Photography Basics - Getting Started With Film Photography

Compile all of the photographs in the world into one area, side by side, and you will have created a shape the size of Lebanon. Film photography technology has been developed over the course of over one hundred years, yet so few have taken the time to master it. Some argue that digital photography is threatening to make the humble roll of film extinct, but others believe that there will always be a small collection of fierce film 'die-hards' who will allow this art to live on. To join this exclusive group, you'll need to know some basics first.

To get started in film photography, you'll need a camera and some film.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not that hard to find a film camera, and many companies still manufacture them. What camera you buy will depend on how professional your photographs need to be - a disposable camera will work fine for 'happy snaps' (vacation photos), but professional photographers prefer more expensive cameras. Many recommend SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras as, in general, what you see through your camera prior to taking the photo is what your photograph will look like. Prior to the development of SLR, the 'viewfinder' that the photographer would look through to position his or her shot would show a slightly different image to what photograph would eventually be produced. Nikon, Canon and Olympus are all well-known manufacturers of film cameras.

Film can usually be bought at a supermarket. Black-and-white film might be slightly harder to find, although in my local supermarket, color and black-and-white film may be found side-by-side. The most common film gauge (width) of film used for still photography is 35 mm film. A quick look at Amazon.com indicates that a roll of 35 mm film can be acquired for just over US$5. A second consideration is the film speed, or sensitivity to light. It is generally agreed that a higher film speed equates to a poorer quality of photograph.

Once you've loaded up your film, you can generally just 'point and shoot' if you don't mind how your photograph will turn out. Remember to take light into account - unless you have a flash, indoor photographs of a dark room may turn out completely black! Don't forget to keep your camera still when taking photographs, as moving it whilst taking a picture may degrade its quality.

When you're all done with your photography, you have to develop your film. To do this, take your film to a processing shop, send it in to a mail-order film processing company or do it yourself.

Have fun!