I’ve played with film, on and off, over the years. But recently, I’ve wanted to shoot more often.
Digital photos pile up… thousands of photos sit in folders on my hard drive collecting dust. But film does the opposite. Every shot has a small financial sting, so you actually care what you point it at. Not in a precious way, just in a “don’t be wasteful” way.
Having said that, I’m not looking for perfect images either. I’m collecting honest ones from trips away, events, and nights with friends. These moments are really fun to look back when they’re on film.
Right now I’m using an Olympus Infinity Quartzdate, made in Japan, with a very capable 35mm f/2.8 lens. I bought it up on eBay a few years ago for about £50. It’s a humble little point-and-shoot, but that’s exactly why I love it. It’s lightweight, durable, and brilliantly simple at doing its job.
I regularly use Kodak Gold 200 because it’s cheap, and pretty easy to get hold of compared to Portra or other film stocks. Warm skin tones, decent colour, and (sometimes) forgiving in mixed light.
I take fewer photos and I remember moments more clearly because I had to commit to them. Shooting with film will expose your habits and your attention. And honestly, that’s why I keep coming back to it.
