Why I'm Shooting Film in 2022

[@jimjimgl3]

It is really just about your means to your end. I am a self-taught commercial photographer (was a director of photographer for publications prior to quitting to pursue freelance over 20 years ago). Right before I began to use digital--because of market demands, not esthetic choices, I shot 4x5 and RZ67 on travel jobs I was hired to do at the time and studio work. But digital arrived and one by one clients just did not want to deal with film. I was extremely resistant to switching to digital. I loved film and the process, like you, and couldn't imagine getting that same reaction/feeling from digital. Back I guess in 2004 I hired a young first assistant...19 years old from LA...who just couldn't comprehend my love for film. He kept badgering me to try digital. On this one long trip from job to job I caved and rented a Canon digital camera. I remember clearly walking outside my hotel room at dusk, aiming the camera (for the first time) at some palm fronds and looking at the small screen on the back of the camera. I was in awe by the ease of the process. I honestly never looked back (for commercial jobs). Never, in all the many jobs I've done over the last 20 years have I heard a client ask for film. I now shoot film for my self occasionally and it really is just such a different animal from digital. So beautiful and of course the 6x7 medium format gives such a nice crisp feeling to the area of focus and a beautiful roll-off into blur. Great explanation of your own attachment to the medium of film.

[@HamiltonWard]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I started off in digital and found my way to film but I can't really imagine what it must have been like, starting in film and then switching over to digital for client based work. It almost seems like a reversal because I know some commercial photographers whose clients are now requesting film instead of digital. Hopefully there will always be a place for film in a digital world. There really is just something otherworldly about 4x5 film especially. I always find my way back to 4x5 and have always been so pleased with the images that I'm able to get. Thanks again for watching and for your comment!

[@ChakainHD]

There’s something so tangible about real film quality man. Amazing points in this video

[@HamiltonWard]

Thanks man! It’s definitely been romanticized but there is just something about it.

[@behindeachfilmgrain]

Growing up around film and not appreciating it until my adult years and having money to buy and trying out different cameras and formats made me appreciate what we still have compared to the digital cameras that just don’t have the history and design elements that analog cameras have. Great ‘testimony’ Hamilton! Keep the journey alive and I’ll keep supporting your vision!

[@HamiltonWard]

Thank you so much for the kind comment, I can’t tell you what that means to me and I couldn’t agree more. The history is another huge factor as well as the overall design of the older cameras. They just feel so good in the hands!

[@behindeachfilmgrain]

@@HamiltonWard Totally agree more with you Hamilton… I shoot medium format more than I do 35mm only because of the BOKEHLIOUS results I get from medium format cameras. You should try it if you haven’t already done so my friend.

[@dougsmalley2072]

Well said. I agree with all your points, especially the "it's fun" part, though blank frames coming out of the tank are less awesome.

[@HamiltonWard]

Thank you! And yes, those blank frames sting but it’s just a painful lesson learned 😭

Totally agree with you Hamilton. There is something magical about film photography, even if we know how it works. It definitely forces us to slow down, and it improves our art. Very good thoughts.

[@HamiltonWard]

Thank you so much for the comment! Magical is definitely how I would describe it. There’s nothing quite like seeing an image take form on film.

[@henryrogers5500]

Excellent! My sentiments as well. Although, I have a lab develop my 35mm film, and I also get 4”x6” prints, I scan my negatives with my Epson V600 film scanner. I have liked and subscribed.

[@roguesodyssey]

Amen! I'm planning on shooting and developing more film this year as well.

[@HamiltonWard]

Cheers to that. It really is a wonderful thing to do.

[@andyhertig]

Your thoughts speak to me from the soul - great .... Thank you

[@HamiltonWard]

That makes me so happy to hear that. Thank you for the comment!

[@scottplumer3668]

To me, shooting film is like putting paint to canvas, rather than using a stylus and digital tablet. There's a craft to it, along with the art, and I like the craft. A couple years ago, I rigged up a darkroom in my garage and made some prints for the first time since taking a class in the early '90s. Seeing that image appear on paper the first time was so exciting I literally almost peed my pants. It's the closest to magic you can get.

[@HamiltonWard]

Thanks for sharing this, I couldn't agree more.

[@HasheemHalim]

there seems to be a strong connection with limitation and good design in many fields. Constraints force you to go head first into things and learn your lessons deeper. Great vid

[@HamiltonWard]

Thank you so much for the comment! I think you’re absolutely right, it’s those constraints which spark creativity and help drive a deeper understanding of the medium.

