Beginner's Guide To Film Photography

So You Want to Shoot Film? Here’s Everything You Need to Know.

"No place is boring, if you've had a good night's sleep and have a pocket full of unexposed film."

- Robert Adams

If you’ve been curious about film photography but don’t know where to start, you’re not alone!  This guide is for you: someone new to the world of 35mm film, who wants to learn what it’s all about, how it works, and why it might be worth trying.

There’s something different about film photography — something slower, more hands-on, more deliberate.  Film asks you to pause, think, and commit to each frame.  It doesn’t show you the photo right away, and that’s kind of the point.

A (Very) Brief History of Film Photography

Film photography has been around since the 1800s, but it really took off in the 20th century.  For decades, it was how every photo was made - family vacations, school portraits, iconic magazine covers, all captured on rolls of celluloid film.  Then came the digital revolution.  Fast forward to today, and film is having a comeback.  Why?  Because it feels different.  It’s hands-on.  Slower.  Imperfect in all the right ways.

"The camera makes you forget you're there.  It's not like you are hiding but you forget, you are just looking so much."

- Annie Leibovitz

Types of Film Cameras:  What’s the Difference?

Here's a quick guide to the kinds you’ll come across — including a few you’ll find in our shop.

Point and Shoot Cameras
These are the easiest to use.  They focus and expose automatically — you just aim and shoot. Great options from our collection include the Olympus Stylus Zoom 140, Canon Sure Shot Owl, and Nikon One Touch Zoom 90S. They're compact, reliable, and beginner-friendly.  Most of these include zoom lenses, but several ultra simple cameras do not.

SLRs (Single-Lens Reflex)
These are more hands-on, but they offer greater creative control.  If you want to learn the fundamentals of photography — shutter speed, aperture, focus — start here.  We carry the Canon Rebel G, Canon Rebel 2000, and Nikon EM, all excellent SLRs that allow for full manual control.  The Canon cameras even include a zoom lens and flash.

How to Pick Your First Camera

Think about how you’ll use it.

• Do you want a camera that just works with minimal fuss?
  • Go for something like the Canon Sure Shot 60 Zoom or Fujifilm Discovery 270 Zoom.
• Want to learn more technical skills and grow as a photographer?
  • Try the Nikon EM or a Canon Rebel model.

Some questions to ask yourself:

Do I want full auto, or am I excited to learn manual settings?

If the answer is auto, go with a point and shoot.  If you want to try more manual settings, go with an SLR.

Will I carry this camera around daily, or use it occasionally?

If you are looking for a camera to bring everywhere with you, try a smaller camera such as the Canon Sure Shot Owl or the Olympus Trip 500.  If zoom is important to you, try the Canon Sure Shot 60 Zoom.

No pressure — there’s no perfect answer.  That’s part of the fun!

"A good photograph is knowing where to stand."

- Ansel Adams

Choosing Your First Roll of Film

Film comes in different types and speeds.  Here’s how to make sense of it:

Color or Black & White?

Color Film gives you natural-looking tones and is great for everyday shooting.

Try Kodak Gold 200 for warm, sunny tones.

Try Kodak UltraMax 400 for more flexibility in varied lighting.

Black & White Film has a classic look and adds an artistic flair to your images.

Try Ilford HP5 Plus 400 — it’s easy to use, versatile, and widely loved.

ISO (Film Speed)

ISO is a measure of a film’s sensitivity to light.

• ISO 100–200:  Best for bright daylight.
• ISO 400:  A good all-purpose choice.
• ISO 800+:  For low-light or indoor shooting.

As a beginner, you’ll get great results with a 400-speed film.  It gives you flexibility without too much grain.

How to Shoot a Roll of Film

Once you’ve loaded your film, your job is simple: observe and shoot.

A few tips:

• Take your time.  Film is limited — usually 24 or 36 exposures.  Make each one count.
• Don’t worry about perfection.  Some of your photos will be too dark, too light, or out of focus.  That’s part of the process.
• Try shooting a walk around your neighborhood.  Capture light, texture, people, places.  Film slows you down in the best way.
  

Developing and Scanning Your Film

When you finish your roll, you’ll need to get it developed.

There are a few options:

• Local Labs:  Some cities still have walk-in photo labs that handle film.  They are an excellent option when you want to get your film back fast.
• Mail-In Labs:  You send your film in an envelope, and a few days later, you get scans via email.  This is a great option if you live in a rural area or a town without a local lab.
• DIY Developing:  A fun but more advanced path — especially for black-and-white film.

Most labs will scan your negatives to digital files so you can easily view, print, or share your photos online.

Why Try Film Photography?

It slows you down.  With only 36 frames per roll, you shoot with intention.

It teaches you photography.  Even with a simple camera, you start to see light, composition, and timing in a new way.

It’s unpredictable.  Every roll is a surprise.  Mistakes turn into happy accidents.  Some shots don’t work — others take your breath away!

Most of all: it’s fun.

"For me, the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity."

- Henri Carter-Bresson

Final Thoughts

You don’t need expensive gear, deep knowledge, or perfect technique to get started.  All you need is a basic camera, a roll of film, and some curiosity.

If you’re still unsure where to begin, try this: pick a point-and-shoot camera, load a roll of Kodak UltraMax or Ilford HP5, and go for a walk.  Let the process surprise you.

Your first roll won’t be perfect — and that’s exactly why it will be memorable!