Film still photography is a process of capturing images on film, which can then be printed or developed into negatives.
This differs from digital photography in that it uses traditional methods to capture and store images, whereas digital cameras use electronic sensors to record light as numbers rather than chemical reactions.
In order to create a film still, you will need:
A camera with manual settings (you can also use an SLR)
Film rolls–you’ll want one for every different scene you’re shooting so that you don’t have to waste time changing rolls during shoots!
A tripod and/or lighting equipment if necessary
The Benefits of Film Still Photography
The unique look of film.
Film has a very distinct look that can be hard to replicate in post-production, and it’s often more pleasing than digital images.
The archival value of film still photography.
Film is more durable than digital files, so you don’t have to worry about losing your photos if there’s an accident or disaster.
Cost savings with film still photography equipment and processing costs compared to digital cameras and software programs such as
The Challenges of Film Still Photography
The challenges of film still photography are numerous.
First, the lack of digital control over your image can be frustrating.
You will not be able to see the final product until you develop your film in a darkroom (or send it off for processing).
This means that you cannot make any changes after taking the shot and must rely on luck when it comes to composition and exposure settings.
Secondly, having access to a darkroom is essential you plan on shooting with film because all processing must be done there.
If you don’t have access to one at home or work then this might pose an issue since most labs will not process color negatives without them being submitted as black-and-white prints first–which requires another trip into town!
Choosing a Film Camera
There are many types of film cameras, but you don’t need to know them all.
Instead, focus on finding the right one for your needs.
Here are some things to consider when choosing a camera:
What type of photography do you want to do?
If you’re looking for something small and portable that can be used in low-light situations, then an SLR may be best suited for your needs.
However, if portability isn’t as important (or if you want something simpler), then an older rangefinder might work better for what you have in mind.
How much money do I want/can spend?
Cameras come with varying price tags depending on their age and condition; some cost hundreds while others go into five figures or more!
If money isn’t an issue then go ahead and splurge–but if budget constraints apply then stick within those limits instead of buying something too expensive just because it’s cool-looking;
otherwise there won’t be any left over cash when tax season rolls around again next year…
Film Developing Basics
Film developing is a process that involves the chemical development of film and photographic prints.
The chemicals are used to reverse the negative image (or “latent image”) into a positive image.
Developing can be done in either a darkroom or with automated equipment, depending on the type of film being processed.
The darkroom setup consists of several basic items:
A light source – this could be natural light or artificial lighting that’s been filtered through red or blue gels to create different effects on your images, such as softening shadows or creating an amber tone overall.
Film processing trays – these are usually rectangular plastic containers that hold one strip at a time during development; they must also have lids so you can put them in water without worrying about leaks!
Chemicals – for black-and-white films, developers include sodium sulfite (also known as pyrogallol), hydroquinone and metol;
color developers contain potassium bromide instead of sodium sulfite because it’s more effective at removing silver halides from unexposed areas during development.”
Choosing the Right Film
You’ll need to decide what type of film you want to use.
There are many different types of films, and each has its own characteristics.
The most important thing to consider when choosing a film is your budget and what kind of look you’re going for.
If you’re on a tight budget, it may be best to stick with black-and-white film until you can afford color (or vice versa).
Black-and-white photography is much cheaper than color because there are fewer chemicals involved in developing the image–and since all cameras were originally designed for black-and-white photography anyway, they tend not to be as expensive as their color counterparts either!
Shooting Techniques for Film Still Photography
The first thing you should do is set your camera to manual mode.
This will allow you to control the exposure settings yourself and get the best possible image quality out of your camera.
When shooting film still photography, photographers use two main settings: shutter speed and aperture (also known as f-stop).
The shutter speed controls how long light hits an image sensor or film.
The longer it stays there, the more light that reaches it–and vice versa.
Aperture is another way of saying “how big” or “small” a hole in your lens actually is;
this affects how much light passes through into the camera’s sensor or onto film during exposure time.
Editing Film Still Photos
Editing film still photos is a lot like editing digital photography.
You can make adjustments to color, contrast and exposure in the same way you would with a digital image.
There are some differences between working with film and working with digital images though.
For example, if you want to change the color of an object in your photo, it’s much easier to do so when you’re working with a digital image because you can use software to select that object and change its color without affecting anything else in the photo (this is called “selective editing”).
But if you’re using traditional film photography techniques where there’s no separation between objects in focus or out of focus (like shallow depth-of-field), then selective editing isn’t possible because everything will be out of focus anyway!
Printing Film Still Photos
Printing film still photos is a bit more complicated than printing digital images, but the results are worth it.
Printing your film still photos is not as simple as hitting “print” on your computer and waiting for the results to come out of the printer.
There are many factors that can affect how well your prints turn out, including what type of paper you use and whether or not you have access to professional equipment in order to get them printed professionally at all (and if so, how much that will cost).
Film Still Photography – Wrapping Up
In conclusion, film still photography is a great way to get started in the art world.
It’s also a great way to add some variety and creativity into your life.
The advantages of film still photography include:
- The ability to choose between different types of cameras (digital or analog),
- No need for an internet connection or data plan,
- You can share your photos with others by printing them out on paper or displaying them at exhibitions
