Film photography has made a striking return, proving it’s far more than nostalgia. The Film Photography Guide you’re reading is designed as a complete resource — not only covering cameras and film stocks, but also creative approaches, technical skills, and inspiration to help you develop your craft.

Table of Contents

Whether you’re just starting with your first roll of 35mm or exploring medium and large format photography, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

If you’ve already read our other in-depth resources — such as the Ultimate Guide to Wildlife Photography and the Guide to Landscape and Seasonal Photography — this page connects seamlessly, forming part of our Photography Mastery Pillar Series.

Why Film Photography Still Matters

Film photography has never really disappeared; it simply shifted from mainstream to niche. What was once overshadowed by digital convenience has now evolved into a craft that photographers seek out for its distinct qualities.

Key reasons for film’s resurgence:

Tactile experience – loading film, winding the advance lever, and hearing the satisfying shutter click.
Unique aesthetics – grain, tonal richness, and subtle imperfections give character.
Mindful shooting – with only 24 or 36 frames, each shot demands thought.
Archival longevity – negatives stored properly can last a century or more.
Creative discipline – limitations fuel innovation and force you to grow as a photographer.

Many photographers also use film as a complement to digital, enjoying the slower process of film while maintaining digital workflows for client work.

Types of Film Formats

Film comes in various formats, each shaping how you approach your photography.

35mm Film

The most common and beginner-friendly format. Easy to load, widely available, and compatible with countless vintage cameras like the Canon AE-1 or Nikon FM2.

Medium Format (120 Film)

Favored for higher detail and larger negatives, medium format is used in cameras like the Zenza Bronica ETRSi or Hasselblad 500 series. The jump in quality is noticeable in both resolution and tonal depth.

Large Format

The pinnacle of detail and image control, though far less portable. Large-format cameras are used mainly for landscape, architecture, or fine-art photography.

Slide Film (Reversal Film)

Famous for saturated colors and contrast, but requires precise exposure. Slide film is less forgiving than negatives, making it a challenge but rewarding for vivid results.

Black & White Film

Timeless, versatile, and still the best format for learning the foundations of exposure and contrast. Films like Ilford HP5 Plus or Kodak Tri-X 400 remain industry standards.

Choosing Your First Film Camera

One of the joys of film photography is exploring the variety of cameras available.

Classic 35mm SLRs

Affordable, reliable, and versatile. Options include:

Canon AE-1
Nikon FM2
Pentax K1000

Rangefinders

Smaller and quieter, rangefinders like the Leica M6 or Canon Canonet are great for street photography.

Medium Format Cameras

For detail and quality, the Bronica ETRSi (used in our Silchester Roman Wall project) or Hasselblad 500 series are excellent choices.

Toy Cameras

Cameras like the Holga or Diana offer creative unpredictability with vignetting, blur, and light leaks.

Twin-Lens Reflex (TLR)

The Rolleiflex and Yashica TLRs are iconic for square-format medium film photography.

Kentmere 100 35mm Black and White Film (24 Exposures)

£5.50

Highly recommended and budget-friendly – Kentmere 100 35mm black and white film with fine grain and broad exposure latitude. Ideal for everyday shooting and beginners in analog photography.

2 in stock

Exploring Popular Film Stocks

Each film stock has a unique “look,” influencing color, contrast, and mood.

Kodak Tri-X 400 – punchy contrast and iconic black-and-white grain.
Ilford HP5 Plus – versatile, forgiving, and pushable.
Kodak Gold 200 – warm tones, perfect for everyday shooting.
Kentmere 100/400 – budget-friendly options with decent sharpness.
Fomapan 200 – European-made film with distinctive tonality.
Lomography Lady Grey – experimental, fun, and moody.

? Check out my Wildlife Photography Guide for examples of how film stocks compare in natural light.

Film Photography Guide,Popular Film Stocks,Challenges of Shooting Film,Developing and Scanning Your Film,Choosing Your First Film Camera

Techniques for Shooting Film

Shooting film requires a slightly different mindset than digital.

