As I stand on the cusp of a new year, 2025, surrounded by the many trappings of a world gone digital, I find myself more enamored than ever with the tactile, visceral experience of shooting my personal photography on film. In an era where smartphones can produce images of very good quality with mere point-and-shoot ease and digital cameras offer an unprecedented level of precision and control, it’s easy to wonder why anyone would still bother with the “antiquated” process of loading a roll of film, worrying about exposures and waiting for development.
Yet, for me, it’s precisely this deliberate, hands-on nature of film photography that continues to captivate and inspire me. The physical act and process of shooting film – the satisfying click of the shutter, the tactual sensation of the film advancing, the anticipation of waiting to see your shots come to life in the darkroom or lab – is a sensory experience that’s been lost in the digital age, in my humble opinion. With film, each shot is a considered, intentional decision – a commitment to capturing a moment in time, especially out on the streets.
You can’t simply delete a “mistake” or instantly review your shots; instead, you’re forced to slow down, think critically about your composition and trust your photographical instincts. This meditative quality of the process of shooting film is a major part of film’s enduring appeal for me. In a world that’s increasingly fast-paced and attention-deficit, shooting film is a rare opportunity to unplug, unwind and tap into a more contemplative state of one’s creative mind.
The aesthetic considerations are also a major and undeniable draw – the distinctive look and feel of film, with its unique grain structures, color palettes, and tonal curves. Whether you’re shooting black and white or color, film has a way of imbuing your images with a depth, texture and emotional resonance that’s difficult to replicate digitally. Ultimately, shooting film is a reminder that, even in the digital age, there’s still value in slowing down, taking the time to truly see the world while staying more connected to it and capturing it in a way that feels authentic, meaningful and real.
Would love to hear from you why you still shoot film.