My Best Tips & Advice for Beginner Film Photographers

[@MakersTeleMark]

I've been shooting for a long time (30+ years) and the biggest thing that improved my photography was to take each shot seriously. Sure, you can get a banger here or there if you spray, but that gets really demoralizing and expensive. It's so much more rewarding to have serious intent about the every detail possible. It's like when you go to develop a roll and you are really psyched about that one shot that you just have to see. I try to make every shot like that. Doesn't ever happen, but it completely changed my philosophy.

[@wesleydavispaul]

I think this is a great mentality to have. Digital cameras have altered the process mentally when you have the ability to take multiple photos and then sort through them later. With the film being a tangible product having only a finite number of shots per roll it helps me to think the same way as you described. Not to mention the added factor of soaring film prices. Thank you for sharing your experience and thought process!

[@thomaspinder1596]

I'm quite new to photography, I started last year with digital, on my first roll of film now, and I wanted it with that mindset because I find the photography process really enjoyable and film brings so many more levels to it

[@jacquesgude]

This is the way!

[@RobbieMaynardCreates]

Those early clips are such a throwback. Feels like we grew up together. Congrats on (nearly) 5 years.

[@clarhettcoalfield3616]

Yeah thanks to you and Kyle I bought my first 4x5 camera on eBay last night....lol

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you, Robbie! Time flys! Always fun to look back on older stuff and see how awkward I was, haha!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Nice! Enjoy! 🙌 It's a process, and patience is key. But I'm sure you'll have fun with it.

[@NickDevlinPhoto]

One of the most thoughtful pieces on the creative process from a true, mature artist. Thank you.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you, Nick.

[@samue1991]

My past year and a half in film photography has been such a positive in my life, I've loved your channel since then and learned a lot! Your content has always been very accessible and entertaining

[@KyleMcDougall]

I'm happy to hear that, Sam. Thanks for watching!

[@mjmdiver1137]

Hahaha... you are so right on these things. You don't even know how much you have forgotton about shooting film until you try it again and discover you have to re-learn the things that you just intuitively did back then. This is in part why I wanted to shoot film again. It's more challenging in many ways and since photography for me is not really a business enterprise, I can make my life a little harder to give me more satisfaction on a job well done.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Definitely easy to underestimate how much you can forget over the years! The process of re-learning is a fun one though.

[@mjmdiver1137]

@@KyleMcDougall Yes, absolutely... Thankfully, since I'm not shooting for pt/pd directly anymore, I don't have to go through all the film testing that I did to get a good handle on the contrast needed for printing pt/pd... I do that all through digital negatives, which are far, far, more reliable and can nail the contrast and build into the negative dodgeing and burning.

[@thekentmk]

I just started shooting film about 2 months ago, well photography in general. Thank you for this video. Really gives a lot of insights that I may have missed and helps a lot in my process of learning more about film photography.

[@adamwelch1866]

Thanks for the content! Reflecting on my five years of YT photography consumption, i think your channel is one that has inspired me the most. When i first saw your work, I didn’t get it, but now i think my images look a lot like yours. Your best point here was to trust the process, i have to keep reminding myself of that. a lot

[@KyleMcDougall]

I really appreciate that, Adam! Thanks for watching over the years 🙏

[@joaquimmalatodesousa9527]

Have a very fruitful new 2023. Enjoy life and photography. All the best! Cheers from Portugal.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you!

[@crlclssic]

I don't know if I have but I feel like I've been with you from the start. Absolutely love your videos man, I go back and re watch them just for fun, just like this one right now. Never stop

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks for the support over the years!

[@carbonejack]

Your advice is always useful and relevant. I appreciate your approach to photography. Always enjoy your videos.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you, Jack!

[@bitsofstarstuff]

I appreciate your video, Kyle. I am looking forward to watching more episodes to learn about film photography and be inspired. I like your style and your love for the medium. Thank you for sharing.

[@mnltphts]

Just got my Minolta X-700 and your tips are super helpful. I’ll definitely apply these to improve my shots. Thanks for sharing!

[@healthid]

Thank you for a consistently interesting and informative channel - and the great advice.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Michael!

[@yviegotit24]

Thank you so much for making this video and sharing this important advice! I just began experimenting with film as a novice photographer and I love it. Finding my Minolta x-370 in a vintage shop and later finding out that it actually worked catapulted my interest even more to take photos on film rather than digital. I now have a Yashica Electro 35 GSN and was just gifted an Olympus OM-1 from my Dad. I've only used Kodak Ultramax 400 film so far but I'm excited to get into others.

