Film or Digital: Which Is Right for You?

Convenience

When it comes to learning photography basics quickly and easily, it doesn’t get much better than digital cameras. Modern mirrorless and DSLR cameras are equipped with a range of features that make it simple for beginners to get their head around things like photo composition rules and shutter speed. 

Rather than being intimidated by things like manual photography settings, beginners can simply put their camera into “Auto” mode, start shooting, and worry about perfecting their technique later. 

Speed 

One of the best things about digital photography is its immediacy. Unlike with film cameras, there’s no need to wait days or even weeks for your prints to come back from the photo lab to see the results - all you need to do is check your LCD screen! If you’re not happy with the results, you can simply recompose and shoot another one.

Creative freedom 

In addition to convenience, speed, and ease of use, modern digital cameras give you a chance to control every aspect of your image. Upload your photos to your computer or tablet and tweak everything from the exposure levels to the composition, saturation, and hue. Make as many adjustments as you want, safe in the knowledge that you can always revert to the original file if you change your mind.

Unique aesthetic

There’s no denying that film photography gives you a unique, lo-fi aesthetic that’s hard to replicate. Though many smartphone apps allow you to add grain, colour casts, and light leaks that emulate the look and feel of film photos, they’re never quite accurate. For this reason, it’s always best to just use an actual film camera.

Improve your photography skills 

Because every roll of film only includes a limited number of shots, film photography forces you to slow down and consider each shot carefully before pressing the shutter. In turn, taking the time to really focus on your composition and lighting will help you take better photos.

Master the basics

The majority of film cameras, including modern film cameras, don’t have an LCD screen. Instead, they’ve only got a viewfinder, meaning you’ve got to lift the camera up to eye level and pay close attention to your framing. This additional step is a great opportunity to master a range of basic photography skills including composition, choosing a subject, and deciding what to crop out.

1. Start with an instant camera

Starting with an instant camera is a great, low-risk way to dip your toe into the waters of film photography. Models like the Instax instant camera or classic Polaroid allow you to view your results in a matter of moments, so you don’t need to wait for labs to process your film. Plus, these cameras are simple to operate and have minimal settings, most of which are similar to those of your smartphone or digital camera.

2. Choose the right film

Unlike with digital cameras, film cameras mean you have to choose whether you’ll shoot in black and white or in colour - and stick with it. When choosing your camera film, always take this factor into account.

At the same time, be mindful of the ISO, or speed, or your roll of film. ISO can easily be adjusted on a digital camera, but can’t be changed on a film camera: Once you’ve picked one, you simply have to finish the entire roll. As a rule of thumb, ISO 200 is a good choice for shooting in bright outdoors settings, while ISO 800 is ideal for indoor environments. Beginners shooting both indoors and outdoors may want to opt for versatile ISO 400 film instead.

3. Invest in a film scanner

This nifty photography accessory allows you to digitise your film photos, making it the perfect way to experience a blend of classic and modern technology. They’re also the best way to share your analogue shots on social media! When choosing a scanner, bear in mind that dedicated negative scanners will generally give you a higher image quality, while flatbed scanners can also be used to scan documents and other printed material.