With digital photography more accessible than ever, is film worth it? I picked up my film camera and shot my first roll of black and white film in over 10 years.
After a decade of hiatus from black and white filming, my husband, David, challenged me to shoot a few reels of film. David constantly encouraged me to explore unfamiliar camera settings to keep me confident, and this time, he challenged me to take portraits using Canon A-1 and Ilford HP5 film. David bought a Canon A-1 years ago on eBay, but I’ve never used it before. It just sits on a dusty shelf, so it deserves a little fun.
As a photography alumnus who used to shoot regularly on everything from 35mm to large format cameras, I was amazed at how inexperienced I had become, but I was very impressed. Have fun with it and take the opportunity to explore film photography and go back to my roots. After all, it was my love of film photography that started my entire photography career.
The Canon A-1 set the tone for the shoot, inspiring the desire to capture the essence of the late 70’s. I aimed to instill in my photos authentic and rustic emotions. , knowing that black and white photography has a unique way of evoking meaning and depth. For my backdrop, I chose a textured wall on one side of a building in downtown Richmond, Virginia with vertical lines.
Aside from fighting the blazing sun, my biggest challenge was remembering to switch between shots. I was out of reality! It took a little while to get my rhythm back and overcome the fatigue, but in the end, I found my groove. Our model, Hannah, delivered some Penny Lane vibes and really brought these portraits to life. Shooting in public places is always interesting because of the reaction you get from people passing by. Lots of people stopped to see what we were doing while taking pictures.
I really love the feel of the Canon A-1 in my hand, the crisp sound of the shutter and the image quality it produces. Ilford HP5 black and white film is an ideal combination. The resulting images exude a rich tone and have the desired raw aesthetic I would expect with its noticeable graininess.
It’s been too long since I took pictures with film. After shooting, doubts began to creep in. I was worried that none of the photos would be successful, let alone whether the photos would live up to my expectations. There’s an anxiety-inducing waiting game when it comes to movies. I think that’s part of the appeal of film photography. It creates an additional movie. Will any of the photos turn out well? Thankfully every photo came out and I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed the results.
I was a bit hesitant at first, but taking pictures with the Canon A-1 ignited my passion for film photography. I fell in love with this medium again. This experience reminded me that no matter how much I love digital photography, there is something special about film that cannot be compared.
So grab your old film camera and snap something!