[@ahsanabbasphotography]

Words of wisdom for any budding film photographer! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge Kyle!

[@KyleMcDougall]

🙌 Thank you!

[@oliverwade]

Cheers man! Just starting out with film photography on KZbin myself and this was endlessly helpful.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Great to hear!

[@four19photo]

Thanks for making this, Kyle. Very helpful to me as someone who is returning to film after nearly 3 decades.

[@waynesimon7096]

Thank you Kyle for the last five years. Happy New Year to you and yours from Nova Scotia, Canada...

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you, Wayne! Happy new year!

[@NickSmithPhoto]

And here's to another year. It's gone by so quick, I forgot how long I'd been uploading videos also. Happy new year Kyle.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Nick! Definitely goes by quick. Happy new year to you as well.

[@jaypage8823]

I always look forward to your videos Kyle, they're both informational and entertaining to watch. Best wishes in the new year!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you, Jay!

[@SatanSupimpa]

06:36 Not gonna lie, the first image I prefer the "bad scanned" one. Feels like the kind of analog inspired edit I would try on my pictures.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Yep, just starting is key for anything. It's the best and quickest way to learn. Dive in and figure out things as they come. :)

[@john_murch]

All good points Kyle. I'm a strong believer in point 6, organization. I spend a lot of time organizing my scans and tweaking the files etc. at the beginning so that I have a good archive of master files to refer back to in the future when needed. Everything is cross referenced, both hard and soft copies, even the original shooting notes. Oh and I remember your first video with that Poloroid Land camera. 5 years already...

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, John! Yeah, hard to believe it's been five years. And yeah, organisation is definitely the area that I want to be most consistent with moving forward. I paid the price in the past.

[@janondruska6775]

thank you very much (not only) for this video. I like the content and also how you shoot them. they are just beautiful, a lot of practical information and tips. While shooting my first film on my new Pentax 645N, I'm even more excited. Thanks

[@wesleydavispaul]

Really love this video, you are one of my favorite creators and it's so inspiring to hear the humble truths of messing up and using it as a learning point as this is something I get stuck on in my own work.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Wesley!

[@wesleydavispaul]

@@KyleMcDougall You are very welcome! I also wanted to say that I received your "Field Notes" email recently and it was spot on with a lot of self-doubting that had been holding me back. Thank you for taking the time to express your own experiences.

[@zackpowell1331]

Thank you for sharing! I always learn something new from your “tips” videos! 😎👍🏻

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Zack!

[@wojtekscibor]

all the best on the rest of your film photography journey - always new stuff comes up and there's so much fun on the way :)

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you, Wojtek!

[@MrDeelightful]

Great video. I'm waiting on a Konica C35 EF, and I appreciate the common sense advice especially about sticking to one format. My friends who are into film have all emphasized that learning one camera and figuring out how it responds to the conditions in your pictures is very important at the start. Subscribed and going to watch more of your content

[@kenblair2538]

Great video, Kyle. Yet, I've got photographers like you and several others, that got me back into film. Thank you. Now, 2 years shooting film, it is total fun. Digital camera now takes the back seat. KB

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Ken!

[@jasonzayas5487]

Beautifully said...

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Jason.

[@GraeSkyeStudio]

Super helpful!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@JamieMPhoto]

I definitely agree with accepting problems and technical issues, but I also think it's great because we get this idea that we can like "beat death" with digital. Like we can get every photo, keep every moment, but it's all sand through our hands sometimes. Or we wind up drowning in all the things we try to keep.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Jamie. Yeah, as much as I try and keep my process quite simple for digital, I still find myself taking a few 'safety shots' every time I'm out, which often leads to a lot of images that I do nothing with. Two different mediums, and I enjoy both. :)

[@JamieMPhoto]

@@KyleMcDougall Agreed! We are fortunate to be in this time when we can use each medium at a high level, including in mutually beneficial ways.

[@GraphicMill]

Geez, this makes me want to dust off my early 70’s Bronica Z. The lenses from that camera I actually found an adapter that converted them to a Sony mount! I’ll be honest, it was an emotional moment because the decades I had with that 2-1/4. It worked well and the photos and video clips are gorgeously soft. I love it. My Bronica was used way way way too much and it’s not worth rebuilding. I could buy a better one on eBay. But getting back into film just for fun is still a big commitment. If I think back to all the darkroom stuff and the space for a darkroom, enlarger, timers, trays, chemicals, film cans, drying rack, paper types, plumbing and on the list goes. It would be very cool but I can’t commit fully. And that’s what it truly takes. I’m living vicariously through you and enjoying the old glass on new technology. Thank you for the video! Brought back many great memories. 👍

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Dave! It can be a commitment, and we're all after different things. I'm enjoying the mix of digital and film, and find I bounce between the two often.

