Six Tips for Capturing Photographs on Film

Image courtesy of Kathleen Tierney

Anything worth doing is worth doing right. That’s why we put so much time into creating your favorite Apothic Wine blends. We understand and appreciate the time and effort it takes to perfect your art, whatever that may be. Today on Modern Dionysus, we’ll dive in to an art that may be old but still holds a certain alluring beauty — black and white film photography.

The modern conception of film photography has been around since the mid-1800s. Of course, the technology was quite different then, and the first photographs were required to sit inside the camera for several days of exposure before they could be processed and developed.

After over 150 years of practice, the process of taking and developing photographs has become much more efficient. So efficient, in fact, most people don’t use film at all anymore. While it may be a slightly antiquated practice, we can’t help but find it fascinating.

We’ve come up with a few tips to help you get started on your film photography adventure so you’re prepared when you stumble across that old camera box in your grandparents’ attic.

Image courtesy of Kathleen Tierney 

Tip #1: Be aware of lighting.

With black and white film photography, you can’t just lighten your subject with a few clicks of a mouse. While you’re taking your photograph, it’s important to understand how the light is illuminating your subject before you capture the moment. Also make sure to pay attention to the areas that are cast into even a slight shadow and adjust your subject accordingly. The best light for black and white photos is overcast or cloudy weather. These conditions give the right amount of light for exposure on the film. If it’s too bright out, your film risks the chance of being overexposed.

Tip #2: See the world in black and white.

When taking photographs with a film camera, picture your subject in black and white. It’s often hard to imagine away the color, but viewing the world in varying shades of gray can help accentuate areas of shadow in your photograph and allow you to adjust the lighting properly.

Tip #3: Follow the rule of thirds.

To make your photographs as interesting and inviting as possible, make sure you follow the rule of thirds. If you break your shot up into a three-by-three grid, your subject should fall on an intersection of the horizontal and vertical lines as shown in the image below.

Tip #4: Don’t zoom in.

Having a zoom lens at your disposal can be a useful tool, but nothing compares to getting up close and personal with your subject. Zooming in can lead to excess graininess in your photographs. What’s the best thing to do? Always take the extra step or two forward, even if it feels a little uncomfortable.

Tip #5: Steady your frame.

To help avoid blurring your photographs, take a deep breath and hold it in while you take your shot. Even normal breathing can throw off the photograph. It’s best to make sure your frame is as steady as possible and let go of the shutter release quickly.

Tip #6: Develop your own film.

If you have the opportunity, take a shot at developing your own film. Working in the dark room allows you to highlight and crop parts of your photograph as it’s being developed. It allows you to have the opportunity to truly make your photograph a unique work of art.

Image courtesy of Kathleen Tierney

There’s a certain depth to film photography that can’t be found anywhere else. Capturing beautiful moments in the grains of film takes more time and energy than digital, but it also takes the final product to a level of its own.

by: Apothic