Kat's Notebook

I have been an avid fan of film photography for the last couple of years. My friends have influenced me to try this hobby and I did, not knowing that it’ll bring out the artistic side of me. Digital cameras have long replaced film cameras due to its convenience and practicality. It’s nice to evaluate a picture immediately after taking it and manipulate them however you want it. It’s also easy to put it into the computer, or share it with friends, or archive it or print it. Because of the economy of digital cameras, I believe film photography has been relegated to an artistic function. Toy cameras, lomography, films – taking photos is pure fun and creative. For me, it brings out my creativity. I enjoy the simplicity of point-and-shoot cameras and taking a chance if what I’ve shot will turn out spectacular.

How I Started

My hobby started from seeing my friends’ wonderful pictures taken from their film cameras. I was amazed with what they have accomplished and I wanted the same too. My friend advised me to buy the Vivitar Ultra Wide Slim, which she also owned. It was cheap and took great pictures. I never like learning a lot of specifications of a camera, so I veer away from slr or anything like it. With the UWS, it was a simple point-and-shoot camera.  After that beginnings, I maniacally bought films from ebay – first, negative then graduating to slide films. I bring my vivitar with me to my travels because I’m more inspired to shoot nice landscapes. I also bring my digital camera whose purpose is for documenting my travels. I joined a Vivitar UWS group at flickr and enjoyed reading the forums and suggestions in taking pictures. Just recently I acquired a Blackbird Fly camera. The reasons I bought it were it looked cool and it can take 3 different frames (sprockets, normal, rectangular). I have already run 2 rolls with it and I’ll be posting it soon.

Getting Started

If you are interested to take up film photography as a hobby, here are some suggestions for getting started:

1. Be inspired!

Look at pictures taken from film cameras particularly lomography cameras. If it inspires you then you’re on your way to getting committed into the hobby. If not then stick with digital camera.

2. Start with what you have.

Your parents may own film cameras so search the attic. Film cameras need not to be expensive. Start with what you already own even though it’s a single-use film cameras bought from a drugstore. As someone wisely said, it’s what you can do with the camera that matters and not the kind of camera itself.

3. Research what you can do with your camera.

As I’ve mentioned, I have no patience to learn complicated settings of a camera. So I stick with point-and-shoot. Nonetheless, I borrowed photography books from the library to get me started on how to shoot pictures beautifully. I also join forums on tips with using my vivitar UWS. Photography is an art and learning and developing your creativity side is part of the package.

4. Join film photography groups.

These groups are community of artists, neophytes, and professionals. It’s a community where there’s sharing of knowledge, of inspiration, and of photographs. Such group can motivate you in your hobby and you can proudly post your pictures too! I subscribe to Flickr and join the Vivitar UWS and Blackbird Fly group.

5. Start with only one.

My friend suggested to me to take time to learn my UWS and to not buy a different kind of camera immediately. This advise served me well because the novelty of film photography can quickly fade when having different cameras at once. Using one camera at a time can instill a diligence and focus to learn about photography eg. what your camera can do, what angles to take, what lighting to have, etc.

6. Allot money for it.

Film photography can be expensive. Buying films, processing it and having it put to CD – it can set you back to 15USD. But hobbies are like that anyways…you have to spend for it and enjoy reaping the rewards!

7. Click away!

After you have your camera and film roll, go play with it. Have fun. Don’t get pressured to take great pictures but let yourself learn and develop your skill as you go along.

Happy clicking!

Related posts:

1. Blackbird Fly Camera
2. Tips to an Affordable Lomography lifestyle
3. Film reel
4. What is lomography?
5. Tricks for your lomo cam