Key techniques include:

Sunny 16 Rule – set aperture to f/16 and shutter speed to match ISO in bright sun.
Bracketing – take multiple exposures to safeguard against errors.
Push/Pull Processing – deliberately under/overexpose and adjust during development.
Filters – yellow or red filters for B&W, polarizers for landscapes.
Manual Focusing – sharpen your skills with practice.

Film encourages discipline and helps you understand exposure on a deeper level.

Developing and Scanning Your Film

You can either develop film yourself or send it to a lab.

Home Development

Black & white film is the easiest to process at home with basic chemicals.
Requires a changing bag, reels, tank, and chemicals.
Affordable long-term if you shoot regularly.

Lab Development

Ideal for color (C-41) or slide (E-6) processing.
Labs also offer scanning services for digital workflow integration.

Scanning

Options include:

Flatbed scanners (Epson V600)
Dedicated film scanners
DSLR/mirrorless scanning setups

Digital files make sharing and printing much easier while keeping negatives archived. (See my early attempts at Film Slide Scanning with a Digital camera)

Kentmere 200 35mm Black and White Film (24 Exposures)

£5.50

Highly recommended and budget-friendly – Kentmere 35mm black and white film with fine grain and broad exposure latitude. Ideal for everyday shooting and beginners in analog photography.

1 in stock

Film Photography Guide and Creative Fil Projects

Creative Film Projects

Film opens doors to unique, personal projects.

One Roll, One Story – challenge yourself to capture a theme in 36 exposures.
Seasonal Diaries – document changing landscapes over the year (as in our Landscape & Seasonal Guide).
Double Exposures – layer two images in-camera for dreamlike effects.
Expired Film Experiments – embrace unpredictable colors and textures.
Mindful Shooting – use film to slow down and reconnect with the act of photography.

Printing and Hybrid Workflows

Film doesn’t stop at the negative. Printing offers another layer of creativity.

Darkroom Printing – traditional methods like dodging, burning, and split-grade contrast.
Hybrid Workflow – scan negatives, edit digitally, and print with inkjet or professional labs.
Creative Outputs – zines, photo books, and gallery prints.

Challenges of Shooting Film

Film isn’t without obstacles, but that’s part of the experience.

Costs – film, development, and scanning add up.
Limited Exposures – only 24 or 36 shots per roll.
No Instant Feedback – mistakes aren’t obvious until after development.
Gear Weight – carrying multiple rolls and cameras can be demanding.

Yet, overcoming these challenges strengthens your creativity. Listen to a Podcast about Film Vs Digital

Film Photography and the Wider Journey

Film photography isn’t isolated — it links with broader photographic skills.

Wildlife projects (see Norway Wildlife Photography: Arctic Encounters)
Seasonal landscape work (see Guide to Landscape and Seasonal Photography)
Story-driven personal projects

Each cluster builds into a holistic understanding of photography, allowing you to draw inspiration across genres.

Film Photography Guide Conclusion

The Complete Film Photography Guide has shown you that film is more than nostalgia — it’s a living, evolving craft. From choosing your first camera to experimenting with film stocks, developing at home, and exploring creative projects, film photography offers a tactile, timeless, and rewarding journey.

Whether you’re a digital photographer curious about slowing down, or a film enthusiast exploring deeper projects, this guide is your foundation.

Film is alive, vibrant, and endlessly inspiring. Pick up a roll, load your camera, and start your journey today.

The Film Photography Guide begins with understanding why this medium has made such a powerful comeback. Once seen as obsolete in the digital age, film has regained its place in the hearts of photographers around the world. Whether you’re just loading your first roll of 35mm, exploring medium format for incredible detail, or returning to a vintage camera for the nostalgia, film delivers a tactile, timeless, and creative experience that digital photography can’t truly replicate.

This comprehensive guide will explore the essentials of film photography—from choosing cameras and film stocks to shooting techniques, developing, and creative project ideas—while connecting you to related articles in this cluster for deeper dives.

The Complete Film Photography Guide : Techniques, Cameras, and Creative Inspiration