Film vs. Digital Photography Which is Better?
Having grown up in an era where digital photography did not even exist yet, I have had my fare share of working with both film and digital photography. I would not be who I am today without film - it gave me a greater understanding of working in manual mode that I know I would not have from just working with digital. At this point, the mechanics of exposure are almost engraved into my DNA because of film.
(Left: Lomography 35mm | Right: Captured Digitally with a Canon camera)
The Look of Your Photographs Film vs. Digital
Digital photography has come a long, long way and you can style your photos almost any way imaginable, but for me, there is nothing quite like film. It’s in the grain. There is this richness that it has. It feels old and sometimes you can get some really happy accidents that you can’t get with digital.
My personal favorite is that first shot on the roll. It doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does its magic. You get this split shot (half exposed and half not exposed), you can visually see where the line is drawn - and it looks like its on fire.
Here’s one in black and white too.
There is a certain element that is unknown with film that makes it exciting. Don’t get me wrong, digital looks great too - but if I had to choose one or the other just based on the look of it, film would win me over every day of the week.
Instant Gratification vs. Waiting for Your Film to get Developed
There is something so great about knowing that the photograph that you captured is going to look just right. There is no greater way of knowing that than in the now. Digital cameras do a great job of obtaining that instant gratification by being able to see it directly on the screen.
With film, you sometimes have to wait days, weeks, or longer to see the results. It takes you so far away from the moment of the now, that when you finally get to see it, it takes you back to the memory of what was - and that is what I think is the best part about film. You forget all that was, and it takes you back to that moment in a nostalgic way.
Sure you could do the same with digital, and there are some digital cameras that don’t have screens these days (like the Camp Snap camera). But the majority of them do have photo preview screens.
(Left: 35mm Film | Right: Captured Digitally with Canon)
Exposing 35mm Film vs. Digital Images
They are complete opposites! With film, you want to overexpose a little bit more and burn that negative so that you get more details from the shadows. With digital photography, you want to underexpose more so that you don’t blow out the highlights.
Its just something to keep in mind. I don’t think that how you expose your photos weighs into is film better, or is digital better? But its something that you should just be aware of.
The Cost of Film vs. Digital Photography
There is no doubt that film will end up costing you more in the long run. It really does add up with the cost per roll these days being anywhere from $8+ (and that’s on the lower side) plus developing fees (aprox. $22/roll). Digital is the way to go from a cost perspective.
(Left and Right: Both Film)
Which is better: film photography or digital photography?
This is really hard for me to say directly, because it does depend on your subject and what you plan to use it for. Also, I am not you. But if I had to choose between one or the other, it would be that film is better.
I guess that’s just the 1985 version of me. I grew up with it. I love how nostalgic it is, I love the look of it, I love that the moment between capturing it and seeing the product is so far removed from one another. Memories feel richer on film.
That is not to say that I don’t love digital, because I do and I use that all the time too. But they are just two completely different things. Digital cameras give you more flexibility too - especially with switching out the ISO on the fly (with film you have to keep it around the recommended ISO range from the box).
(Left: 35mm Film | Right: Captured Digitally with Canon)
Film Photography vs. Digital Photography and where its headed
I think one thing that I have noticed lately is more people are getting back into film photography - or just starting to learn more about it. As everything is pushing more towards the AI generation it feels like so many people are wanting to take a step back. It’s kind of nice knowing that too. There is definitely a place for both, film and digital photography.
(Self Portrait with Lomography 35mm FIlm)
