How I Started Film Photography
My Journey with Film Photography
How it made me appreciate Photography
When I first picked up a camera, I never imagined film photography would play a role in my creative journey. It all started in New York City, where I would wander the streets with my Fujifilm Xpro 2, capturing black-and-white images. I was drawn to the simplicity of it, the focus was purely on light and shadow, moments unfolding in real time. Little did I know, that a chance encounter on the subway would change everything.
One day, while riding the metro, I noticed someone with a camera that stood out an older model, that reminded me of my own. My curiosity got the best of me. I followed them off the train and asked, “What kind of camera is that?” To my surprise, they told me it was a Leica M. I had no idea back then that film photography was still alive and well, let alone that this camera system had a loyal following in New York City. Intrigued, I mentioned it to a friend, and he immediately lit up. It turned out he owned a Leica M3, and when I asked to see it, he handed it over saying “You’ll probably miss every shot.” That challenge sparked something in me. I took the camera out for the day, eager to see what all the fuss was about.
Shooting with a fully mechanical rangefinder was an eye-opener. Up until then, I had only used digital cameras, where everything was automatic and fast. This was different, slower, more deliberate. It took me all day to shoot my first roll of color film, which was already a big shift for me. I had always found color distracting & ugly, I preferred the simplicity of black and white. But when I developed that roll and saw the soft rich hues of Kodak Color Film, I was hooked. Even though most of my shots were out of focus, it didn’t matter. The experience itself had captured me.
That day sent me down a rabbit hole into the world of film photography. I dove headfirst into experimenting with different film stocks, discovering the unique characteristics each one brought to my images. I learned how to develop my film at home, watching the photos come to life in the darkroom. Scanning my negatives became another creative outlet, allowing me to share my work in the digital realm while maintaining the authenticity of the film. Months turned into years, and throughout that time, I explored various film cameras, each with its own charm and personality. My primary camera during those years was a Leica M3, the same model my friend had lent me that first day. I quickly fell in love with its mechanical simplicity and the way it forced me to engage more deeply with my surroundings. But my journey didn’t stop there. I experimented with a Hasselblad, captivated by its medium format quality and square compositions. I also picked up multiple Rolleiflexes, enjoying the unique perspective they offered with their twin-lens design. The Mamiya RZ67 became a favorite for portrait sessions, and the Pentax 67 provided stunning depth of field and detail. If it was a high-end film camera, chances are I owned it at some point, each one adding to my understanding of the medium.
I photographed everything from people to everyday mundane moments in the city & suburbs. Suddenly, I saw the world in color, in a way I never had before. I became more aware of how light interacted with colors at different times of the day and how different film stocks could completely change the mood of a scene. Film photography didn’t just change how I created photos, it transformed how I saw the world. I started to notice the small details that often went unnoticed, learning to be present as I looked at a scene. I could see moments unraveling right in front of me more so than I did before. To this day, I continue to take the lessons I learned from film photography and apply them to both my everyday life and my approach to photography.
For six to seven years, film was my medium of choice, shaping my perspective and fueling my passion. But as some of you may have noticed, I’ve gradually moved away from it. Why? That’s a story for another time.