[@clarhettcoalfield3616]

Kyle its been a great 5 years, I've always enjoyed watching your videos, the learning experience is wonderful. Now I'm looking forward to getting your book - An American Mile, after ordering it 4 months ago, the anticipation is half the fun. Just so you know, I picked up my first 4x5 camera, but I think its way above my pay grade, but still excited about it. I ordered it on eBay last night from Japan.... Yup a Horseman FA with 2 lenses, a 125mm and a 180mm. Well see how it goes. Thanks as always, and happy new year.

[@KyleMcDougall]

That's awesome to hear! I'm sure you'll enjoy the process. Just give yourself time, and anticipate mistakes. 4x5 is an entirely different animal, but it's extremely satisfying. The Horseman will be a great choice for you. :) And thanks for ordering the book. I'm excited to get it shipping.

[@ldstirling]

Chances are the issues with your Pentax 645 that the person you sold it to had, were completely related to user error. Don't ever make the mistake of underestimating someone's the lack of care or knowledge.

[@LBAW]

Totally true. I got a Mamiya 645 1000s and 80mm lens for about $100 because the seller just thought it was broken. Turns out just the light meter in the prism finder stopped working, but otherwise it worked perfectly.

[@JoeYatesAlaskanFilms]

I just purchased my first film camera - Canon F1-n. I’m almost done with my first roll. I purchased 13 different types of film stocks to test out with expecting to make a lot a lot mistakes along the way. I purchased a 35mm scanner. I’ve been curious about the progress since I started shooting photography. This is going to be fun. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge 🙏🏼

[@mynewcolour]

It’ll be wild. I’m at the opposite end, having casually shot a fair bit of film (random and unusual 35mm stock in various cameras) for a while. I’m shooting b&w in bulk now, processing in Rodinal and scanning at home in order to standardise things. I’m only ten rolls in and it has already helped me use film better.

[@KyleMcDougall]

That's awesome, Joe. When I first got back into film I did the same-ordered a bunch of different film stocks and just had fun with it.

[@kmcsmart]

@@KyleMcDougall I just bought a Contax iia and will be giving Film a go. So much to learn. I bought a nice used Lloyd bulk Film loader and was thinking I should buy 100’ of a cheaper but reliable B&W and experiment with the entire process from shooting, processing negatives and scanning before I move to another film stock. Is that too much Film to begin with? Am I better to get a bunch of different rolls of film? Thanks for your videos. Despite my 20 year gap in shooting film ( which I never processed myself) you’ve brought me back to the dark side.

[@alexander.starbuck]

Terrific, as always! Great tips, I wish this video had existed (and that I had watched it) a couple of times, before I started my journey. Also, very fun watch, this... I recognized all (well, almost all) B-roll shots and stills from other videos. It felt like one of my "watch runs" of Northern Exposure or Seinfeld where I already know every shot 😄. Kudos for including your "mistake" with low-res scanning. This helps beginners not feel as bad, when they see someone who is very far down the road, also make some mistakes and learn that way.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Alexander! Always fun to look back on this older stuff. And yeah, all about sharing the mistakes, they're the reality of the process, and should be talked about as much as the wins, imo. :)

[@Shaka1277]

This was a really good video that covers all the bases, thanks Kyle! I especially agree with you when it comes to home scanning. If space allows and you're willing to put the effort in, the benefit of that extra control is immense and the cost savings mean that even "just" a V500 or V600 can pay for itself in 12 or so rolls depending on where you are in the world. As for learning a film stock, I couldn't agree more. I've been shooting a lot of Cinestill 50D and Vision3 250D in the last few months and each roll has come out a little better than the last, and I'm noticing it's easier and easier to process the negatives in a way that suits them.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Definitely worth the time to dial in a process, either with film, scanning, etc. So nice to be able to anticipate how something is going to perform/react in certain situations!

[@alexgimagery]

Cool tips and lessons from your personal successes and failures. I've had a lot of fun over the last almost 3 years of picking up film. I still predominantly shoot on digital, but love the challenge of metering on film and oddly enough even the anxiety of finding out the results.

[@KyleMcDougall]

I enjoy the anticipation as well. Always cool to have a bit of a disconnect from the images for a couple days, rather than loading them up on the computer instantly.