[@muzmix123]

I, m in complete agreement with this. Nice one Hamilton 📸🎞️😎

[@HamiltonWard]

Thank you so much :)

[@kylewood8327]

I still shoot film, drive a stick, and cc a SA cowboy gun! And feel right at home about it…

[@TyroneEasleyII]

Although I agree with the look and feel of film photography, I think this translates to ALL photography. I also love the look of digital it’s sharpness, range of iso, and ease of use. I’m glad you touch on digital and the fact that we are all photographers either digital or film.

[@HamiltonWard]

For sure, it's all about what you'd like to get from the images that you're taking and what tool is going to be best for the shoot that you're doing. I really hate the competitiveness between the two, we're all out here just trying to take the best images that we can with what we have to work with. Thanks for watching and the comment!

[@mercury2ster]

Just discovered your channel. Some great points. I keep trying to want to shoot digital but can’t get over the look, and feel of shooting film. I also love the history of mechanical film camera’s. Digital is so much better in many ways, but for me film is where my heart is.

[@HamiltonWard]

Welcome to the channel! In my opinion there’s really no reason to not shoot both. You don’t need to pick one over the other. I lean heavily towards film but sometimes it just makes more sense to shoot digital. At the end of the day, these are just tools and you need to pick the right tool for the job. Film is definitely where my heart is too and it’s one of the reasons I’ll pick up one of my film cameras over my digital most days.

[@mercury2ster]

@@HamiltonWard couldn’t agree more! Already looking forward to more of your videos!

[@tobybombero]

Another awesome video! If and when I move into a house that can accommodate a little dark room, I would love to try my hand at film photography

[@HamiltonWard]

I would love to help with that, just let me know!

[@anthonymiller8979]

That physical aspect of using film has a historical aspect as well. When you see vintage tintypes, ambrotypes and even the negatives you yourself shot in college, they were actually in the presence of the subject when exposed. They are a small piece of your history and your subject's history. They negative of your grandfather, or father was there that day with you, your camera and him. Digital images are great historical reminders as well but don't have that presence.

[@HamiltonWard]

I absolutely love this!

[@anthonydavis4829]

How old are Nikon FM2 and Olympus OM 1 cameras? What digital camera is going to be used at that age?

[@HamiltonWard]

Olympus OM-1 first hit the market in the 70's so digital wouldn't have been an issue back then at all.

[@markgoostree6334]

If you (we) don't have a darkroom its still digital because the negative is digitized and then printed just like with a digital camera.... isn't it? I also still shoot film very often... I just like to do that style of photography.

[@HamiltonWard]

That's the question right? Just how film is film when it's digitized in that way? For me, it still holds the qualities of film that I look for even when it's run through that digital process. It's captured on that film emulsion. It makes you think, or at least makes me think.

[@gurugamer8632]

If you scan film it’s same as shooting with digital camera?

[@HamiltonWard]

No because you’re scanning the film and not photographing with a sensor. You’re able to still tell the difference between an imagine that has been shot with film and one that is completely digital. You’re also getting some beautiful depth and tonal quality, especially with large format.

[@gurugamer8632]

@@HamiltonWard But in 2022 cameras like Leica M11 or Fuji Medium Format give better image than film?

[@HamiltonWard]

@@gurugamer8632 at the end of the day it’s all about preference. What do you want your image to look like and what is the best tool to make that image happen. One isn’t better than the other, it just what you prefer. I shoot mainly film but I’ll still shoot digital :)

[@gurugamer8632]

@@HamiltonWard I’m interested in film. Film here in London roll cost £12. Processing by a good lab costs about £30 roll !! Then I have to scan the negatives.

[@HamiltonWard]

@@gurugamer8632 it can be pricey at labs but they will also scan film for you if you don’t want to scan yourself. Try a roll and see what you think

[@christianglasner8295]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@NGameReviews]

The whole 'digital vs. film' snobbery thing is amusing to me. Because there's no doubt that there's a ton of crap photography that was taken on a Leica M6. And a lot of great shots on a Canon rebel. And vice versa. So to me, at the end of the day it doesn't matter what the final image was created with. Most people on Insta won't know what the shot was taken on either. Or on Facebook. Or DPReview. And no one cares.

[@bajlazs]

audio gain is horribly low .

[@HamiltonWard]

Appreciate the feedback, thank you!