To use film; or not to use film.

Film photography has always been a part of me. I still cherish my collection of film cameras, including a Hasselblad 500cm, a Nikon F3 and F5, and a few others. So, it's not accurate to say that I abandoned it; I simply set it aside to explore the world of digital photography.

I'm not here to argue the merits of film photography. There is a time and place for film, and I do most of my work with clients using my digital gear.

Laughter by the window light

Shot with my Leica M7 and used Kodak Portra 400.

The resurgence of film photography is a trend that's hard to overlook. More and more vloggers, bloggers, and content creators are rediscovering the charm of these classic cameras, breathing new life into them.

Film photography handles highlights well; you have much more control over film photography, not just in the shooting but in processing the film.

Have you ever tried to emulate the grain that happens in film? I think digital technology could do it better, or perhaps I have not succeeded in imitating grain in digital photos. Back then, we used to find the best film to make the grain more apparent. Ah, how things have changed, lol. But I must admit, there's a certain charm to that grain that I haven't been able to replicate digitally.

Another reason I value film photography is the patience necessary to get the right shot. The patience necessary to wait for that moment is not allowed in the run-and-gun situation that digital photography allows these days.

Whether you dabble in film photography or not will always be your choice. I suggest that if you'd like to experiment, give it a try and see if it's for you. It isn't for everyone and is another whole learning curve.