My Journey into Film Photography
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When I started in photography I barely used film cameras. The closest I came was the disposable point-and-shoot cameras, or a Polaroid, no manual settings to tinker with. After using digital cameras for many years I’ve finally been presented with the opportunity to do film photography, and I really couldn’t be more excited about it!
Why now?
It’s funny, the opportunity presented itself to me, but I also think film photography is something I need in my life right now. You see, i’ve been recovering from a serious case of burnout at the end of 2024. I've haven’t felt particularly creative since then. I’ve gone out to do photography a few times, but I haven’t done anything that has really excited me this year, I think because of the burnout.
When I got with my digital camera I can take as many shots as I want until my memory cards fill up. That could be 4000+ photos! But with film, I need to slow down, take my time, really evaluate my composition. Ask myself, is this the shot I want to take? In single roll of 35mm film I only 36 opportunities. I can’t take a bunch of shots and simply hope that one might be a banger.
The Camera
Before I tell you about the camera I need to tell you its origin. My wife recently started a new job. One of her new coworkers was having a birthday, so my wife use one of my greeting cards and wrote and hand written birthday greeting. When her coworker received the card she said that he was moved. The photo on the card, of a maple farm with a tractor coming down the road, brought a lot of great feelings and emotions. He remarked that whomever took the photo clearly knew what they were doing. My wife explained that it was me, her husband.
He remembered that he had an old film camera tucked away that he hadn’t used for decades. He originally purchased the camera in the 80’s. He was member of the US Coast Guard and would be taking a trip to the Arctic. He bough the camera, and some accessories, so he could document his trip and remember it well. After his trip to the Arctic he said he used it a few more times and then put it away. it’s been in storage ever since.
After seeing my photo he felt compelled to dig it out storage and he offered it to me. He said he’d rather see it get used and appreciated than continue to sit, packed away, in his home.
Knowing where this camera came from and how it came to me I am absolutely excited, and honored, to continue it’s journey, and begin my journey into film photography.
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The camera is the Canon AE-1 Program. It entered the market in 1981, and it is one of the first cameras that had a fully automatic mode. It would make all of the decisions for the photographer so the photographer could focus on their subject. It also has a manual mode so the settings can be manipulated, but the camera will still make recommendations for the best exposure. It’s still a very popular camera today, as is it’s predecessor (the AE-1) as one that students and new comers to film alike use to learn film photography.
After getting the camera I brought it to a local camera shop and they worked with me to look it over to make sure it was still in working condition. I was told it’s actually in mint condition and ready to go! After giving it a simple cleaning, I was shown how to load film (again, I’ve never done it!) and I’m now working my way through my very first roll of film.
The first roll
As of today, I’m about half way through my first roll of film. Once I complete the roll and get it developed I’ll be sure to share the images here, and the story behind the images.
