Film Photography and Travel
Let’s face it. In today’s world, we love instant gratification. How many times do you see someone take a photo, then immediately look at their LCD screen, or phone, to see how the photo turned out? I am just as guilty as anyone. The ease, and accessibility, of digital photography, has turned the photography world upside down several times over.
It is easier to carry a few memory cards, than lugging around multiple rolls of film. Then, there is the cost of developing the film, then scanning it for a digital file. I must admit to having more digital cameras than necessary from point and shoot cameras to a medium format digital, and everything in between.
As much as I love digital, and its ease, there is a definite difference in quality. When I use the word quality, I am referring to depth, richness in colours, and tone. Even with my Hasselblad H5D-50, these qualities just aren’t there. This is not to say the H5D is not an amazing camera. It is, but it simply can not produce what film can.
So, I asked myself – “What if … what if I would also carry a film camera in addition to my digital with me wherever I travel in the world? So, this is exactly what I have been doing. Film photography and travel go hand in hand.
I have learned using film makes me a more thoughtful photographer. Why? Because I do not want to waste a shot. If this makes me a better photographer, I don’t know and will allow others to judge this. All I know is I put more thought into focusing and composition. More than this, I take the time to visualise a photograph before clicking the shutter.
As a gentleman, give film photography a go if you haven’t already. Contemporary images show us a gentleman carries a Hasselblad or Leica, but does the man in the photo know how to use analogue? Film cameras are more than an accessory; they are well-made works of art that will help you create quality images.
In the photo above you can see some of the film cameras I use Wista RF 4×5 (which I am about to use a lot more!), Hasselblad 500cm, Hasselblad SWC, Hasselblad XPan, Mamiya 7, Mamiya 7II, Mamiya RZ67 Pro II, and the Leica M7. Not shown is an original Rolleiflex, Yashica-A medium format, Yashica 35mm, and an array of plastic Lomo cameras. I’m a guy. If you’re a guy and reading this, you’ll understand the love for gadgets in almost any form.
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