I was born in the 90’s, and I remember my parents sending me off on every field trip with a disposable camera. Since then I had grown with the times and took on digital photography. The convenience of the digital platform having results instantly, and images coming out crisp and sharp with little effort made photography fun. I enjoyed the technicalities of long exposures, and capturing candid moments of friends and family. But I felt myself craving for inspiration, for something to really ignite a spark. That’s when I accidentally discovered that film photography is still a thing, or coming back.
It was a rabbit hole I willingly fell into. I researched 35mm film cameras and their pricing. I was browsing youtube for hours for tips on how to get started and where to develop film. The aesthetic, vibe, and look of film captured me. The community of film photographers was welcoming, and I was eager to be a part of it. Discussions about composition, although it was nothing different from digital photography, resonated with a deeper part of my creativity and understanding.
I remember taking hold of the Canon AE-1, highly recommended for those just starting out in 35mm. It was a deal I bought off of a Facebook Buy, Sell, Trade page. It felt hardy, the build felt durable, and the condition was impeccable. I was so excited to start shooting through my first roll. Out of habit, every time I would take a shot, I would look down expecting to see the image on a LCD screen. The anticipation and wander of the results made me giddy. As I completed my first roll and loaded my second I was hooked. I barely started the process and I was obsessed.
I plan on dipping my toes more into black and white formats, and experimenting with different types of film. I am very carefully and slowly growing my film and film camera collection. I would like to one day develop my own rolls of film and really take the process, start-to-finish, completely on my own. Film ignited in me a whole new inspiration, and although I am not fully giving up digital photography, I am fired up more now than ever to shoot more photos.
Hi Moments 