith8284]

The film trend annoys me a lot of the time, but there's a couple of things I've heard people say that at least help me appreciate it. One is that the pace and intention of a film roll if you're using it casually (pro film work still seems pretentious to me) can be much more satisfying and meaningful. The other is that it is getting people focused more on feeling and story while ignoring accuracy and realism. I'd argue that consumers have wanted this the whole time, but because it's an entire category of photography we're getting to experience that more clearly

[@nineephe]

Yeah, I can understand this. Pro film work is not something I understand also. And I don't think that you have to shoot film, but I think everyone should try it once if they have a chance. For this don't shoot something important, go out, explore and experiment. I think it helps with creativity that you have to be deliberate as you only have so many exposures

[@seanmobley2610]

Why does other people choosing to shoot film instead of digital annoy you? How does it impact you in any way?

[@liyonsmith8284]

@@seanmobley2610 That did sound petty huh. I work in a camera store, so it does impact me to some extent. It's a mild annoyance, often more like frustration at it being outside of my comfort zone. There are also some folks that are getting into it only because it's trendy and that can be annoying when they want all the conveniences of digital. They're not actually appreciating film either, they're going off someone else's story. And like I said, there's aspects of film they want, but I'd much rather help set folks up with something they'll actually enjoy, ya know?

[@althejazzman]

I too have anxiety about using film and missing a mistake that I might have noticed on digital. But the main reason I sometimes use film is to make me think about the composition more as each shot is precious, finite, and costly!

[@PlzReviveMeBro]

I’ve definitely tried to force myself to use film, even when I find it to be a hassle, just because of the current hype around it. It’s one of those things where I would have to 100% commit to just shooting film to comfortably do it, which I’m not doing anytime soon.

[@finleycartmell5223]

Why? I shoot digital and film together all the time, its not difficult

[@PlzReviveMeBro]

Don’t like carrying multiple cameras/doesn’t fit into my work flow. If I’m hiking (landscapes, macro, wildlife) I carry my G9, if I’m out and about I carry my Ricoh, doing portraits or astrophotography I use my a7rii.

[@bsmukler]

You CAN shoot with two types of film, and assuage fears of losing images, by simply carrying two bodies loaded with different film stocks, as well of course as two different lenses. Or, you can copy Thomas Heston and carry both a digital setup as well as a film body. Realistically, there is very little chance of actually losing a full roll’s worth of images, and, in all the years I traveled with film gear, I never had an issue with x-ray inspection (I usually asked for a hand check instead, anyway). Of course, there is no reason to feel compelled to try film. It is just a fun experience if you do so.

[@johnhoward2331]

Thank you for another great video. Have you ever been to Orford Ness in Suffolk? There are some great abandoned MOD test buildings on the National Trust site.

[@ceaabe]

With film you have to know exactly what you do right in place. Of course that's a massive issue for nowadays photographers which are used to take 15.000 photos a day of which 3 are good. Probably with film there was the exact result, but with less trying. Because I started with the first usable digital cameras, this was also my way for years. But today I appreciate the process of taking a good photo and enjoy my time in nature otherwise.

[@ceaabe]

@@Daedalus_Flight I‘ve never used a darkroom myself.