Why would anyone shoot film in the age of digital! It can cost a ton of money, you can't check your shots to see if they're in focus, and where do you even find the stuff! I myself switched to digital 11 years ago after I got back from Europe and didn't like the fact my 50 rolls of film I shot took up half my bag. Recently i've returned to film and boy has it been fun!
I think it's safe to say a large majority of photographers on social media platforms centered around photography grew up not using film. Just because film has taken a back seat to digital doesn't mean that it's not relevant. Here are my 5 reasons you should give film a shot!
1. Film helps you slow down and think before you shoot. When I transitioned to digital I found myself taking more photos than ever and at the same time I was continuously upgrading my hard drive to store them all. I think it's pretty fun to head out with a roll of 36 exposures and challenge myself to make sure each shot counts. Oddly enough I've noticed my percentage of keepers with film has been higher than with digital.
2. Many professional film cameras are actually better than digital cameras on the market. In the age of megapixels and sensors the real truth is film can be scanned and files are comparable or even larger than many digital cameras we shoot with.
3. Film cameras can be dirt cheap and most of them can take a beating and keep on ticking! Imagine picking up a super high end 35mm or medium format camera for a fraction of the price of a comparable digital camera. Many of the latest models of film cameras were barely used as professional photographers transitioned to digital.
4. There is a huge lens selection that you never considered! For all of those looking for amazing glass and low apertures at a price that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, should look at film cameras. Sure you can buy adapters and use older lenses on your digital camera, but what's the fun in that!
5. Film just looks amazing! Sure you can buy VSCO preset packages and try to replicate the look of film with your digital images, but it'll never look the same. Digital camera sensors just can't replicate the colors seen in film. Plus the dynamic range of film can still blow the socks off most basic digital cameras!
There we have it! Film is fun, rewarding, and can possibly help you become a better photographer. Plus when the zombie apocalypse happens you can still hide in a ventelated basement and develop your negatives and make some prints...of zombies!