Film’s Reemergence

Film photography was a booming form of expression in the 20th century. Film photography was used for family photos, journalism, and even in artistic settings. At the turn of the century, photography turned to digital as you paid a big amount of money upfront. Yet every photo from then on only took space off your memory card, making it cost-efficient. While film cameras are inexpensive today, you pay for rolls of film which add up over time. Despite this, the cost of film photography is oddly one of its charms. As well as the widely sought after film look, which many photographers who use digital photoshop to accomplish.

Photography has been an art form as well as being a way for people to document moments in life for over 170 years. Throughout its life, photography has been innovated to produce sharper images as well as be more portable and convenient. From changes to bodies, lens mounts, and the type of film stocks or digital sensors the cameras used. Before the turn of the century, and with it the change to megapixels, film was used to capture moments in life. Since the rise of digital, shops who developed film have closed their doors. Companies who produce film have also discontinued products such as film stocks. Digital photography seemed to be making film photography obsolete. Digital photography allows people to basically have unlimited rolls of film for free, taking only space off memory cards. Digital also allows consumers to not worry about spending money on getting their photos developed, and allows consumers to see their images immediately after taking them. Despite film photography being less convenient. The medium has seen new life with the youth and older generations coming back. So much so that Kodak, a big film manufacturer. Have decided to release an old film stock back to the market, such the case with Ektachrome.

I believe film photography is a medium which still has plenty of time left before it becomes completely wiped away by digital technology, and is still the best way to capture moments in life as well as being a form of artistic expression. Film photography is a more manual way of capturing and makes the photographer think more about his shots. When capturing on film you only have so many photos you can take before you have to change your role of film. This makes the photographer more aware of their composition, exposure, and focus. Another element that adds to these actions of having more caution is money. Every role of film cost you your hard earn cash. From three dollars a role to 10 dollars, and even all the way to 40 dollars. Each role also contains 24 to 36 exposures available. While this may draw some people away from film. Many consider it a great contribution to the medium.

Individuals who prefer digital over film may look at the task of developing daunting. Having to pay to see your photos can seem like a big waste of money. As a professional film developing service can cost 10 dollars or higher for each roll of film. The cost of developing isn't only a concern of those skeptical of film. As many film photographers have taken it upon themselves to develop and scan their own film, myself being one of these individuals because of its very cheap price. Developing your own film cuts the price of developing a roll a film into a dollar or two.

Despite film photography being a more intuitive medium some still prefer digital. Digital cameras have advanced over the few years they have been on the market. Expensive cameras have little to no noise on high iso's. Making clear photos possible at the darkest of situations. While the same iso on a film camera would have a sacrifice of having grain on the image. Film also has a limited iso as many manufacturers don’t develop ISOs past 800. Making photographers push film to get a visible image at the same iso as a digital camera, possibly causing a large decrease in quality depending on the type of film. Some of these individuals also prefer the convenience of digital. Being able to take a photo look at it immediately, edit it, and publish all in the same day or even in an hour. Some also enjoy the easier nature of film photography. As you can easily make your camera set your settings for you. As well as being able to check your images, to make any changes to your settings manually. Although having convenience in your life is nice. In photography I believe you sacrifice some fundamental properties of the art form when you use a digital camera, as a film camera forces you to go manual. With the most sought-after cameras being mechanical, having a light meter as the only electronic component if not damaged over the years.