These days, digital cameras are more advanced than ever. Devices small enough to fit in our pockets have the capability to snap high-quality photos with the tap of a finger! So why choose film?
Here's 3 quick reasons that don't require any photography expertise to understand:
1. Film resists finding "perfection" in its subject.
Film is a bit intimidating in the sense that you don't get an unlimited number of shots, nor do you get to see the results to adjust as you go along. This may be especially difficult for some people, considering that most of us take dozens of versions of the same photo, spending way too long agonizing over how to get it "perfect". Film gives you permission to let go of expectations and live presently during the shoot. It also forces the photographer to slow down and focus, rather than snapping a million shots and hoping that one works. Combined, this makes for a much more mindful, intentional experience for everyone involved. And most importantly, the results will show you as you authentically are, not an image of yourself cultivated specifically for others to look at.
2. Film captures much more than an image.
Film provides an experience completely unlike that of a digital photography session, with equally unique results. In many ways, the technical quality of film is actually just as good (and often even better) than digital, considering that film picks up an impressive range of subtle colors, tones, and textures. Many people also find that photos shot on film contain a hard-to-describe nostalgic, romantic, or dreamy feeling, making them stand out in the sea of heavily-manufactured digital images we all drown in on the daily. Many digital photographers use film-inspired filters and presets to replicate this essence, but nothing compares to the magic of actual film. As photographer Alfred Stieglitz famously said, "In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality."
3. Film never goes out of style.
Imagine for a moment the typical wedding or graduation photos from 2012. So much more has changed than simply our clothes or hairstyles -- the photos themselves often look a bit lacking or lifeless compared to the photos we see today. Although photos taken digitally appear to be high quality at the time they're taken, they will always seem dated as time goes by and digital photography evolves. Partially contributing to this is the flatness of a digital image, which many photographers must fix with heavy editing and filters, which themselves go in and out of style. I wonder if in a few years wedding photographers are going to regret washing out all of their photos and replacing the colors with yellow-orange and brownish-green? It's hard to tell. But one thing's for sure: shooting film gives your photos a timeless and rich quality with very little editing involved. Just think about how well the images in your parents' photo albums have held up!
Conclusion
I don't want to sound naïve and assert that film is better than digital overall. There is definitely a sense of convenience and flexibility with digital photography that makes it easier to work with than film. For one, you can see the image right away, which allows you to fix anything you don't like. (Personally, I like the anticipation that builds between the moment a photo is taken and the moment you finally get to view it.) But you would be missing out to go through life without ever seeing yourself through the eyes of a film camera!
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Written by Macin Sheeder
Photos by David Suh & Macin Sheeder