[@mircomsn]

Hey, would it be possible for you to make a video about how you'd pick a camera? You make it here your second point (the 1st technical one, let's say) and I think it'd be great to have your insights on how to pick the right format - only differences I see between them is costs, portability, and ease of use, but I might be even wrong! Thanks a lot for considering it!

[@sputumtube]

Everything you say is spot on, if you develop and print your own. However, a great many of us rely on labs and a lot of those will only process C41 and a few will not process anything other than 35mm. This means, of course, that our choices of camera/film are limited by these restrictions.

[@jackyjeans]

Hi Kyle, I think you should make a video of your film camera collection, I wonder about your film cameras footage

[@KyleMcDougall]

I do have a video coming out about my film camera gear, if that's what you're referring to. Or are you talking about the video stuff?

[@Dylanwade_]

Such great information. Lately I’ve been having so much self doubt as I am trying to use my RB more. I cycle too many cameras I don’t spend time mastering one. I have to keep reminding myself this is new for me. This is different. I’m not seasoned with reverse image OR waist level finders, and I need to give it time. I also am pretty new to developing and share my space with a long hair cat. That makes dust and hair a challenge. Scanning is new I’m much better than when I started but still have a long way to go. Patience patience patience. Looking forward to the work you make in The new year. Cheers.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Patience is key! Cheers, Dylan. Happy new year.

[@paradisobaby]

The warm tones of portrait 400 😂 That one cracked me up

[@KyleMcDougall]

😁

[@igormalecki4672]

Heya, what causes the red effect at 11:55 cause although I know you said that it's because of gear I personally find it really beautiful and I'm wondering what caused it

[@AustenGoldsmithPhotography]

Great video as always Yes it's all about the joy and challenges of the process but if your not diving fully into the rabbit hole and developing your own films your still disconnected from the experience that is out there ,to be had , when I load a roll of hp5 or delta I'm pushing , pulling reading the scene and while I look through the glass or rewinding the film I'm thinking what development I will use as it's just as significant as what filter or what ISO I'm metering at Ansel Adams would not have been sending his films to a lab to develop had he had the option as he knew that the development was all part of the pre visualisation process And it's sooooo much cheaper too ! 😊 that's also why my colour films are gathering dust

[@KyleMcDougall]

Yes, if you’re able to develop at home it’s definitely a worthwhile endeavour. It is nice to have complete control of the process from start to finish.

[@ataboyboyboy8895]

Great advices. I always buy my cameras from a trusted retailer who tested the equipment and gives 3-6 months guarantee giving me. piece of mind. It can be a bit more expensive but you buy with confidence that it works straight out of the packaging. Now to go out and experiment with my canon t90. 😃

[@mariadaniele1104]

can i ask where you typically buy your cameras from

[@lighturpl3]

Haha, bronica with no crank handle, I’m in that boat.

[@mynewcolour]

Shapeways maybe has a file?

[@KyleMcDougall]

😁

[@doptimist]

As you shoot Fuji digital and use Adobe products, any thoughts on the worming effect that combination creates? As you tend towards the film look I thought maybe it might not bother you as it really only impacts fine detail. Love your videos, thanks!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Hey Patrick, it's not something that I've noticed tbh. I've heard some people say that it's not an issue anymore with LR and Fuji.

[@royayersrules]

I have three of those Land cameras with flashes. It hurts I can't get film or can't afford the film. Peel apart produced the best instants in my opinion.

[@jeffp0rn]

What would you recommend as a good entry level light meter? Also, have you tried any of the light meter apps you can use with your phone? If so any recommendations there? Thank you.

[@c.augustin]

Good points! But I think people should just start without much worry, while being aware that things will go wrong in different ways. From there they should incorporate everything you've talked about. Even though I started photography decades ago with film and by then halfway new gear, I had every issue you've talked about (not scanning, though ;-)).

[@KyleMcDougall]

Yep, the best thing you can do (not just with film photography) is just start. Best and quickest way to learn. Dive in and figure out things as they pop up.

[@berndvandecruys]

Impeccable timing. I just posted my video about the first time using a Leica M6 and the 4 rolls that came out of it. I too have the urge to try out 6x7 and the different systems. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@KyleMcDougall]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@danizsoltlaszlo8355]

Hi what camera did you take the first photo in this video?

[@KyleMcDougall]

Polaroid Land Camera.

[@danizsoltlaszlo8355]

@@KyleMcDougall thanks again

[@do_fall]

Hi Kyle it's me blake

[@do_fall]

Hi kyle

[@KyleMcDougall]

Hey Blake!